39 blitzking

[Ozhunter81]

Hello all, thanks for adding me. Im from Australia and i run a tikka varmint .204. My question is im wanting to try the 39 sierra blitzkings but i cant find load data for these projectiles, would i just follow loads for 40 grain projectiles?

[skipper]

If you look hard enough you'll find it stashed away in several places. This comes from AccurateShooter.com, some of it even provided by our very own Silverfox. Hopefully he will chime in. The standard disclaimer applies, reduce your starting load by 10% and proceed with caution.
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39SierraBlitzking.jpg (26.57 KiB) Viewed 11984 times

I have had a lot of luck with Alliant RL-10x in the past. Just sayin'

[skipper]

On this forum under the heading Loading the .204 Ruger towards the top of the page there is a topic called Favorite Loads where more can be found. Use the search feature with the phrase "39 sierra"

[skipper]

Look what I found while searching Sierra's website about 39 SBKs. Of course, this occurred last summer.

SierraBulletRecall.jpg (64 KiB) Viewed 11981 times

[triggerfingers]

Here a chart

[Ozhunter81]

Thanks for that mate. Much appreciated

[PaddyD]

Today I tried some of the 39 gn Bltitzkings. I can't say they did real bad, but nowhere as well as the 32 gn Vmax's have done in the past. Best I got was 1/2" @100M. I used IMR 4166 and started at the bottom and went up in .5 gn increments till max. Seems as the faster I pushed them the larger the groups got.
I'm Going to try some slower powder with them and try again. I'm shooting a Savage 12 LRPV. Does anyone have any idea why this rifle seems to dislike the 39 and 40 gn bullets?
In the past it has done very well with 32 Vmax . Considering how short even the 40 gn bullets are I can't believe my 12 twist barrel isn't fast enough, especially at 204 velocities.

[Rick in Oregon]

Does anyone have any idea why this rifle seems to dislike the 39 and 40 gn bullets?
In the past it has done very well with 32 Vmax . Considering how short even the 40 gn bullets are I can't believe my 12 twist barrel isn't fast enough, especially at 204 velocities.

Most likely a twist issue; have you actually measured the twist to be certain of what you really have? It's not uncommon for the twist to vary from factory spec as much as almost a full turn, so best to check that item first.

If a 12-twist barrel is not shooting the 39gr SBK well, then sumthin's wrong, as every 204R I'm aware of with a 12-twist will shoot that bullet well, if not reasonably well, including my four 204R rifles. Powder choice of course could be the issue also. My guns all run very well with the 39gr using RL-10X. A bit dirty, but groups in the .2's make it worth the cleaning efforts, and the rats fly all day.

[triggerfingers]

I’m even shooting the 39’s in my 20 Vartarg with great success. Sierra Bullets in their newest reloading book even has load data for the 20 Vartarg in both bullet weights...

[PaddyD]

Haven't checked actual twist rate . Just going by what Savage says. This rifle will shoot 32 Vmax's into tiny tiny little holes @ 100 yds, but regardless of powder, seating depths it struggles to get under 1/2" for 5 shots. It is the same with the 40 V max. If it was actually a bit slower than the 12 twist it is advertised at, logic would make me think that higher velocity would add more centrifugal stability,, right? With both bullets and several powders it has shown to be just the opposite. The faster I drive them, the wider they group. I believe they are stabilized though as they cut perfect little circles in the paper. Maybe this barrel just doesn't like them. I did just pick up a lb of 10x and will try working up a load with it before I give up. Not that it would be the same with my Savage, but what was your sweet spot with the R10x? Are you also seating to the book length of 2.260"

[Bill K]

I’m even shooting the 39’s in my 20 Vartarg with great success. Sierra Bullets in their newest reloading book even has load data for the 20 Vartarg in both bullet weights...

The 39 grain Sierra BK has long been a good bullet in the 20 VT. So it is nice to learn that Sierra has added it to their reloading book. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

What was your sweet spot with the R10x? Are you also seating to the book length of 2.260"

No, not loading to book length. Loading for a custom match chamber with comparator OAL of 2.006"; just kissing the lands. You cannot reach the lands with any factory 204 barrel, so no sense trying.

I'd try loading a bit longer to see if it makes any difference, but certainly no shorter. Have you checked that crown? That rifle should be shooting much better than you report. I'm no Savage fan as most here know, but we all know they shoot better than they should....sumthin's wrong there.....

[PaddyD]

What was your sweet spot with the R10x? Are you also seating to the book length of 2.260"

No, not loading to book length. Loading for a custom match chamber with comparator OAL of 2.006"; just kissing the lands. You cannot reach the lands with any factory 204 barrel, so no sense trying.

I'd try loading a bit longer to see if it makes any difference, but certainly no shorter. Have you checked that crown? That rifle should be shooting much better than you report. I'm no Savage fan as most here know, but we all know they shoot better than they should....sumthin's wrong there.....

Crown is fine and it shoots 32 vmax's into the high teens to low 2's @ 100 yds., seated to the book length of 2.250" so they're jumping a mile with no issues. It just seems to really struggle with the 39 and 40's.

[PaddyD]

Well today I loaded the erst of my 39g SBK's. Used CRE223 in 3 g increments from bottom to top. Did the same with R10x. STILL nothing under 1/2" I think I'm giving up on these in this rifle. It's a tack driver with 32's, but nowhere near as accurate with 39 or 40's.

[Rick in Oregon]

Well there, Paddy, I believe you own the very first 204 rifle I'm aware of that will not shoot the 39gr SBK. And especially a Savage that won't shoot 'em!

At least you can now rest with the knowledge that it's good to go with the 32's. Not all is lost, you get more speed AND accuracy....what's not to like? Go shoot it next season in the field with the 32's, then try the 39's again after about 1K rounds downrange. It may surprise you. Good luck.