204 and the three "4895 " powders

[Steve V]

Finally , with good weather, I got out today to do some shooting at paper and got to really get a feel for the new (Rifle Basix) trigger on my Ruger 77 VT.
While going over my load development for this gun, I noticed that I have used all 3 of the "4895 " powders; those being IMR 4995, H4895 and Accurate 2495; so I thought it would be interesting to put them over the chronograph to see how they compare. I am using Hornady brass, Federal 205 primers and Sierra 32 gr BlitzKings, all seated the same oal. What I did here, I DON'T RECCOMEND without working up to it with your gun. All three loads are pretty much a full case of powder. IMR and H4895 loads are 29.5 gr and AA2495 is 29.0 grns. The results:

IMR4895:
3913
4008
3976
4005
3976
Avg: 3975 sd38

H4895:
4275
4197
4267
4275
4288
Avg: 4260 sd 36


Here's the interesting one. I never had numbers come up like this before.
Accurate 2495:
4130
4130
4108
4088
4088
Avg 4108 sd 21

Don't know if this helps anybody out, but its been something I've been wanting to do for awhile just to satisfy my curiosty

[Rick in Oregon]

Steve: Interesting. Can you give us group sizes for each respective powder used? Velocity is good, but accuracy is everything.

[Steve V]

Rick, as soon as I logged of, I knew that your question would be the first thing asked. All three grouped right around 5/8" with H4895 grouping at .600. This was going to be another thread, but I'll ask it here. The size of the groups horizonally is close to a quarter inch; the vertical stringing is where the size gets bigger. I know when my two Sakos do the vertical stringing thing, its time to check the action screws. But I've tightened down the actionscrews on the Ruger and still get the stringing. The front trigger guard screw is tightened just snug enough to keep it in place. Any ideas?
Since first posting , I shot the H4895 load again except using a Remington 7.5 br primer and the exact same brass from before. Gained 42 fps , and shrank the group just a tiny bit.

[Va varminter]

I shoot the H4895 in my 04 and my best group is .112". But it looks like the AA powder velocities are very close together. I don't know a lot, but it seems the consistency of the AA powder will give you the best grouping.

[jo191145]

I do not know all the ins and outs of getting Rugers to shoot. Its most likely an issue of the gun that can be corrected or a hard front rest. Maybe.

Before doing any major mods.
Try seating your bullets closer to the lands. Assuming your jumping a fair distance in that Ruger.
Five at .005 more and another five at .010 over your current seating depth.
See if the vertical tightens up.

The "Old Rule" in a proven gun.
Vertical groups= Move closer to the lands
Horizontal = Move away from the lands

Usually "The Rule" suggested to up the powder slightly when moving closer and vice versa.
Just try the slight seating depth change for now. I've seen it work numerous times.