First of all, let me say thanks for your patients. I didn’t mean to leave everyone hanging. I just wanted to be absolutely certain of my results before I posted. I actually shot my first group in the 0’s a couple of weekends ago. Just one group though, while load developing, so I was very apprehensive about saying anything because it could have been a fluke. I wanted to make sure the rifle could do it again before I started jumping up and down. This last weekend I did it again. Now, I’m sure it wasn’t a fluke. One group measured .288 and the other a whopping .272. When I subtract .196 for the actual hole size that leaves group sizes of .092 and .076. I don’t have any other way of measuring my groups so these are probably not perfectly scored targets. To me, it doesn't matter whether or not these groups are perfectly scored. They really impressed me.
I was shooting the 35 gr. Bergers with 26.4 - 26.5 gr. of Benchmark, Norma brass and CCI BR-4 primers. I did increase the neck tension from the .224 bushing to the .223 bushing and increase the seating depth so that the bullets were jammed into the lands .015. (Thanks, Mr. GH Jacobs) That helped reduce my ES but, it’s still in the twenties. I can’t explain why a round with an ES in the twenties can shoot so well but, it does. The average velocity is not that fast at 3842 fps but, the accuracy is there. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that the .204 Ruger isn’t accurate. It may not win a benchrest competition but, it can sure make a good showing. I’m positive that someone who is better at doping the wind could get better results than I can. My idea of doping the wind is to sit at the bench and wait for it to die.
I owe thanks to so many of you on the .204um. I almost lost faith in this project several times. After my first outing with RE-10X that only produced groups in the 1’s I got real nervous. That is my XR-100’s favorite powder. The switch to Benchmark really tightened up the groups. (Thanks, jo191145) I still want to find a powder that will produce the same groups with a little better velocity. I intend to keep load testing to see if H4895 does the trick. I really want to thank Stick of SG&Y Precision Rifles. The workmanship of my rifle is second to none. I guess I’m not really qualified to say that since this is my first 100% custom built rifle but, I’ll say it anyway. Thanks, Stick.
If I had any advice to give, it would be to get a good barrel and reamer. My XR-100 shot worse the closer I loaded to the lands. With this Lilja barrel, it is just the opposite. The bullets like to be jammed hard into the lands. So now I wonder why so many manufacturers cut their chambers and throats so long with this cartridge. My rifle does have all the right parts and was put together by the best but, I will be putting the same Lilja barrel cut with the same Dave Kiff Match .204 reamer on my XR-100 when it’s time.
O.K. I’ll shut up now. I’m sure ya’ll are getting tired of me and my quest on this varmint hunting forum.
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