SmallCaliberCentral

I've been using H4895, H335 (very accurate but too temp. sensitive), 8208 XBR and just started some tests with Varget. The 8208 is a sweet powder, giving me excellent results from 26gr. Barnes, 32 gr. Vmax and 40 gr. Vmax. Meters well and doesn't know a hot day from a cold one. But, always one to ex...

Tony,

Looks like you got lucky!

Check the cartridges you shot. I see one on the left has what appears to be the start of head separation. Can't really tell from the pic for sure, but I see a bright ring around it.

Could be nothing but worth a check.

I haven't used the 450 mags as they are more expensive than the Rem 7 1/2 BRs but I get excellent performance from the Rems. I tried the CCI 400's but if I load for 32 gr. bullets or heavier, they show primer flow even at low charge weights. So, I'll use them for the 26 gr. Barnes until they're used...

Welcome, Tony.

Good to have you with us. Be sure to keep us posted on whatever you discover in your .204 journey.

Just a little amusement: I was testing some 32gr. Vmax loads with CCI 400's and shot this. http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc397/HayCreekJohnson/2in1thehardway.jpg As far as the CCI 400's go, unless I got a bad batch, I wouldn't recommend them for anything heavier than 26 gr. bullets. They all s...

I'm in and posted.

Thanks, DoubleUp. Sure appreciate your interest in helping me out.

DoubleUp,

Just registered with Dan's site. Awaiting admin.

In the meantime, here's a pic of the groups with On Target overlay just to be sure we're talking about the same groups.



Let me know.

Hedge

DoubleUp, Thanks for taking the time to look this over. I appreciate it. Thought I'd already replied to your post, but seems I must have messed up. At any rate, I'll try again. :) Also sent you a PM but that seems to have gone into the ether, as well. :? Downloaded the software. Nice program! Every ...

Tested 40 gr. Vmax with excellent results
40 gr. Nosler - so far, doesn't like the same loads as the Vmax. Still testing.
39 gr. Sierra - not as good as the Vmax in my rifle
32 gr. Vmax - working on that one but looking good

You're welcome, Trent. I'll do that. I did throw together some rounds for a quick test, tonight. Shot 'em and got similar results, but then I discovered I mixed Hornady and Win cases. Can't really make an exact comparison but the grouping was close enough to say there is a significant difference bet...

Rick,

Thanks for clearing up the distance the target is shot. I thought it was a short one, but a salesman told me otherwise.
H335 gave me excellent results in my Savage, but seemed too temp. sensitive to my taste. Medium load at 60 deg. F was a "hammer the bolt open" load at 90 Deg F.

Steve, When you get your Cooper, there will be a test target with it. If it doesn't tell you the load they used, call Cooper. They'll tell you. If you want to build your own custom loads, the ladder tests works but you need a 200 yd + range to run it. I tried it, but at 100 yds. I wasn't getting a c...

Load data on the Hodgdon site: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

I use 28.3 gr behind a 26 gr. Barnes Varmint Grenade. Shoots .218" @ 100 yds.

Check the poly tips on your bullets. I was reading in one of the other forums where someone had a similar problem. Bad set of bullets where the tips were loose. That might be the problem.

Hodgdon rates their extreme powders as good between 0 deg to 125 deg. F. with less than 30 fps spread.