SmallCaliberCentral

I've been studying this subject a while and I am planning to get a Savage 12 LRPV in .204 Ruger. What factory ammo tends to deliver the best groups in that rifle?

You'll have to tell us when you find out. No one can tell you what particular ammo will work in your particular rifle.
I would be sure to include the Federal 39smk loads in your testing though

Mporter, Welcome to the forum. jo191145 is right on the money as every gun is just a little different than the next. But keep use posted as you go along ok?

Yes, I know that each rifle is likely to have particular tastes. Testing different ammo is part of the fun of an new aquisition. I was looking for some suggestions of what has worked for others so I have at least somewhere to start.

Thanks jo191145 for the tip on the Federal 39s.

I'll be happy to share my results. However, I'm still looking for somewhere to buy the rifle. I called my nearest Scheels about ordering one, and they said they would check on how long it would take but they haven't gotten back to me yet. Maybe Savage is closed until July 16th. They have this notice posted on their on-line store.

"Due to the annual summer shutdown of our facility, all orders placed after June 29, 2007 will not be shipped until July 16, 2007."

Hey jo191145,

Do you mean 39 SBK?



mporter,

I had good results with the Hornady factory 32 V-Max

HSM ammo (Hunting Shack ammo) with 39gr Sierra Blitzking is the best shooting factory ammo I've tested in a few dozen 204 rifles. The same in 32gr SBK is close and better in a few but if you shoot beyond 200 yards the 39gr will win everytime. This ammo will match or exceed most casual shooters reloads. Our current club/dealer price is $44.45 per hundred which considering this ammo has new brass is the same or less costly then reloading with new brass if you consider normal droppage of primers, powder, etc.

I have no connection with HSM but try to find a good factory load to test rifles with. For instance the white box, varmint Winchester .223 and 22-250 is very good as is the Federal Gold Match in .308.

Cabelas sells HSM in .204R with the Calhoon 33gr bullet but I've not tried that load/bullet.

Hey mporter. welcome to the forum. I live in IOWA and can get you hooked up with a guy to get you one. Just pm me and I'll get you the info. How far from Des Moines do you live?

WrzWaldo wrote:Hey jo191145,

Do you mean 39 SBK?

Woops your right. The smk's go in my palma barrel. The 20's are blitzkings
I'm a Berger guy. I'm still happy when I remember to put the pointy end out.

jo191145

You mean you've never tried seating bullets upside down before? I thought a competition shooter like yourself would have tried that one.

I am also from Iowa, have the same rifle(LRPV) and for factory mine loved the 40gr VMAX. Shot several sub 1/2 inch 5 shot groups. I live about 30 mins north of Marshalltown and about 45 mins east of Ames. Let me know if you wanna shoot sometime. Also, my FFL dealer got mine to me for $900.....he won't be beat!!!! Let me know if you are interested -Dan

skipper wrote:jo191145

You mean you've never tried seating bullets upside down before? I thought a competition shooter like yourself would have tried that one.

You may be on to something there Skipper. When I play darts I always hold them by the point and flip em to the target.
I quess if I want to try loading bullets backwards I had better toe the line and start with a 300 Whisper

My LRPV seemed to like both the hornady 32gr and 40gr loads. Glen Asher even suppiled some handloaded 39gr Blitzkings that worked even better. The barrel only had like 20 or so rounds thru it at the time and they were all under an inch.

But yeah, every rifle is differant. I actully have a ruger No. 1 that'll shoot 1/2" groups with factory 32gr.