SmallCaliberCentral

well i finally got to the range today with my new Savage LRPV 204 Ruger. I tested it with 32 vmax, 40 grain nosler's, and 39 SBK's. All i can say is wow!! It shoots lights out accurate with the 39 SBK's. I was able to produce two separate 3 shot groups in a row that were one ragged hole at 100 yards. I guessed on the load and started with a very moderate charge of Xterminator. I will be going back over the next couple weeks and working up more loads and using the chrono to test them. I plan to do some additional testing with our 37 grain bullets very soon. Overall i am very impressed with this factory Savage rifle.

Brad

Sounds like you're on a winner there Brad

The 12 VLP was my first 204 and still love it. Mine shot the 39 grain Blitzkings so well, I never went any further as that is the bullet I wanted to shoot from the beginning. I bought a thumbhole Savage that was lighter to carry and it shoots the exact same load as my VLP and just as well, right out of the box. I could not be happier with my rifles and they were affordable.

Great.All of them seem to shoot well,right out of the box.Bought mine because of the left port,but didn't expect it to shoot a .333 with factory ammo.Waiting for a report with your bullets.

I also just got a savage, like it alot. anybody know where a guy can buy the 39 sbk in factory ammo at a reasonable price.

the SBK's were loaded in the Federal ammo, they recently discontinued it. You may still be able to find some available somewhere if you google it. To be honest you can duplicate it fairly easily, you are always better off you to load your own if possible.

ddwaite wrote:I also just got a savage, like it alot. anybody know where a guy can buy the 39 sbk in factory ammo at a reasonable price.

Sometimes, the stars line up just so and certain manufacturers hit a "golden era" of manufacture. I think Savage has hit one with the entire model 12 line.

I agree, the LRPV in .204 is an awesome rifle. I (stupidly) sold mine. It shot the 39gr BK over RL-10X very, very well.

I love the Cooper MTV I shoot now, but for accuracy and trigger it has nothing on the Savage. Enjoy your fine rifle!

I love the look and feel of my 12 VLP but haven't got it shooting nicely yet, 2-3" groups! (Hornady 32, 40 and 45gr factory ammo all similar) I've since noticed that for some reason the previous owner had packed a few layers of cardboard and tape under the scope tube in rear ring so I've taken those out and tightened it up again, hopefully that was the problem but I'll find out next time I test it.

Picked up a used savage 12 FV-S a couple weeks ago, out of the box 39 grain SBK an RL 10-X 5 shot under 1/2" at 100 yards. I didnt think I was capable of shooting that, Had been working on my Remmy 700 SPS in 204, best so far 1 1/2" at 100 yards, its a work in progress. Little frustrating have worked about 20 different loads an not much better.

wirelessguy2005 wrote:well i finally got to the range today with my new Savage LRPV 204 Ruger. I tested it with 32 vmax, 40 grain nosler's, and 39 SBK's. All i can say is wow!! It shoots lights out accurate with the 39 SBK's. I was able to produce two separate 3 shot groups in a row that were one ragged hole at 100 yards. I guessed on the load and started with a very moderate charge of Xterminator. I will be going back over the next couple weeks and working up more loads and using the chrono to test them. I plan to do some additional testing with our 37 grain bullets very soon. Overall i am very impressed with this factory Savage rifle.

Brad

Wirelessguy,

would you care to share your load, i do realize my rifle's(new Savage LRPV 204 Ruger's) load will probally need to be adj. I have win Brass, Primers, & 250 SBK 39 gr bullets. Just looking for a load to start from.

Shooting & Loading this 204 Ruger is going to be pure joy.
37 grain bullets?? sounds like a good alternative, going to have to give them a try next.

the load i used was 25.3 grains of Ramshot Xterminator, fully prepped winchester brass, the 39 grain sierra blitzkings, and Tula small rifle magnum primers. This is a moderate load and should be safe in most guns, however the actually starting load as recommended in the Lyman #49 manual is 23.6 grains and for safety purposes i would recommend that you start there.

bdweis73 wrote:Picked up a used savage 12 FV-S a couple weeks ago, out of the box 39 grain SBK an RL 10-X 5 shot under 1/2" at 100 yards. I didnt think I was capable of shooting that, Had been working on my Remmy 700 SPS in 204, best so far 1 1/2" at 100 yards, its a work in progress. Little frustrating have worked about 20 different loads an not much better.

i think you have a lot of copper in your barrel. do what you can to get rid of that and i think you will be in for a nice surprise. clean and then clean and when that is done clean again! check the torque on the action screws they should be even at about 40 inch pounds.

Tried different torque settings with stock on remmy sps, anything above 25 in lbs, would bind reciever enough could feel bolt dragging, but in process now of bedding it in thumbhole laminate, if it dosnt shoot then it may get rebarreled, I to thought it was copper fouling messing with accuracy, but have done a thurough cleaning an still no better than an inch. Bedding then maybe new trigger.

ddwaite wrote:I also just got a savage, like it alot. anybody know where a guy can buy the 39 sbk in factory ammo at a reasonable price.

Yes Sir....Sportsmans Guide has them as clearance for $19/box.......