H4895 for 204?

[stevecrea]

A friend was just shooting some of his reloads in his .204, with 32 grain Sierra Blitzkings, and 35 grain Berger HPs. He started at 26.0 grains, and worked up from there. At 26.6 grains with the Sierras, the group tightened up considerably, and he stopped there, just because of time. Of course, many of you will notice that this is a very light load, and the chrony started at only about 3300 fsp or so.

Does anyone have a particular impression about H4895 with the lighter bullets? My impression is that it may be a bit too slow.

[Steve V]

I've shot H4895 behind 32 gr Sierras with great results. Grouping a little over 1/2" and just over 4100 fps. That is out of my Ruger 77V/T; Got the load right out of the load data page of this site. 29 gr of powder, Winchester brass, Rem 7.5br primers. I would definitely go higher in charge weight; you'll probably find another acurrate load at higher velocities.

[surfclod]

H4895 pushing 39 Grain SBK's is my current pet load for my 204 so it was the powder I had on hand when I tried a few 35 grain Bergers.

Velocity was right where the charts said it should be for the test loads I tried, but pressure was higher (flattened primers) than any load I have tried so far.

Even when testing the listed max loads using 32 Grain V-Max and H322 or 39 Grain SBK's and H4895 they showed less pressure signs than the starting loads of my Berger 35 Grains and H4895. There was no stiffness in bolt handle lift but primers were the flattest I have seen and accuracy was not that impressive (1/2-3/4 MOA) so I plan to try a different powder for the Berger 35 Grain bullets.

However that is my experience with my particular rifle, yours may be similar, or you may find results more like what Steve V has found with his rifle, only experimenting will tell.

I got lucky with my first try using 39 SBK's and H4895 but the 35 Grain Bergers are going to take a bit more experimenting for my rifle.


If I were you I would try the H4895 with your bullet choice going right to max load (or develops pressure signs, whichever comes first). Who knows, you may find a node that works with your rifle, only experimenting will tell.

[Gube]

For the 35 gr bergers my 204's prefer benchmark.

[Silverfox]

H4895 is my GO TO powder for every bullet I shoot out of my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger. Those bullets include the 32 gr. V-Max, 32 gr. Sierra BK, 35 gr. FBHP Berger, 39 gr. Sierra BK, and the 40 gr. Nosler BT. It gives me excellent accuracy and I can push the bullets about as fast as I want, but usually settle on a load a few tenths of a grain below the max now days.

I don't think H4895 is too slow for the lighter bullets. The load I settled on in the summer of 2004 when I first started reloading the 32 gr. V-Max was pushing those little pills out at about 4,250 fps. That was before there was any reloading data available. The next spring, I was shooting those same reloads and getting my scope lined up for the 32 grainers on prairie dogs and those loads were giving me 4,300 fps at the muzzle!!!! I pulled the rest of the bullets and reduced my powder charge. When reloading data was available I found out I was well over the max load, but never experienced any signs of excessive pressure. Just lucky I guess!!!

[Ethan]

I use H4895 for mine as well. 35 Bergers shoot great, 39 grain Sierra good but not like the Bergers. 28.0 in my rifle is what I use. Your results may vary.

[Melvin Eades]

Steve,

I'm shooting 28.0 grains of H-4895 behind the 39's and not having any problems with them. This load is over maximum.. However, here is a link to the experiment with this load through all three of my 204's.

I also use 29.0 grains of H-4895 behind the 32 grain V-MAX's in my Savage M12VLP. Again, this is an over maximum load but will shoot .2 groups.

I've shot hundreds of these loads and have never had a problem, but these are my guns and my be too much for others. I've shot these loads in 90 degree prairie dog towns to 15 degree IL winters.

http://www.204ruger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5551

I worked up these loads .1 grains at a time. I did work up a few more 10ths beyond the 28.0 but did not improve accuracy or velocity just to see what the results were.

Load safely and let us know what you settle on and the results.

[Ethan]

Melvin what cases are you getting 29.0 grains in? 28.0 needs to be tamped down in my experience to fit.

[Glen]

I'm running 28.0grs as well under a 39gr'er. Hornady brass.

There is enough room for a 32 on top of 29grs.

[Melvin Eades]

Ethan,

I'm using Hornady brass for the 32's and Winchester brass for the 39's. My loads are not compressed and are seated out as far as the CZ clips will allow and still function.

[FireBallGuy]

I have little use for this powder in my remington. Accuracy does not appear to be there. Will put 4 shots in tight with a consistent flier, time and time again. Have got MUCH better results from benchmark, RL-10X, RL-15 so I am not going to waste any more time on this powder.