SmallCaliberCentral

hey guys~round #1 of load testing gave me some curious results in my new 1:12" Cooper 51. Best was; 32gr. V-Max near the low-end of powder charges spec., 39gr. Sierra BKs at the higher end~all using H322. I don't have the data in front of me, but I will be refining the loads in the coming week, and hitting the range again. On the weekend, a local shop I was in had 35fr. Bergers, so I grabbed some to try...but haven't found any load info. on here for the 35s and H322. Anyone using these in combination? Anyone with a Cooper 1:12" finding them to be great shooters? For the record~I simply can't find H4895 anywhere, or I'd likely have started with it instead of H322, but I'm achieving 1/2 MOA with those 32gr. V-Max and 39gr. SBKs. Trying to tighten things up!

Round #2 of this question~of the 3 bullets, which one has the best terminal effect on eastern groundhogs? Yes, I know they'll all do the job.

I have had absolutely great results, as far as accuracy, with all three of those bullets in my Cooper Model 21 1:12 twist. I use the 32's for crows, squirrels, rats and rock chucks. The 35's are for coyotes, badgers and the likes. Used to use the 39's for predators but strongly suspect that Sierra made a jacket change making them more explosive and less desirable for larger animals. I am using RL10X with Federal 205M primers. Will be switching to Remington 7 1/2's soon, as that is what I was able to find. My 5-shot, 100yd groups with any of these bullets run .2-.3" off the bench. Let me know if you have any RL10X. If you do, I can PM you what has been working for me for the last several years in two different rifles.

Hi Ramos~thanks for the input! I'll check on the availability of the RL10X now, how does it stack-up speed-wise to H322?

I can't speak for Jon, but I'll offer that RL-10X being about three notches slower than H322, is a bit better suited to the 204 case. I use H322 with excellent results in my .17 Mach IV, and it's also good in the 221FB and 20VT.....all in a the smaller FB case. I don't shoot the Berger 35gr much, as most of my shooting is volume affairs at ground squirrels and PD's (and the occasional rockchuck of course), so the 32's get the most action.

But RL-10X has proven to be the powder of choice for both the 32's and 39/40's in all four of my 204's. H4895 may be a better choice for the 40's, as it gives excellent speed along with very good accuracy. But here's a random target shot with RL-10X after a Cooper/Jard trigger replacement:



My other 204's all seem to thrive on RL10X too. But at this point in time, you'll be well advised to work up decent field loads using at least two powders, as FINDING the stuff can be probematic. Always nice to have a Plan B.

.204Rguy, my 32gr load/speed is VERY similar to Rick's. I would have to check my notes to give you the exact figures. The load book is at home, I am at work. Sucks, too. The sun is out, gentle breeze and should be between 55 and 60* this afternoon. I just know I could find something to shoot!!!

Thanks guys! Little dilemma since my last post~my local dealer has RL10x in stock, and another dealer (about 45 mins. away) has H4895 due in Tues./Wed. of next week. I told them to put a couple of pounds aside for me when it shows up...but I may be complicating things now. SEEMS to make sense that .204 R should be running pretty fast, otherwise, I'd have started my load testing with what I use in my .223~Varget.

Plan is to use this gun for groundhogs almost exclusively, but if you pull the trigger 10-12 times a day, it's an EXCEPTIONAL hunt. Most days are 4-6 shots. So, I'm reloading for best accuracy first, highest velocity second, most "explodey" results third. Which powder deserves the most attention?

FWIW, Varget was my first powder for the 204R. The Varget was good. However, RL10X did show a real-world increase in both accuracy and velocity as measured on paper and through the chronograph. As far as flight time and gore with live targets, both powders were awesome!!!

I tried 35 Bergers with 28.0 of Reloader 15 and it was .250 MOA @ 100 yards. For what ever reason Reloader 15 provided the fastest loads with the same accuracy as the others I've tested. 4895 was the second best for me. For m, Varget proved to be the slowest. Benchmark and Reloader 10x were also good but I had plenty of RL-15 and H4895 on hand. IMR-8208 XBR was good and was the fastest of all but I've only tested it briefly.

Like Rick mentioned, I'd try different powders because most Alliant powders are difficult to find right now.

Nore: 28 grains of RL-15 is on the upper endof the powder charge so do take note.

HTH,

Jim

my savage likes 35 gr. bergers. 30.9 grains of cfe-223, rem 7 1/2, 3990 fps. best load to date is .185"@ 100 yd. those rem. primers work better than everything I have tried--cci, cci-br4,fed gm205m . I am sure you will be able to make the h-322 work altho I haven't tried it yet I have read a good deal about how good it is. I just found some 40 grain bergers and they do quite well also.

Though I love Bergers in my 25-06, hso far I have been disappointed in Bergers in the 204. It appears VMAX in 32 or 40s are the ticket. I have not worked up to max loads, but mine (CZ 527) appears to like the higher loads.

35gr bergers shoot the best of any bullet in my Tikka. I am using Benchmark powder though. Nice one hole five shot groups. The H322 has worked well for me with 26gr Barnes.