SmallCaliberCentral

I've used these powders and have had great luck with them. I've got 4 lbs of n135. I'm a little confused because there is very little load data for the 204. I e-mailed a VIHT rep and he thought N135 was to fast of burn rate for the 204, but when I look at burn rate charts it's a little faster than
Varget and a little slower than H4895. If anyone is using this I would really appreciate some help with load data and also what works best for you. I will be using 39 gr BK.

Thanks in advance.
KVW

I use N140 in .22-250 and though I'd tried it in the .204. I just checked my reloading log and can't find it anywhere. Sorry.

Scott

In an article written by Brezny in the Varmint Hunter Mag he used 135 with great results. I had a little bit, so I tried 27gr with 32 vmax and got 4100fps, 3/4 inch groups, no pressure problems. I had better groups and velocity with Benchmark so I went with that for 32 grain bullets, but I sure wouldn't hesitate to use the 135 if I had it.

I use N140 for my 22-250s...I've found it the best all around, esp for 50 and 55gr bullets. I've got some reload data from Walt Berger on the .204, 35gr and 40gr, for the N133 and N140. I haven't tried it in my .204s, but if you'll email me I'll send it to you.

walker217@earthlink.net

I'm using 135 in my 204 with 40gr Bergers. I used the first two pound jug for load development between my 204 and 308 with 135 Bergers.
I had a rough load of 27.1gns for the 40 Berg. Upon buying my second jug of a different lot I fine tuned that load. Came up with 26.8. Just bought another jug also a different lot. Last Saturday I loaded up 26.8 - 27.1 in .1 gr increments. 26.9 gave me a .150 at 100yds. Happy but not surprised, it just shoots awesome for me.

One oddity that goes against conventional wisdom. I've noticed it does not like a clean barrel. I witness .5 moa groups for at least fifteen rds after cleaning. Eventually it settles right into an average of .25moa or better at 200yds.
I have not cleaned my barrel in a month. Over one hundred naked bullets through it and it still gave me a .150. If the rifle sits for more than two days I do run a dry nylon brush and one dry patch through it. Truth be known I'm scared to clean it.

I think 135 is the perfect burn rate for 39/40's in the 204. I've been considering trying 133 with the lightweights. Might have to buy another barrel though. I don't want to mess with this one.

J0191145, What kind of volocities are you getting with these loads. I went up to 25.7 gr and it shoots OK but this is what I was looking for. I was a little weary because I didn't have any load data but I can see now that I need to speed it up a little. Thanks for all the help from everyone. I really appreciate it. This is a great 204'um.

KVW

I just recieved an e-mail from Walt Berger with some load data for 135. Thanks to VARTARG for the info on e-mailing Walt. He shows a max load for 40 gr bullets at 25.9 gr. Does Walt kind of go on the low sides to keep it safe? What have you guys seen when asking Mr. Berger himself for load data.

KVW
I have received load data from Walt in the past. He uses Quickload to generate the data. If you're not familiar with Quickload, it's a great tool but there are a number of variables you need to specify for your particular rifle. Since Walt doesn't have all the specifics, all he can do is generate a very general list of loads that should be SAFE in any rifle. And yes, that means the loads are generally on the low (read SAFE) side. But they provide a basis for you to start your own ladder tests for your particular rifle.
I have done some very limited load development with N133. The ladder I did was as follows: Win case, Fed 205M, Berger 40 HPBT VM, and 23.1 - 24.0 grains (0.2 gr increments) N133. Cartridge OAL was 2.90". I did not get a chance to chrono these loads. Group sizes were 0.383" - 0.712", 5 shots, 100 yds.
I moved on to Sierra 39 BK's and Re-10x which also shot very well so never got around to going back and doing any further work with N133. However, I think it has great potential. I know it works great in my Sako 6mm PPC.

Rgds, Gerry

KVW
While I applaud Walt for giving his time to formulate load data it is quite conservative. I also used Walts data for a starting point. The starting loads were so low I experienced blow by. The case necks did not expand to fill the chamber allowing the hot gases to exit rearward through the bolt.
I'm running right around 3735 for an average "sweet spot". My data shows I cranked them to 3899fps during ladder testing with 28.0 gns. That is a very hot load and not recommended!!!
I have tested different primers with my original load of 27.1 which averaged around 3800fps. Even Federal 200's showed no overt pressure signs.

I do have some data from an Audette ladder using 135 and 39 smk's. Unfourtunately it never made it into my log book. It must be kicking around in the piles of saved targets somewhere. If I find it I'll post or pm it to you.

KVW
I found all the bits and pieces of my 39smk ladder test. I started with 21.9gns( I believe thats Walts starting load for the 40's but not sure) and worked up in .3gn increments. 21.9 clocked in at 3096fps. I experienced blow by on load #3 at 22.5gns = 3046fps.

Basically the best node was the four shots between (#15) 26.1 and (#18 at 27.0.
3624/3696/3750/3760fps respectively. Those four grouped .490 at 200yds.
Shot 19 climbed almost 3/4" out of the center of that group and #20 (27.6)jumped further yet. I would not want a steady diet of anything higher than that.

Running off memory now I tried a 10 shot group at 200 using 26.5gns and got a 1.1?? for my trouble. Most likely I had cleaned the barrel Never tried tweaking it or seating depth adjustments. I was dieing to try the new 32 Noslers. So far no great luck with 32's, 34's, or 35's using Viht 135 with this new tube. I get the feeling this barrel just likes the heavies.

I did a little testing with 135 in an old barrel using 35 Bergs coated with WS2 and got excellent preliminary results. Could not sustain that accuracy though. Maybe the Viht wouldn't need the WS2.
Hope this helps

Thanks to all for all the great info. My gun settled in at 26.9 gr. I did a ladder from 26.7 to 27.1 in .1 gr increments. They all shot alot better than what I had b-4. Absolutely no signs of pressure. I went to a 200 yd match this weekend and took 2nd overall in stock class. A few of my misses were operator error. I know the gun is capable now. Thanks again for all of the help. Great Forum!!!

Congratulations on the win
What type of match was it?
My turn is this Sunday.

Now a few questions for you.
What did you use for a COL and did you try seating depth adjustments?

I'm getting some awesome speed and performance out of it. Just shot my best 5 shot group ever at 200yds yesterday. No one would believe me though. Factory sticks just are'nt supposed to shoot groups like that.
I also shot some pretty bad ones too. I think I just figured out what the problem was. Needed a little more juice.

The competition that I shoot is a 200 yd varmint match. 10 varmint targets w 1/2" bullseyes. Perfect target is 400 pts. 10 shots, 10 minutes.
It's a blast to do. Everybody thought that I was crazy when I brought my 204 to the first shoot, but now they are kind of scratching their heads. It was really windy at the shoot and everybody was having problems with it but me. I still think a small bullet at high velocity's does alot better in wind than bigger ones at slower speed.
My COL is 2.447 w/39 gr bk's. That is .010 off lans. I tried starting at recommended and move out but wasn't having much luck. Thanks again for your help. It really shoots great now. I shoot a Savage LRPV. What do you shoot?

Savage Low Profiles, lots of paper and the occasional egg shoot. 200 and 300 yards. 15 eggs per yardage/match. Some shooters who've never tried it think its quite easy. Two problems. One, unlike paper if you miss you cannot tell which way the flyer went. That right there is a real confidence killer. Two, there are no wind flags at this range. Super awesome fun though.
If I remember correctly my 40 Bergs are .165 off the lands. Even at that great distance .005 either way is quite noticable.