SmallCaliberCentral

I have just purchased a Lee Anniversary Kit and need some suggestions on which recipes have worked best with the 40gr vmax. I shoot a CZ 527 in 204. Any suggestions on which primer, powder, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I know every barrel shoots different, but some beginning points would be helpful.

Thanks,

Lee

I like Benchmark and H4895 with CCI 450 primers and Remington cases.

The Win cases suck...primer pockets are done after a couple firings.

....and I am NO where near max.

i have found my howa 1500 likes benchmark at 27.2 grains loaded behind 32 gr. vmax bullets with wsr primers. i personally don't like ww brass, had too many problems with. now i only load remington new brass and will continue to use this brass for as long as i can.

Check out the Hodgdon reloading data at this link:

http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

I have had good luck using H4895 with bullets in the 32 gr., 35 gr., 39 gr. and 40 gr. weight categories in my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger.

You might also try and use the Search function up on the top right-hand side of the Web page. Just type in "Benchmark" or the grain weight of the bullets you want to use and you'll come up with a whole bunch of hits to read. Then, you have to separate the wheat from the chaff and get out to the range and do your own testing because what works in someone else's rifle might not work worth beans in your rifle. It usually takes quite a bit of time at the range to develop a good load and only you can do that. Merry Christmas.

I am another one that would suggest H4895 with almost every 20 cal. out there. Of couse, I'd suggest trying REM 7 1/2 primers???? JMHO

Merry Christmas to all....

I've tried a lot of combinations and found that my most consistent tight groups are from using Winchester-748, CCI Magnum primers, Winchester brass, and 39gr Sierra BlitzKing bullets seated at 2.240" COL.

Some of the powders I've tried: H-4895, IMR-3031, ReLoader 15, Ramshot X-Terminator, and the Win-748.

I've tried Hornady, Remington, and Winchester cases.

Used Winchester Small Rifle and CCI Magnum primers.

I load for two .204s, an AR and a Bolt Savage and want a load that works exceptionally well in both. The load combination above is what I've found that will produce .220" groups in both...

H-335 and AA 2460 should also work with 40s, along with the now defunct 2230-C. IIRC, one of the best loads I've seen was a 40 over 26.XX H-335, it shot very nicely in a feller's Ruger V/T. My rifle choked on it, but his lapped it up. I was happy to shoot them up in his rifle and get my brass emptied.