SmallCaliberCentral

Highest 40gr load is just over 3700 fps. that's way slow.

Tom

That's why we all have our own chronographs!

I spoke with the guys in their ballistics lab, and that's what they registered with their test barrel just before pressures went up too far to publish. Again, that was in their barrel, not yours.

You do realize Tom, that the manuals are more of a guideline, right? (Argh!)

Looking over the "Favorite Load" data 3700 don't look all that slow for a 40 grain pill.

Favorite 40 Berger loads clocked from 3104 --> 3650

And the 40 V-Max ranged from 3700 --> 3900

I see that the Nosler Web load data lists 3648 as the fastest load for the 40...

[quote="Rick in Oregon"]That's why we all have our own chronographs!

I spoke with the guys in their ballistics lab, and that's what they registered with their test barrel just before pressures went up too far to publish. Again, that was in their barrel, not yours.

You do realize Tom, that the manuals are more of a guideline, right? (Argh!)[/quote

Rick, I've been chronographing my loads for years and my Oehler 35P still has it's original skyscreens. I just think their loads stink. Why would you publish loads with powders that don't take advantage of the cartridge?

Tom

WrzWaldo wrote:Looking over the "Favorite Load" data 3700 don't look all that slow for a 40 grain pill.

Favorite 40 Berger loads clocked from 3104 --> 3650

And the 40 V-Max ranged from 3700 --> 3900

I see that the Nosler Web load data lists 3648 as the fastest load for the 40...

3700 is slow for a .204. Why would you not use the cartridge to it's full potential?

I was disappointed with the manual as well. It did not list some of the more popular powders for the 204.

Ohlsen wrote: 3700 is slow for a .204. Why would you not use the cartridge to it's full potential?

What kind of velocities are you getting with the 40 grain bullets? Of all the loads posted in the "Favorite Loads" thread the fastest is 3900 FPS with the 40 V-Max and 3650 FPS for the berger. If you have a scary accurate load with a 40 grain bullet that is marginally faster I sure wish you'd share it.

WW

Sidewinderwa wrote:I was disappointed with the manual as well. It did not list some of the more popular powders for the 204.

How does the manual compare to the online load data?

WrzWaldo wrote:

Ohlsen wrote: 3700 is slow for a .204. Why would you not use the cartridge to it's full potential?

What kind of velocities are you getting with the 40 grain bullets? Of all the loads posted in the "Favorite Loads" thread the fastest is 3900 FPS with the 40 V-Max and 3650 FPS for the berger. If you have a scary accurate load with a 40 grain bullet that is marginally faster I sure wish you'd share it.

WW

My Ruger VT likes VV N-133, chronograph reads 3899-41-14, also VV N-135 at 3892-45-20.

My Savage VLP with a 1x11 Pacnor likes VV N-530 at 3919-24-11, but maybe the best is 10X at 3886-30-11. This barrel shoots all the 40's pretty darn good.

The 40 Sierra seems to be the best bullet and I do molly coat my bullets.

Tom