SmallCaliberCentral

I just bought a model 12FV in savage 204 ruger 26" bull barrel synthetic stock and i put a 6by18 50mm bushnell on it ive been trying to find a good load for it by handloading i was wondering if anybody out there that has the same rifle and has found a good handload for it i have BLC2, H4895, Benchmark, please post some loads for me can't wait to try a few thanks

With your powder selection, believe you will find THE sweet spot.

I use Benchmark with 40 gr VMax bullets in both 204 Savages that I shoot.

Bullet seating depth seems to matter a bit. Mine like to be 0.050" OFF of the lands.

My Brother has the same gun. I found that his liked 25.1g of benchmark and a 39Bk on top. Shot really well.

12fv, 28.1grs. of H4895 with a 35gr berger bullet seated at 2.263 oal, rem. brass case lenght 1.843. This works pretty good for me.

i just boguht 15 boxes of 40 grain hornady V-max off of midway for 13.18 for 100rds so im set on them my reloading book told me starting grains for H4895 was 24.5 - 26.7 looking at another book i just bought i can go to 27.7 24.5 grains shot great for me but going its only travling around 3400fps my oal is 2.263 and trim lengh is 1.840 how ya think it will shoot if i try 27.0 27.5 27.7 grains have you tried this loads with the 40 grain vmaxs yet thanks

The .204 can build pressure rather quickly, especially up towards the max load. I would increase your charge weight in .2 grain increments, for safety's sake. H4895 works well in a lot of members rifles.