204 test loads *pics*

[DarkNight]

So I reloaded some 39 gr Sierra Blitzkings using H4895 powder and Remington 7-1/2 primers.

I started with 26.4 gr and worked my way up, for the most part, in 0.2 gr increments. I will include the pics and you guys feel free to comment on anything I should do. Could someone please tell me what is the listed max for this particular bullet? And could some of you please PM me some of the "hotter" loads they are using safely?


26.4 gr H4895


26.6 gr H4895


26.8 gr H4895


27.0 gr H4895


27.3 gr H4895


27.5 gr H4895

Some of the pics may not show up. Let me now and I'll try to fix the problem...

DarkNight

[acloco]

Action bedded?

Brand of rifle? sporter or varmint barrel? Stock???

What trigger is installed?

Brand of scope and magnification used during testing?

Shot from bags? bipod? other?

Your barrel seems to shoot left at the beginning of the string, circle to the right, and end up with two or three rounds in a tight group at the end.

[futuretrades]

DarkNight,
according to the info i am looking at, your loads are already on the very hotside. what are the measurements of each square on your targets. my guess would be either 1/2 in or 1 in.either way nice shooting.
as for load data the sierra manual shows loads with h4895 and 39gr SBK max load is 25.9grs and velocity at 3500fps with 205M primer thru their test rifle.
However if you look at the load data on this web site the max load is 26.5gr h4895 and a velocity of 3600fps with 205M primer out of the test rifle. you need to be your own judge of how hot you want your loads to be. when working up loads closer to max on the 204, i would suggest increases of only .1 grain of powder at a time. remember the 204 can build pressures very quickly!
i know H4895 is one of hodgdons extreme powders, but always be aware of the heat outside when shooting in hot weather and keep the rounds to be tested in the shade or if really hot, keep them in an ice chest until ready to shoot. just be careful and be safe in your project, and keep a keen eye out for pressure signs.

[surfclod]

I just did a couple ladder tests on friday with this same combo, (I used CCI primers but same powder and bullet) so I know there is some confusion concerning load data. Using the linked load data (http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php) on this site we get this....

Sierra's data for the 39 SBK using H4895 powder are as follows....
Starting load 24.1 grains (3200 fps) Max load 26.5 grains (3600 fps)

but

Hodgdens data for 40 Grain V-Max (true it is not the 39 SBK but being heavier it should be safer if anything)
Starting load 26 grains (3500 FPS) Max load 27.7 grains (3741 fps)

For myself I combined the two sets of data and shot two ladders of 10 shots each starting at 25.7 grains and working up to 27.5 grains in 0.2 grain increments.

After 2 fouling shots I proceeded to do both ladders at the same time. The one was shot from min load to max while the other was shot from max load to min to eliminate the effects of further fouling and weather changing. (I had shot the max load previously so I knew there were no pressure issues, otherwise I would not begin a test with the max load )

Here is the data I got.

25.7 Gr (3665, 3612 fps)
25.9 Gr (3714, 3706 fps)
26.1 Gr (3773, 3766 fps)
26.3 Gr (3806, 3801 fps)
26.5 Gr (3861, 3806 fps)
26.7 Gr (3891, 3894 fps)
26.9 Gr (3834, 3896 fps)
27.1 Gr (3935, 3921 fps)
27.3 Gr (3968, 3918 fps)
27.5 Gr (3948, 3954 fps)

As you can see the results I go are significantly faster that I expected from published load data. By comparing the two ladder tests and looking at the chronograph results I decided to go with 26.1 grains. One of the 3 shot groups (25.9, 26.1, 26.3) was just over 1/4 MOA while on the other target it was 5/8 MOA and the center of each 3 shot cluster was in the same spot on each target. If I get an average of 3750 fps it will still be a nice flat shooting load and hopefully I will get a good long life out of the barrel. (Its at 165 rounds as of today, will put up a post later with a few pics of this weekend).

This was my first true Audette ladder test so I was happy to have the range to myself for most of the day friday, its a lot of walking out to the target and back but it lets the barrel stay cool and with the digital camera I would take a photo after every shot so I never have to doubt my data.

By the looks of your pictures it looks like you would do fine with any of those loads, though I never would trust just one grouping. I like to do at least two, three if I can, ten would be ideal (but then you would have no barrel left once you developed the perfect load )


Anyways I don't want to hijack your post I just thought I would put up the data I have gotten from my recent testing of the same powder and bullet combo.

[DarkNight]

acloco-

Forgive me for not providing more detail. Hopefully the following will shed more light on what rifle is shooting these groups:

I'm shooting a stock Savage 12 vlp with a heavy, stainless-steel fluted barrel. It sports the stock Accutrigger that came out of the box with a 1.25 pound trigger weight. I mounted a Bushnell Elite 4200 in 4 x 16 x 40 and when I shoot my groups the scope is turned all the way up to 16x.

When I shoot I am laying prone with an Uncle Bud's Bulls Bag supporting the front half of the rifle, and a shot bag filled with sand placed under the butt of the gun and slid forward/back to adjust for elevation.

futuretrades-

Those squares on my target are 1/2 inch squares. Thanks for the load data, I didn't realize I was shooting that HOT!!! Regarding pressure signs, do you refer to signs such as flattening of the primers and difficulty opening the bolt after firing? If there are any other signs to watch for, please teach them to me so I don't blow my eye/face out!

surfclod-

Thanks for the load data!

Thanks for the replys everyone!
DarkNight

[Arizona Hunter]

I think the entire rig needs to be sold and you get one that will shoot beter. I believe I have some additional space in my safe if you need to get rid of that sorry excuse for a Savage and Elite 4200.

Hopefully, you know sarcasm when you read it. My rifles (with Elites also) shoot like yours is and last weekend helped thin out the p-dog herd.

[DarkNight]

Well, I reloaded some more of the H4895 powder and 39 grain Sierra Blitzkings and fired 5 rounds of 26.4 gr at 200 yds, then 5 rounds of the same at 100 yds. Here's what that looked like.

26.4 grains of H4895 at 100 yds


at 200 yds...



26.8 grains of H4895 at 100 yds



at 200 yds....



Let me know what you guys think....

I have some hotter loads loaded at 27.6, 27.7 and 27.8 grains but am waiting for a chronograph before I attempt testing those!

[Hotshot]

DN,

Why are you pushing the limit so hard? Your rifle is a good performer and the milder loads grouped best.
In my Savages R10X was a little faster if you want the highest velocity possible.
If you look at a balistic chart you'll see that 50 or even 100 fps of velocity doesn't change much at 500 yards so why risk the high pressure?

[Rick in Oregon]

Night: Know that most experienced handloaders (not reloaders....) usually consider the most accurate load the best load. No rat, fox, coyote or other varmint will ever know the difference between 3,500 fps or 4,000 fps....DRT is DRT, period. The difference in trajectory is miniscule, believe me once you get into 204 velocity area.

Like Hotshot mentioned, back off bud, your rifle will group better, your barrel will last longer, and you'll be happier in the long run. The 204 is a hotrod even with mid-range loads.

Forty plus years of this stuff has taught me this, I'm not making it up or relaying something I read in a gun rag.

[acloco]

Echo what HotShot and RIO said.

Your left to right stringing is your rest/sight picture/mirage....not the load.

[DarkNight]

So what loads do your rifles like with the H4895 and 39 gr Sierra BlitzKings? I'll check the pet loads sticky, but thought I'd ask here as well to see what works well for you guys....

Thanks for the advice, I do appreciate it!

[Hotshot]

I use 24.8 of R10X for 3825 fps. Slightly under max has never shown pressure signs in my 3 Savages and several others of friends I shoot with. 2 years ago I tried H4895 and dropped it. I don't remember the exact load, but it was a case full and the velocity was lower and accuracy good but not as good as the R10X. Every rifle is different and yours might do better with H4895, but not mine. I have tried Benchmark also, and the accuracy is real good but not as fast on velocity so I dropped that too. Why fix what ain't broke?

[acloco]

Neither of my 204's particularly cared for Blitz Kings. 40 gr VMax and H4895 is where the fun is.


Do NOT use my loads...work up to them. This is chrono data while working up a load. Notice the HUGE jump at the end???


26.6 3767
26.7 3801
26.8 3798
26.9 3812
27 3799
27.1 3814
27.2 3816
27.3 3844
27.4 3855
27.5 3921

surfclod's data:
25.7 Gr (3665, 3612 fps)
25.9 Gr (3714, 3706 fps)
26.1 Gr (3773, 3766 fps)
26.3 Gr (3806, 3801 fps)
26.5 Gr (3861, 3806 fps)
26.7 Gr (3891, 3894 fps)
26.9 Gr (3834, 3896 fps)
27.1 Gr (3935, 3921 fps)
27.3 Gr (3968, 3918 fps)
27.5 Gr (3948, 3954 fps)

He has a faster barrel than mine, change in altitute, humidity, different primer, faster chrono (or my chrono is slow)....or...or...or

[DarkNight]

Hotshot-
Thanks for sharing your load. So I am reading varying reports on just what isthe max load for 39 gr BK and H4895...... is it 26.5 gr ?

By the way, let me know if they need any cattle veterinarians out there in Montana. I know of 2 vets that are willing to relocate!

[Hotshot]

26.5 gr H4895 is the recommended max load from the Sierra 5th Edition.
The real max load is known only by Silverfox. You might PM him or look up some of his old threads to find the truth.