SmallCaliberCentral

i am have a hard time getting the 39 bk to group out of my savage 12 vlp.I have tried 4064 ,varget , bl-c(2). the varget shot about .5 group and 4064 was an inch bl-c(2) was terrible any suggestions

Couldn't get the 39 gr. SBK to shoot worth a darn in my 12 FCV, even with 5 different powders.
40's shoot fine.

Try 40 Vmax,and CRT bullets in the mid 30s.Stay with the Varget for now.Prep brass adljust seating depth COAL to 2.3-2.4.Check gun for free floated barrel,and trigger adjustment.The heavier the trigger Pull,the more consetration is required to shoot good groups.Some barrels shoot better when dirty (like 20 rounds),depending on powder mostly.Use one target for sight-in and fowling shots,then shoot 5 shot groups on seperate targets with a small aiming box,like a 100yd Benchrest target.Once you are at .500,many little things could inprove the groups.Not always.Could be the barrel,but try everything within the realm of posibilities.A challenge for sure.

I'm guessing 100yds with a good rest. 3 or 5 shot groups?

I would play around with the best Varget loads & see what you can make out of it since you have a darn good start already.

thanks guys i was just hoping to get some one hole groups. like you see many people say the get out of these guns. i will keep playing around see what happens

Sounds like the Varget is wanting to shoot. Play with seating depth if you have room. Also, remember, some of these groups you "hear" about are on the computer and may be the best group they have shot and not the norm.So don't don't take for granted that everyone is shooting groups int he 2's and 3's. Don't get stuck on one powder either. Try some H4895 or Reloader 10x. Probably two of the most commonly used powders in the 204. Oh yeh, and 8208 XBR.

This is how I did with the 39 gn BK's. The photo has most info you might ask for. I do belive that this is a light load, but it is almost a compresed load at that. The power is at the base of the neck. I am still going to try and up it by .5 to 1 gn.

My go-to powder in both my 204's is Benchmark. I shoot 32 gr Blitzkings in one gun, and 39 gr Blitzkings in the other. However, some "limited" experiments with 10X was very good too. Could be your gun just may not shoot the Blitzkings.

The Savage 12 vlp is very accurate so with correct powder/bullet combination it will do the job, I have a Thompson center Hunter .204/ I used h4895,h322,h335, varget, Blcs,recently testing CFE223, all do very well my rifle seems to prefer the 40gr berger the T/C is a 1/10 twist. My groups run between .200 to .500, honestly IMO once you get down around .500 I believe for better groups it depends on a number of issues to do better,type of rest, scope, type of target(aim small) and last but not least the shooter.

I've never crimped a rifle round in 40+ years of reloading however recently I tried a Lee FCD with my AR reloads and it improved groups now I'm going to try it in my bolt actions, I fully understand if neck tension is correct crimp should be unnecessary however my feeling is whatever works.

Regret selling my VLP! Keep an eye on your form and build your ammo consistent and you'll get your groups! As I recall I was doing 0.5" 5-shot groups with 39 SBKs, and a tad better when I shot well.

Also... 'better treat the wind seriously!! some days you'll swear it doesn't matter... but get a true cross-wind and you'll change your mind! Watch your 100y 0.2" group change to 0.5" .. oh yes indeed!

I've had good luck with both 8208XBR and Reloder 10X with 39gr BKs. As Joe O said try tweaking your COAL. My rifle's sweet spot is 2.306 inches. Anything more or less the groups get bigger.

evansvlp wrote:i am have a hard time getting the 39 bk to group out of my savage 12 vlp.I have tried 4064 ,varget , bl-c(2). the varget shot about .5 group and 4064 was an inch bl-c(2) was terrible any suggestions

I just got load data for the bk. would you like me to send it to you.

Darius

yes that would be great evans465@gmail thanks

Email was sent. Hope this helps you out. It was from Sierra.

Your particular barrel doesn't like them, the .204 is a particular beast in that regard. Kinda like trying to make a six year old eat liver for dinner. My experience tells me that the 1:12" standard twist was way too slow. Guys with faster twist barrels have better luck. It isn't the bullet, it's the peculiarity of that particular barrel. Try some 30 -35 grain bullets. Don't even bother trying to get that bullet to shoot. If nothing else works, try the 26 grain Barnes Varmint Grenade and Reloader 10x (around 25.0 - 25.2 grains).