New 204 - first range testing

[Sagebrush Burns]

I was finally able to get out to the range today and start load testing for my new Savage LRPV 204. Weather was about 25 degrees, clear and calm - other than trying to keep warm, a good shooting day. Had a few Hornady factory 32 V-Max for comparison and loaded Hornady 32 & 40 V-Max and Berger 35 BT bullets with H335 and CCI450 primers. The Hornady factory loads chronoed 4060 and went just over .75". 26.0 of H335 was 3705/1", 26.5 went 3765/.875", 27.0 was 3831/.75" and 27.5 was 3908/1"+ all with the 32 V-Max. The 35 and 40 grain bullets both grouped better, going as small as just over .5" with velocities ranging from 3540 to 3690. I haven't reached book max with any of these yet and will continue development as weather allows. It is nice shooting in cold weather as the barrel does not heat up. Of course all high end loads will need to be re-tested in the spring to be sure I am not over max when the weather warms up. In the near future I will also be borrowing some BL-C2 and RL-10X from friends (these seem to be about the most recommended powders I've seen for the 204) and see how those work.

[KVW]

Go get yourself some 39 gr BK. My LRPV loves them. Also check out Hawkeye's Benchmark load w/35 gr bergers. I'm sure you'll find a load that shoot's bugholes soon. Your gonna love the gun you just got.

[Silverfox]

Sagebrush Burns--Don't forget to try H4895 in your .204 Ruger. I have had success with that powder with every weight of bullet I have tried in my .204 Ruger---32 gr., 35 gr., 39 gr. and 40 gr.

[WHISTLEPIG]

Sagebrush Burns, I’ll second the good results with H4895. I have had great results also with 32, 35, and 39 gr. bullets. It is very nice not to have to use a bunch of different powders. I had O.K. results with H322 but not better than H4895 and certainly not good enough to warrant a change for one bullet. I just loaded up ten rounds of dogtowns with imr4895 to test but only because I received 2 pounds free and with the cost of powder I’ll shoot all the free stuff I can get. I’m hoping the dogtowns will be a good enough bullet for squirrels out to 200 yards.