alright got out to shoot my reloads today. Last night was my first time loading. I loaded up 5 of each but when i got to the range I had a couple where the nect was damaged when i seated the bullet so i did not shoot those ones. I see promise in the 25.6 gr load.
Benchmark Powder, 35 gr bergers
here are some pics of the groups. (forgot my 25 gr load on the bench so it didnt get shot)
Do you clean after each load? I cleaned the gun last night and then fired 2 factory loas as foulers before I started.
I fired a 5 shot group with factory 32gr vmax at the end and it grouped alright so i dont think a dirty gun was the problem.
i generally clean before i go to the range and after i am done at the range. i do not fire that many shots so cleaning is not that much of an issue.
i try to make all groups with the same number of rounds each. i load down and stay at the low end of the reload manual. i also try to stay with the vmax 32 grain.
gun is a Rem 700 VTR. has an aftermarket boyds thumbhole stock on it. I shoot mostly coyotes so I would like to stay with a more sturdy bullet. the 32gr vmax seem like more of a gopher bullet if you ask me..
Kale_M--I never tried Benchmark with the 35 gr. FBHP Bergers, but I did use it with the 32 gr. V-Max and it seemed to work pretty good. However, my go-to powder for the 35 gr. Berger, the 32 gr. V-Max and the 39 gr. Sierra bullets is H4895. Just keep on testing that 25.6 gr. load and vary the seating depth a bit to see if you can tighten up that group.
Never use anything but the chosen powder for foulers and never mix fouling.
The 17 and 20 cals are very discriminate. Mixing fouling will leave you chasing your tail.
question, why does my COAL length seem so much longer then everyone else? These are seated to the max length my magazine will allow. Even my shorter length ones I tried were in the higher "2.400 range.
2.265 was my lucky spot in several barrels. Never deviated from that even according to barrel wear.
Its been awhile since I've used a 204. Can you even get them out to 2.400+
jo191145 wrote:2.265 was my lucky spot in several barrels. Never deviated from that even according to barrel wear.
Its been awhile since I've used a 204. Can you even get them out to 2.400+
My longest ones where 2.552, they shot well as you can see.
Kale_M wrote:question, why does my COAL length seem so much longer then everyone else? These are seated to the max length my magazine will allow. Even my shorter length ones I tried were in the higher "2.400 range.
Kale
I admit its been awhile since i fired up a 204 for competition.
Using a sized piece of brass and my old lots of 35 Bergs just resting a bullet on the case mouth gives me readings of 2.430 - 2.438 COAL depending on lot. Either your measurements are off or Berger radically changed the 35 Berg profile.
FWIW 26.6gns of BM behind the 35 Berg set @ 2.265 and 2.260 were some darn accurate combos in years past for a couple shooters. Does'nt mean it needs to work for you but I personally always liked a good jump to the lands in the 204.
Kale_M wrote:question, why does my COAL length seem so much longer then everyone else? These are seated to the max length my magazine will allow. Even my shorter length ones I tried were in the higher "2.400 range.
Kale
I admit its been awhile since i fired up a 204 for competition.
Using a sized piece of brass and my old lots of 35 Bergs just resting a bullet on the case mouth gives me readings of 2.430 - 2.438 COAL depending on lot. Either your measurements are off or Berger radically changed the 35 Berg profile.
FWIW 26.6gns of BM behind the 35 Berg set @ 2.265 and 2.260 were some darn accurate combos in years past for a couple shooters. Does'nt mean it needs to work for you but I personally always liked a good jump to the lands in the 204.
Kale_M--Your loaded cartridge seems to be tilted in the jaws of your caliper. I suggest that you slide the base of the casing further back into the jaws so the base sits on the wide flat spot on the jaws. Also, make sure you have your caliper zeroed out with the jaws closed before you do your measurement.
The COAL of my 35 gr. FBHP Berger loads for my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger measure 2.310" on average. Because of deformation of some of the tips, some measure as little as 2.305" and a few measure 2.312". These reloads barely fit in the magazine of my rifle.
Silverfox wrote:Kale_M--Your loaded cartridge seems to be tilted in the jaws of your caliper. I suggest that you slide the base of the casing further back into the jaws so the base sits on the wide flat spot on the jaws. Also, make sure you have your caliper zeroed out with the jaws closed before you do your measurement.
The COAL of my 35 gr. FBHP Berger loads for my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger measure 2.310" on average. Because of deformation of some of the tips, some measure as little as 2.305" and a few measure 2.312". These reloads barely fit in the magazine of my rifle.
just remeasured them, dont kno what happened before but I re measusred these ones at "2.360...that makes more sense!
