40gr v max loads for a Howa?

[Lonegunnmenn]

I have been trying for weeks to get a good group with the 40 gr v max out of my howa. The 32 gr blitz kings are great got a .65 in group from them and can't find the 39 gr blitz kings. Can anyone help me

[futuretrades]

My Howa loves both 32gr Vmax and 39gr SBK's. When I first got my 204, I purchased a couple boxes of 40gr VMax. I could not get them to shoot. I started w/H335 powder, because that's what I shoot in my 223. I also tried Benchmark, RE10x to no avail. These are the powders I am using for my 32 and 39gr loads. I still had a full box of the Vmax's and didn't know what to do with them. I also have H4895 powder on hand that I played with in my my 223. I checked the favorite loads listed here, and I see a few loads for H4895 powder, so I figured, what the heck, and did some more load testing with the 40gr vmax and H4895. I finally found a load, that will consistently shoot around 1/2 moa out of my Howa. This load is now my backup load, if I can't find my other 2 choices of bullets. I am not saying this combo will do any better than what you are finding now, but if you can find H4895, or if you have it on hand, hopefully, try it you may find a load that will shoot to your liking.

[Lonegunnmenn]

Ok I was making sure it wasn't just me i have tried h335, h322,CFE 223, 8208,varget, RL-15. And it was just throwing garbage down range. But I still got a few bullets left I will Give that powder a shot if I can find some. While I wait tell some 39 grainers to show up

[magnum]

thats all i shot in my howa is 40 grain vmax CCI br primmers under 28 grains of h4895 just over MAX LOAD!!!! (but i did work up to this) but this combo works well in mine i can get hole in hole if i do my bit at 100 mts IAN

[Rick in Oregon]

Lone: There is a strong chance that your Howa being barreled with a 12-twist barrel will not shoot any of the 40 grainers well....just the nature of the 204 Ruger. Many shooters have given up on the 40's for their 204's because of this, as that weight bullet is long for caliber, and won't properly stabilize in the 12 twist factory barrels.

If you want a heavier bullet, give the 39gr SBK a whirl, as it shoots most excellent in all four of my 204's, both 11 and 12 twist barrels. Most shooters I know that shoot the 32's well in their factory 12 twist barrels have also settled on the 39gr BK as their 'standard heavy' bullet. Using BM and 10X, this bullet shoots easily in the .3's in my rifles.

This will never qualify for a BR match, but shows that the 39 grainer does shoot in 12 twist 204 barrels. This was shot with my Sako M75 Varmint 204 Ruger:



The only 204 I own that shoots bugholes using the 40gr V-Max or Nosler is my custom 11 twist rig, and it will bughole both with it's faster twist. You might want to lay in some Sierra 39's for your Howa 12 twist. JME

[Lonegunnmenn]

Well thank you guys for the help. does anyone know where I can get some 39gr bk seems I missed the boat on those can find 32 gr bk all over

[Tokimini]

Well thank you guys for the help. does anyone know where I can get some 39gr bk seems I missed the boat on those can find 32 gr bk all over

39gr BKs are extinct apparently.

[futuretrades]

I had to make a trip to a bigger town about 70 miles from me. There are 3 or 4 reloading and shooting shops in that town. I only had enough time to visit 2 of them. Only 1 of those actually had some powder and a lot of bullets in stock. I don't need any for myself, but I like to keep up on the situation close to me, as far as reloading supplies go. To my surprise, the 1 shop had a lot of 32, 39, and 40 grain bullets in stock. And their prices were decent also. I guess it depends on where you live, or where you care to travel to, to find products we use, for what we like to do.
BTW, I live in the communist state of Kalifornia. That is the very northern part of the state.

[Lonegunnmenn]

do you have a phone number for that shop and do they ship

[futuretrades]

do you have a phone number for that shop and do they ship

Where are you located? I am guessing they will ship to you, but knowing them you will pay thru the nose for shipping. And you will be charged Kalifornia sales tax on your purchase.
Just curious, how many 39's are you wanting?

[Bill K]

I had to make a trip to a bigger town about 70 miles from me. There are 3 or 4 reloading and shooting shops in that town. I only had enough time to visit 2 of them. Only 1 of those actually had some powder and a lot of bullets in stock. I don't need any for myself, but I like to keep up on the situation close to me, as far as reloading supplies go. To my surprise, the 1 shop had a lot of 32, 39, and 40 grain bullets in stock. And their prices were decent also. I guess it depends on where you live, or where you care to travel to, to find products we use, for what we like to do.
BTW, I live in the communist state of Kalifornia. That is the very northern part of the state.

What town were those shops in ? N.E. Kalifornia, right ? Bill K

[futuretrades]

Redding, Kalifornia

[Lonegunnmenn]

I live in Tacoma WA are sales tax up here is bad to 9.6% and just a box of them for now wanna make sure my gun will like them

[futuretrades]

I did not know Washington sales tax was that hi. Here it is 7.25% and up to around 9.5%, depending on town or county of purchase.

[Rick in Oregon]

Another good reason to live in Oregon. Sales Tax: $0%, zilch, nada, neit, zero. When you pay for an item marked $9.99 and give 'em a ten spot, you get a whopping penny change! My kind of state.

My neighbor state to the south is a grand, very beautiful place, but it's been ruined by the idiots currently running it. Been there, seen it myself.