New to reloading

[Bill K]

If you are at that point with one or two loads, then adjust and play with bullet depth, etc with each one and narrow it down to one of them being the more accurate over several group tests. Bill K

[Sundby]

Finally got back out and shot a few of the 39gr
Sierra BlitzKings, with the h4895, the groups were quite a bit better than the 40gr Noslers, going to work a little more with a few of these loads, and see what happens, and maybe try the noslers a bit more.

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[204Luver]

With my 204 my magazine prevents me from getting anywhere near the lands. Doesn't seem to matter, though -- with SBK's I get good groups (average in the .4's), with both the 32's and 39's. My advice is to experiment with all the different powders in the quantities listed by Hodgdon or Lyman (or some other reputable source), starting at minimum and going up in .2 increments. It's very time consuming but it is the only way to be sure you have found the optimum for your rifle.

I use Rem. 7-1/2's until I think I've found the best powder and quantity, then switch to BR-4's. They cost twice as much but they are worth it to me.

[Rick in Oregon]

Sundby, I'd now start tweaking the seating depth of your 27.8gr load, as it seems to be showing promise.

Try changing the seating depth by .005" in and out and re-shoot to check groups size and shape. Ideally, the group will be nice 'n round, but watch for expansion and group size reduction. Once you see a trend, you'll know which way to proceed.

My best H4895 load in the 204 is with the Nosler 40gr bullet in my 12-twist rifles.

As for primers, we all have our favorites, and I'll add that my absolute smallest groups have been shot with the Rem 7-1/2 and the Federal 205M. But once you find the sweet load, the very last thing you want to do then is to change primers! If you decide to try the BR-4, do know that you'll have to start all over again from scratch.

But in defense of the Remington 7-1/2 primer, here's one of my many 204 targets shot during load workup with the 7-1/2:



A couple more targets shot from my Cooper 20 Vartarg with two different bullets, the Nosler 32gr BT and their 32gr Varmageddon flat base tipped bullet, shot with the Rem 7-1/2:



That's just an example of two .20 caliber rifles with three different bullets, all shot with the Remington 7-1/2 primer. You'll never really know how other primers will work until you try them, but stick with one primer at a time during load workup to keep things sane and in prospective in regard to your end goals.

[KetelOne]

With my 204 my magazine prevents me from getting anywhere near the lands. Doesn't seem to matter, though -- with SBK's I get good groups (average in the .4's), with both the 32's and 39's.

I'm having similar results. I typically use a Hornady OAL gage and bullet comparators and start .020" off the lands but with the 204, the bullets are so short that I end up pushing them out of the case before they encounter the lands or I am not left with enough seating depth to reliably hold them in the neck. Anyway, this is what I'm getting out of the Varget load. Might be able to wring a little more out of it but it's sufficient for my needs at this juncture.

[204Luver]

As for primers, we all have our favorites, and I'll add that my absolute smallest groups have been shot with the Rem 7-1/2 and the Federal 205M. But once you find the sweet load, the very last thing you want to do then is to change primers! If you decide to try the BR-4, do know that you'll have to start all over again from scratch.

Prolly the best advice but my experience was that when I found the best load with 7-1/2s and then switched to BR-4's I was only off by .1 grain. I would at least try the BR-4's, even if the 7-1/2's appear to be doing great.

I do not trust 3-hole groups or fewer than three 5-shot groups in testing. I shot several groups where the first three shots went into the same hole, only very slightly enlarged after the first shot, but that turned out with additional testing to not be the best combination. Shooting three or four 5-shot groups is time-consuming and costly, but I would do it if you are serious about finding THE optimum load.

[robert w.]

First off welcome.
Now its trial and error. You have to try lots of loads working up from lowest charge.but keep notes and compare.32 and 35 grain bullets work great in 1 in 12 twist. 39 is pretty good too.best of luck and every rifle has its own sweet spot

[Sundby]

Well I got out once more to try the 39sbk and a few more 40gr noslers, I think I am going to give up on the 40s for now and stick to the 39sbks, I just can’t get the 40s to shoot under 2” groups, I haven’t tried any other powder with it other than h4895, but the 39s are shooting good, in my last test my best group was with the 27.8 gr, but I felt like the primers were just getting a little flattened but not bad, so I backed down to 27.5 and worked backed up to 27.8 in .1 gr increments, well I am happy with 27.5 and 27.6 grains, even the 27.7 is there if I could do my part, 3 bullets in one hole on both groups and others were slightly off, but the weird thing is the 27.8 grain did not shoot good today, probably my shooting again, these bulls eyes are 1in. I’m going to reload some more of the 27.5, and see if they reproduce. Hopefully.

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[Bill K]

That 27.5 combo is look good. Play right around with it, bullet depth, etc. And, with your rifle and twist you are finding what many have, the 39 grain works great, but the 40 goes to heck. Some do well with the 40, but I think you will find they have a faster twist, like 1/9 or so. Just a thought. Nothing wrong with the 39 gr Sierre BK anyway, it will do a number. Bill K

[robert w.]

I couldnt get 40 grains to group in my ruger american and my cz 527 either, powder and charge didnt seem to change much.glad i only loaded 5 at a time to test fire.
39 grains really was a game changer.
First 5 i loaded groups did shrink. Play with those 39s you will find the right load.