#1
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8208 XBR and H4895 in .204 Ruger
I finally made a couple trips to the range with my new/used Savage 12VLP with a 1 in 11 twist stainless steel super match grade Pac-Nor barrel chambered in .204 Ruger. My first trip to the range was on April 8, 2010. I was pretty happy with the way this rifle shot the 35 gr. FBHP Bergers coated with hBN. Here’s a target shot on that first range trip.
Shots 1, 2 & 3 measured .066" center to center!!! I called shot #4 as a flyer because I wiggled a little bit as I squeezed the trigger and if I just measure center-to-center on shots 1, 2, 3, & 5 that gives me a 4-shot group measuring .188". However, I’m still happy with a 5-shot .313" group center-to-center. I didn’t have my chronograph along, so I don’t know what the velocity was and that group was with brand new WW brass. I’ll be loading up some 35 gr. Bergers in fire formed brass with 28.0 gr. of 8208 XBR soon and the chronograph will be along!!! I had a fairly decent group using 8208 XBR and the 40 gr. V-Max on that April 8 trip too, but I got better groups on my next trip to the range. Here’s a couple more targets I shot using 40 gr. V-Max bullets with the .204 with the 11 twist Pac-Nor barrel this past Thursday, April 22. The 27.2 gr. load of 8208 XBR was shot out of brand new brass. I’m going to try two more loads of 8208 XBR with this bullet—one at 27.4 gr. and another one with 27.5 or 27.6 grains. I’d like to get just a bit more velocity to see if that will tighten up the group horizontally and I would also like to wing these 40 gr. V-max bullets out around 3,850 fps or so if that much velocity will still give me tiny groups. I had to try my favorite powder, H4895 too. Here's the target I shot using 27.2 gr. of H4895 using WW brass that had been shot one time and neck sized with a .225" bushing. Shot #3 was 26 fps slower than the average of the 4-shots, but I don't know if that's why it is out to the right or not??? It could have been that I zigged when I should have zagged I'll be loading up a few more test rounds with the 27.2 gr. load of H4895 to see if the group above is repeatable. I need to settle on a load, get a bunch of rounds loaded up and be ready to attack the prairie dogs this spring.
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Catch ya L8R--Silverfox NRA Life Member |
#2
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choosing an accurate load
Those are geat looking groups and obviosuly you're very close to choosing a pet load !
My suggestion, if you have enough scope magnification is to shoot 4 shot groups @ 200 yds. which will make your BEST accuracy load more identifiable. |
#3
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Thanks for the suggestion on the 200 yard tests AlbertaAl. I have a 6-24x scope on the Savage but I'm not sure my old eyes could see the holes. However, I also have a B&L Discoverer 15x-60x telescope I could set up and easily see the holes at 200 yards. I might have to give that a try. However, I might need an oxygen tank after walking out 200 yards and back 200 more
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Catch ya L8R--Silverfox NRA Life Member |
#4
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I'm very far from an expert, but would'nt the longer distance bring in more variables that might distort the group ? Wind, mirage, and others that really don't relate to reloading components and practices ?
Nice groups anyway ! Jim |
#5
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Silverfox...I think you're 100 yd shooting was so good that 200 yards shouldnt be a problem.
Jim...I also agree with your thoughts. it's defintiely more challenging and more involved when the distances are extended. There's a higher percentage for human error. Elements of weather and mirage might require choosing the "perfect day" I've practiced shooting test loads @ 200 or 300 yd. dustances and found the accuracy factor as being easier to read Al |
#6
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Interesting and great results Silverfox.... I purchased a .204R (Cooper Classic) a couple months ago and finally got my hands on a couple pounds of 8208 XBR last weekend. I am looking forward to trying this powder in the .204R and also the 20 Tactical. I have another Cooper in 20VT but have seen limited data for IMR 8208 for this round.
Now if the wind would subside somewhat, I could get to the range to run some test. Hope to see similar results |
#7
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20 vt imr 8208
I tried the 8208 in a 20 VT I had built and the speed is disapointing.
19.4 gn. behind a 32 Vmax was only 3105 FPS out of a 22" barrel. |
#8
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Choas...
My guess would have been that powder is too slow for that short of a barrel. I could be wrong...I certainly have been in the past
I am still early in the learning curve, sure seems to work well in my 204R, and 223... I don't mean to steal the thread, has anyone tried it in a Bobcat or Duster? Larry
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Pray for Obama. Psalms 109:8 American King James Version Let his days be few; and let another take his office |
#9
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20 VT short barrel
Hey Larry, any suggestions on a short barrel powder. The H 4198 at 18.6 is getting me 3475 fps with Berger 35's and cci 45O's. I really don't understand how powder burn rates work in relation to case size and bullet weight. Thanks for your help, Les
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#10
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Chaos
This might help for loads. http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html#20VARTARG Simple explanation, slower powder generally needs a longer barrel to burn completely. As to case capacity/bullet weight to burn rate, that is a VERY complicated subject. 45-70 with a 400 grain bullet uses pretty fast powders like 4198 as does a 17 FB with a 20 grain bullet. Conversly, a 243 with 80-100 grain bullets likes 4831 as does the 300 Weatherby with 125-220 grain bullets. In general but here are exceptions, the more over bore (fancy term that just means a lot of case capacity for the bullet being shot and includes typical ones like 7MM RUM and Rem Mag, 300 Mag and RUM, 243, 30-378, 22-250, 17-300 Win Mag etc) the cartridge the slower the powder it will like. If you do some reading on the powder maker's material and reloading manuals they will give you some insights into burn rates. |
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