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Old 01-25-2018, 09:54 AM
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Default Anyone every buy/build a .204R that shot 32gr. bullets best?

Hey guys~flight-of-fancy question here, but back when I had a .204R that preferred bullets on the "heavy" end of the spectrum for that caliber, I did test some 32gr. V-Max (ON varmints) and was... intrigued with the results. I'm aware of the long-distance limitations of bullets so light (and with a less than ideal BC)...but still, I'm wondering if anyone out there with a modern-production .204R has found their 32gr. handloads to be the best shooters.

I primarily shoot a 1:9", .223 that shows a strong preference FOR lighter bullets, so I know some faster twist rates sometimes defy common logic on fast=heavy. Lots of .204Rs seem to be 1:12" which should..in theory...favor lighter stuff, but mine didn't.

Light/heavy all being relative terms. The "heavy" mine preferred were 39gr! lol

At this point, no desire to look at the wildcat .20s (though I'd love to try one) Strong preference would be a Tikka Varmint.
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Old 01-25-2018, 10:11 AM
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I have a model seven that shoots factory 32g very well so good infcact i never bothered to reload for it.
It on the other hand did not like the 40g
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Old 01-25-2018, 10:16 AM
tchardy1972 tchardy1972 is offline
 
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Good friend of mine shoots a 700 sps varmint that prefers the lighter stuff.
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:19 PM
WildCats WildCats is offline
 
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My Rem LVSF puts the 32 gr Sierra's into one rough hole, all stock except the trigger.

WC
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:28 PM
Salavee Salavee is online now
 
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I have an older Tac .20 on a Nesika action that was built before the .204 Ruger was introduced. All we had available to start with were the old 33 gr Bergers at the time and it shot them very well. Later, the new 32 V-Max shot better than the Bergers .

I'm now using 33 gr Hp's by Calhoon and they shoot at least as well as the 32 V-Max. No luck at all with 39's or 40's due to the 12 twist. Next barrel gets a 10.75 twist.
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Old 01-26-2018, 08:29 AM
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Thanks guys! Some good options. Wondering if anyone of you have loaded-up 32gr for the Tikka Varmint..?
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Old 01-26-2018, 09:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundhogger View Post
Thanks guys! Some good options. Wondering if anyone of you have loaded-up 32gr for the Tikka Varmint..?
I have a hunting partner that shoots the factory 32's out of his Tikka and they shoot awesome. Won't help much with load development but at least you know they will stabilize.
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Old 01-26-2018, 09:42 AM
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Hmmm...any photos of groups? What kind of accuracy? Don't sweat it if it's hard to track down.
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Old 01-26-2018, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Groundhogger View Post
Hmmm...any photos of groups? What kind of accuracy? Don't sweat it if it's hard to track down.
No no groups I just know the few groups I have seen have been quite good.around 1/2 inch from a guy who has very little target shooting experience.
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Old 01-26-2018, 10:18 AM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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I've got a T3 hevi barrel in 204R (think its 24") all factory except for the stock (which I broke with my ribs in a car wreck but that's another story). I can usually do better with 32gr Vmax than 40Vmax. Side by side groups, on average, are about .25" larger with the 40's than the 32's. These are all handloads. At the speeds I'm producing, ballistics show that the 32 shoots flatter and has similar energy than the 40 as well so I pretty much stay with the 32's. I rarely go past about 300 yds cuz I'm just not confident out there.

That hevi barrel is a pain to carry around, and awkward to manoever
and shoulder but it's my fav gun to shoot. I never carry it far so that's fine by me. Tikka triggers are pretty tough to improve on. I've got a Timney in my 270 and it is better but not by much. Maybe just a bit crisper.

I'll find my speed/recipe and post it later.

Edit: I forgot I've got a Waters 9shot metal clip as well. Huge improvement over the factory plastic.
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Old 01-26-2018, 10:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aardvaark View Post
I've got a T3 hevi barrel in 204R (think its 24") all factory except for the stock (which I broke with my ribs in a car wreck but that's another story). I can usually do better with 32gr Vmax than 40Vmax. Side by side groups, on average, are about .25" larger with the 40's than the 32's. These are all handloads. At the speeds I'm producing, ballistics show that the 32 shoots flatter and has similar energy than the 40 as well so I pretty much stay with the 32's. I rarely go past about 300 yds cuz I'm just not confident out there.

That hevi barrel is a pain to carry around, and awkward to manoever/shoulder but it's my fav gun to shoot.

I'll find my speed/recipe and post it later.
I'd appreciate that, thanks! I've owned a .204R in the past (a Cooper sporter-weight barrel, my only foray into guns in that $ range) and to be honest, I prefer varmint hunting with a synthetic stocked-heavy barrel. I know the Savages are shooters, I've owned a couple and my current varmint gun is a model 10 in .223. I think it's Tikka time, but I'm really trying to put the bullet preference first......if that makes sense. The thought of a Tikka varmint preferring 32gr. V-Max bullets (hand loads) would be very good news to me.
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Old 01-26-2018, 10:49 AM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundhogger View Post
I'd appreciate that, thanks! I've owned a .204R in the past (a Cooper sporter-weight barrel, my only foray into guns in that $ range) and to be honest, I prefer varmint hunting with a synthetic stocked-heavy barrel. I know the Savages are shooters, I've owned a couple and my current varmint gun is a model 10 in .223. I think it's Tikka time, but I'm really trying to put the bullet preference first......if that makes sense. The thought of a Tikka varmint preferring 32gr. V-Max bullets (hand loads) would be very good news to me.
I'd have to say, with the twist this gun has and the barrel length etc it definitely shoots 32's better. Not saying a different gun with tighter twists won't shoot 40's better, but my combo definitely prefers 32. Also, don't forget, mine's a hevi barrel, the varmint could be diffferent. I've read it somewhere that the factory twist in most 204's is pushing the boundaries to get a 40 gr to stabilize. At least out to distance. So if you built one with a tighter twist -?-?

I've got 2 Tikka's and a Sako in my stable and they are my fav's. But that's also the top end of my $ bracket too, so my experience is different too. Having said that, my 270 is a Savage and I certainly have no complaints about it either. (The Timney trigger helps alot. Don't like the Accu trigger.)

I'll send a PM with my loads, you know, lawyer type reasons.

Last edited by aardvaark; 01-26-2018 at 10:55 AM.
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Old 01-26-2018, 12:17 PM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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Default Vmax pics at 100 yds

Cant get my photo to upload, I think its too 'large'. Can't figger how to downsize it. Sorry

Last edited by aardvaark; 01-26-2018 at 12:33 PM.
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  #14  
Old 01-26-2018, 01:30 PM
Ranch11 Ranch11 is offline
 
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My tikka t3 stainless will shoot em touching at 120 yards.

My weatherby vanguard shoots all bullet weights into under an inch.

and my xbolt varmint will shoot all kinds of factory ammo, and bullet weights into under an inch.

The sako 85 varminter I used tho own would keyhole the 32 grain, tumbling out of the barrel for some reason, but the 40's were ok.

I've found the weatherby and the xbolt not fussy at all. But the tikka only likes that 32 grain hornady stuff.
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Old 01-26-2018, 08:40 PM
wolf308 wolf308 is offline
 
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Didn't read much

But yes. The gun I really learnt to shoot with and handload for is a 700 sps varmint.

Found out the long way it didn't like anything but 32 grainers and does not like boat tails like noslers either. 204 don't need em anyway but was new to everything.

Shoots well under 1/2 moa out to 300 anyway.

Gophers don't like it
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Old 01-26-2018, 09:01 PM
Shooty Shooty is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundhogger View Post
Thanks guys! Some good options. Wondering if anyone of you have loaded-up 32gr for the Tikka Varmint..?
32 gr V-max, 27.2gr Benchmark. T3 Varmint. 3 shots into one hole, just little bigger than a single shot hole.
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Old 01-26-2018, 11:05 PM
traderal traderal is offline
 
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My T3 varmint liked 32 gr, not 40's. My savage 12FV liked the 40's. Both 1/2 moa or better with factory loads.
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Old 01-27-2018, 01:34 AM
Fordevr Fordevr is offline
 
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My t3 hb Varmint used to shoot 32vmax best but currently switched to 40 Nosler bt. Doesn’t shoot the 40 vmax very good. Buddies savage hb thumbhold shoots 32 vmax great
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Old 01-27-2018, 11:47 AM
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Groundhogger Groundhogger is offline
 
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Music to my ears guys, thanks so much! Great to hear the rifle I'm keen on shoots the bullet weight I want to play with...the best!

Thanks again,
GH
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  #20  
Old 07-11-2019, 02:17 PM
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Groundhogger Groundhogger is offline
 
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Default Took a year and a half, but I have a new Tikka 204!

Quote:
Originally Posted by aardvaark View Post
I've got a T3 hevi barrel in 204R (think its 24") all factory except for the stock (which I broke with my ribs in a car wreck but that's another story). I can usually do better with 32gr Vmax than 40Vmax. Side by side groups, on average, are about .25" larger with the 40's than the 32's. These are all handloads. At the speeds I'm producing, ballistics show that the 32 shoots flatter and has similar energy than the 40 as well so I pretty much stay with the 32's. I rarely go past about 300 yds cuz I'm just not confident out there.

That hevi barrel is a pain to carry around, and awkward to manoever
and shoulder but it's my fav gun to shoot. I never carry it far so that's fine by me. Tikka triggers are pretty tough to improve on. I've got a Timney in my 270 and it is better but not by much. Maybe just a bit crisper.

I'll find my speed/recipe and post it later.

Edit: I forgot I've got a Waters 9shot metal clip as well. Huge improvement over the factory plastic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shooty View Post
32 gr V-max, 27.2gr Benchmark. T3 Varmint. 3 shots into one hole, just little bigger than a single shot hole.
Hey guys...when I said "new" rifles are few and far between, I meant it! lol A year and a half after posting this thread, a new Varmint in 204 is sitting at home...waiting for the first shoot. Actually, waiting for the right height of rings...and THEN the first shoot.

I'm pouring over PMs, this thread, others online...and looking for recipes using 32gr. V-Max bullets. Not in a panic though, the 17 Hornet is whacking groundhogs again this year.

Anyhow, I don't compete anywhere/any time...so no fear I'll take your loads and go win any $ or notoriety. Just looking to rearrange Ontario groundhogs with my new gun. Plain and simple! Oh, and I picked-up some factory 32gr. Hornady Superperformance, as I typically run factory ammo through a new gun first...and Hornady brass as always served me well.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond.
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Old 07-14-2019, 07:25 AM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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I’m out of town right now but I’ll get back to you on this when I get back home.
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  #22  
Old 07-14-2019, 12:21 PM
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Default 204

I reload for 3 204’s. 2 savage 12’s and a T3 light. I have posted loads and other info about them on here in the past. Just do a search with my name and should find some good info for ya.
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Old 07-14-2019, 08:29 PM
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I had excellent results with 32 gr. Vmax and IMR 4895 in my Kimber varmint but found them too light for coyotes. I load 40 gr. Vmax over Varget for coyotes and the 32 gr I only use for gophers out to 250 yds. It doesn't take much of a wind to drift the 32's.
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Old 07-14-2019, 11:36 PM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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Default 32gr vmax

I’ve been using 27.5gr RL15 and .020 off the lands. That gets them going around 4100 FPS and I’ve shot lots of half in groups at 100 yds with that. That’s using Rem brass. Your loads may be different. Once shot a group of 3 at 300 yds that was 1”. Always start 10% less and work up from there.

I use Rem brass cuz it’s lighter than Win or Hornady which translates to larger case capacity. And I weigh all my brass after it’s been prepped before loading. And only use that weight of brass with that load. Shortly after I got the gun I bought several boxes of Hornady factory rounds. Cuz it was the same price as the H brass at the time. Couldn’t get them to group, mostly aroun 1” to 1.25”. I’ve also found with the once-used factory loaded brass, the weights are all over the map. Possibly part of the reason for the poor groups. Hornady brass that comes as brass only (not factory loaded) is much better for consistent weight. But quite a bit heavier than Rem. I use it with the 39 gr sierras. Still working on that one but it looks promising. And I’ve also found that the 40 vmax will group well at 100 yds but it opens to 4 inches by the time it gets to 200 yds. So not stabilizing properly.
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Old 07-15-2019, 07:11 AM
bubba300 bubba300 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tchardy1972 View Post
Good friend of mine shoots a 700 sps varmint that prefers the lighter stuff.
Had the same rifle,really liked the 32 gr. but not the 40 or 45 gr. bullets
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Old 07-15-2019, 07:15 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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My Cooper in 20 Tac shoots bot the 32gr and 39gr Blitzking sub 1/2moa.
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Old 07-19-2019, 10:58 PM
wolf308 wolf308 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tchardy1972 View Post
Good friend of mine shoots a 700 sps varmint that prefers the lighter stuff.
Ditto for mine

Jeez old thread
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Old 07-23-2019, 11:50 AM
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Slash8 Slash8 is offline
 
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I shoot a Ruger M77 MK11 Target in .204 with a 1-12 twist. It likes 32 gr Hornady Factory loads and 40 gr as well but absolutely loves hand loaded 32 gr V-max bullets pushed with 29 grains of Varget powder in Remington Brass and match grade primers. Muzzle velocity was around 3900 if I remember correctly. The 40's tightened up a bit as well by hand loading but on average 1/2" MOA all day long with the 32's @ 100 Meters. One thing I noted was I need to clean about every 20 shots as the group generally starts to open up around there and copper fouling can be an issue as well.
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Old 07-28-2019, 07:17 AM
bubba300 bubba300 is offline
 
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Mine would shoot around 50 rounds and would have to be cleaned.It also liked about 10 shot threw it to warm it up, then the groups would tighten up.
To finicky so I sold it.
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  #30  
Old 07-29-2019, 02:40 PM
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For my Savage 116 I shoot 32 Gr Vmax with 29 GR BL-C2. Seems to really like this combo.
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