.204 Remington 700 SPS Varmint

V

Volstandigkeit

New member
Got my rifle ordered, and should have it Friday. I'm a long way from ever hitting the range yet, but I would still like to decide on a powder and bullet to start with. I know each rifle likes a different load, even consecutively number rifles will vary. That said, I'm deciding between Hornady and Winchester for brass. Bullets between 32 and 39 gr. That still leaves the hardest part, which powder? For rifle powder, I've got H335, AR Comp, 748, and IMR4895. If I need to, I can always buy a pound of something else, but I'd like to start out with what I've got first. I know there aren't many loads developed for AR Comp yet, but it's something under consideration still. Any suggestions?
 
Mine was a 1-10 twist and it shot the crap out of the cheapo 34gr dogtowns using H4895 at about the 26gr range. That was in an AR 15 though. Lots of people have good luck with the 39gr sierras and H335 though too. Dont know what you shoot out of your 223 for bullet weight but the H4895 is good in it for my using heavies. I'd also giv TAC a try in the 204
 
Last edited:
I'd also go Winchester for bras. I had lots of cases stick with the hornady brass and just from my action cycling was stretching the lip on the cases then they would rip through in my sizer die. Winchester is a good brass, it's about all I use if I can
 
Glad to have the heads up on the Hornady stuff. The premium they charge doesn't quite justify the hassle. I have had a couple issues like that with my 223, so that simplifies that choice. Winchester it is.

Forgot to mention the rifle I have coming is a 700 SPS-V. Has a 1-12 twist.

I think I may toy around with my 223 and 243 this summer as well to find what they like best as well.
 
My buddy has the same gun. His loved 39gr BK and H335. I loaded to mag length and that really tightened up the groups. It shoots under half moa consistantly. Sweet shooting gun. I shot the same gun in .223 lastweekend it was a shooter too. Im not a fan of hornady brass either
 
Last edited:
35 grain Bergers with Benchmark. I am using Hornady brass, because it was free. Typically I use Winchester brass, but I have no complaints about the Hornady.
 
Picked up some 40 gr Nosler BTs and Winchester brass on my lunch break at work tonight. Would have liked to have gotten some bks but Bass Pro didn't have any. Should at least be able to get it on the paper with these. Haha
 
Originally Posted By: VolstandigkeitPicked up some 40 gr Nosler BTs and Winchester brass on my lunch break at work tonight. Would have liked to have gotten some bks but Bass Pro didn't have any. Should at least be able to get it on the paper with these. Haha

Some 204's with the 1:12 twist do not like the 40gr. bullets. Maybe yours will.
IMR8208XBR with 37gr. CRT's or 35gr. Bergers is what mine loves. It also likes the same bullets with H4895. Either load is with Hornady brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers. Remington brass is a good substitute for mine also.
Hornady 45gr.sp's shoot very well in mine, but the 40's do not.
 
The one i shot did ok with 40gr v max factory stuff, around a inch or so. The 39gr BK really shined. Iv seen some remmy .204s shoot the 40's but not very many. Let us know how it does.
 
A buddy of mine had a sps varmint in 204. I loaded for it. We started with 40gr factory hornady ammo and it did not group at all. Went to 32gr factory hornady ammo and it loved it. Then when I convinced him to start letting me reload for him we settled with 32gr vmax, hornady brass, winchester small rifle primer and varget for powder. It was one accurate gun.
 
That's what I get for posting so late at night. I didn't end up with 40 grainers, I got a box of 32s. I started the go with the 40s because my mind was thinking less surface area to contact the rifling being a boat tail over a flat base. But I talked myself out of it based on all the info out there plainly stating the 1-12 twist barrels don't like heavier bullets.
 
Mine really likes the 39 gr. sbk and viht 133. It wouldn't shoot the 32 gr. at all. I tried 2520,varget,H335,reloader 10,748,H4198, and viht 133 with the 32 gr. My gun just didn't like the 32's. It really shoots the 39's great, worth a look.
 
I second the Win. brass suggestion. I split the necks of about 2-3% Hornady brass. My 1:12 sabre defense doesn't do 39 grain BKs.

The lack of boat tail on the 32's Vmax's really irritated me while reloading. Takes 4 times the time to seat those 32s or 26 gr. Varmint Grenades on that tiny .204 neck as it does a boat tail.

You've read this recent thread, right?

-s
 
I have a ruger M77 mark 2 target in 204 ruger 1-12 twist mine loves the 40gr Vmaxs over 28.0gr of IMR4064 and CCI BR4 primers average velocity was 3850 but my ES was a little high at 25. First load i tried in it cant complain. Still very accurate i loaded to Max mag length which was about .050 off lands IIRC. good luck with your 204 they are a blast so much fun to shoot all day.
 
What velocities are you guys coming up with? I'm just curious cause I just loaded up some .204, Remington brass, br 4 cci primers, 26.3 - 28.3 gr of H4895. I'm headed out to the range tomorrow I hope if the weather is good. I'll post the results.
 
Just got done with my first round of test loads. I was happy to see as the velocity increased my groups tightened up to under sub moa. So anywhere from 3700 to my max of 3950 is where my sweet spot is. The 35gr bergers seem to like my gun. Now back to the reloading bench to fine tune the load.
 
Back
Top