204 ruger 40gr vmax info

mt boy

mt boy

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I am getting ready to start reloading for my 204 and was going to try first the 40g vmax because my buddy gave me a box of them.Was talking to a bunch of guys on so other fourms and they said that a rifle with a 1n12 twist would not stabilize that bullet because the are to long.Has any one had this problem.I know when I shot a box of these they shot pretty well.Any info would be great Thanks
 
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Lots of guys get them to stabilize fine. I, however, could not in a CZ 527 with a 1 in 12 twist. My AR upper has a 1 in 10 and they work great. Test a few loads out and see. I'm not sure why some people can and others can't stabilize them, but I have heard it both ways on the 1 in 12 with 40 gn bullets.
 
I am no expert so correct me if iam wrong but if your gun didnt stabilize them well it be alot more noticeable the farther your shots are
 
I'm still fairly new to the 204 also, my Encore also has a 1n12 twist. I've shot 1/2 box of Hornady 45gr SP with good success? OR I hit what I was aiming at, but still need to shoot more paper.
 
Both my .204's are 1-12 twist, and at first, didn't like either the 32 or 40 gr v-max. I settled on Blitzkings and have been happy. But my shooting buddy wanted me to try some of his 40 gr v-max he had loaded, and I was really surprised at the accuracy. I loaded some 40's and at 100 yds, my gun was shooting in the .2's and .3's and this was without much work-up on loads. I'm definately going to do some more testing before loading for prairie dogs this year.
 
Originally Posted By: nr123Both my .204's are 1-12 twist, and at first, didn't like either the 32 or 40 gr v-max. I settled on Blitzkings and have been happy. But my shooting buddy wanted me to try some of his 40 gr v-max he had loaded, and I was really surprised at the accuracy. I loaded some 40's and at 100 yds, my gun was shooting in the .2's and .3's and this was without much work-up on loads. I'm definately going to do some more testing before loading for prairie dogs this year.

I've read that it is common in some new bbls not to shoot thin jacketed (I think Vmax are some of the thinnest on the market)well until the bbl is broken it. I don't recall the hows and whys of this, but I don't think what you've experienced is uncommon.
I guess the moral of the story is, if your bbl should stabilize and bullet, but it won't shoot well when the bbl is new, give it some break in time and try the bullet again later.
 
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Neither of my .204s like the 32gr bullets, but shine with 39gr and will shoot acceptably with the 40gr V-Max, and so-so with the Hornady 45gr...but not great..

I've started working with loads for the Berger 35gr and they are showing a lot of promise...

You will find that almost every .204 barrel has it's own preferences, and that can change as the barrel use changes..
 
thanks to all for the info,when my dies get here Ill give it a try and post my results.I have been shooting 39 gr blitzkings and for factory load they shot very well so might pick up a box of them and do a little comparing.And com to think of it my gun didnt like the 32 gr bullets either.
 
My Savage shoots 40gr just fine with BLC2 powder (bull barrel, blued). My fathers (heavier fluted stainless barrel) won't - he shoots 32gr bullets in it well (which won't do squat in mine). He uses Benchmark as the BLC2 doesn't group well either.

Different harmonics apparently. Just cause it works for one guy sure doesn't mean it will work for another.
 
I think Stormking has is right, every gun I've used has always performed much better after it has had at LEAST 100 rounds through it. Groups are tighter and rounder.
 
I've got the Savage Predator Hunter in .204 with a 12 twist & have just recently found that it likes the new 40gr Berger Varmint BT the best. These bullets were also developed for the predator hunter in mind as they are very fur friendly.
 
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