204 and BLC-2

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a Savage 12 in 204. Had it for a while and decided to play with some different loads. First I tried BLC-2. For some reason even the minimum load listed caused the bolt to open hard.. Has anyone else had this experience with this powder? Yes I carefully measured the powder and made sure the brass was full length re-sized [new brass] and seated the bullet to 2.25" OAL as per the manual. Rem 7-1/2 primers

I also tried some other powders, R10x, 8208, Varget, IMR 3031, and IMR 4895. R10X made the bolt sticky as well with minimum loads. All the other powders went to max without issues, cept the 10X.. R10X seemed hot using the recommended loads from Alliants site. I stopped at the min load. Pulled the bullets and dumped the powder on the rest of the loads.


Any thoughts? Experiences?

FWIW Varget at Min load is a one hole shooter.. So I am playing with that for now..

 

[swd]

It sounds like your rifle makes pressure with starting loads. It might have a tight barrel or short free bore who knows. Back the loads down to a bit off of pressure signs and chronograph it. If it's making decent speed, work up an accurate load and go shoot it. The bottom line is your only choice is to shoot it with a safe load or put a barrel on it.

 

[Clavius-Walker]

Have you tried that load with fire formed brass yet, I've seen new brass show pressure signs that fire formed brass won't.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have used both new and once fired/trimmed brass. It is only those two powders that are an issue.. Just wondering if anyone else has an issue or a reason.. As stated I can take the rest of my powders to max with no issues..

FWIW temps were in the mid 40's

 

[JASmith]

Try using a felt tip msrker to coat the bullet of s loaded round from the case mouth forward

Then chamber and and eject the loaded round. If you get marks or a ring near the mouth, your bullet is seated too far out.

If the bullet stays in the throat and the case comes out, you are definitely in need of seating the bullet deeper.

 

[varminthunter1]

You don`t mention what bullet you are playing with. It is possible to mimic pressure by oversizing the case.
Have you measured headspace before and after firing?
Jeff

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I'll try it, but as stated all are OAL 2.25" which is what the book calls for.. I did some more research and it looks like there is a data discrepency. One source that I used for the 10X seems to have bad data. Can't remember where I found it. I did find a 204 Sierra load table and both it and the Nosler data show the 10x load I used is just a bit over max. The BLC-2 issue, is still a mystery. The only data I found is online at Hodgdons site calling for min 28 max 30.. Thanx for all the ideas..

 

[Clavius-Walker]

Odd, I had a CZ in 204, wound up using 10x but ran BL-C 2 with no problems.

That's the only time I've ever messed with the powder so I don't know it that well but I'm wondering if you got a hot batch. Do you have any other rifles that you could try a load with it, if that shows a lot of pressure it may be the lot. Kinda guessing here.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I am giving up on 10X. It is supposed to be the go to powder for the 204, but I am exploring other possibilities.

 

[GAnderson]

The issue with 10X doesn't surprise me...I had a tried and true load with 10X in my 204 for years and just recently had to open a newer 5# jug of 10X and it is way too hot now...I previously had been using .2 to .4 less than max load with 10X and cannot get a safe load now with the newer jug of powder. I know it is the powder because I remembered that my brother had the same "older" powder and load as I did, so was able to get a little of the older jug of powder that he had left and it worked just fine. I believe Alliant tried to "clean" up the 10X and in the process, it has become way hotter than it was previously. Alliant's web site for loads doesn't list 10X any more for the 204, so I suspect they know something. I posted about this a while back on the 10X...I now am working with 8208...it seems very forgiving on pressures and seems to have accuracy potential as well. Don't know about the BL-C2.

Gene

 

[Damon555]

Try some H335. I've found some great loads for the 204 ruger with 32 Vmaxs.....the good thing is that it's the powder of choice for my 223's also.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

The issue with 10X doesn't surprise me...I had a tried and true load with 10X in my 204 for years and just recently had to open a newer 5# jug of 10X and it is way too hot now...I previously had been using .2 to .4 less than max load with 10X and cannot get a safe load now with the newer jug of powder. I know it is the powder because I remembered that my brother had the same "older" powder and load as I did, so was able to get a little of the older jug of powder that he had left and it worked just fine. I believe Alliant tried to "clean" up the 10X and in the process, it has become way hotter than it was previously. Alliant's web site for loads doesn't list 10X any more for the 204, so I suspect they know something. I posted about this a while back on the 10X...I now am working with 8208...it seems very forgiving on pressures and seems to have accuracy potential as well. Don't know about the BL-C2.

Gene

You could be on to something. I looked back in my notes and had previously use 10X. I did buy a new jug so that may be what is going on. I am working loads up with a few powders and 8208 is one.. Varget has been excellent so far.. I have a load using 3031 but I think I can do better accuracy wise..

 

[1raggedhole]

I had best luck in my savage 12 LRPV 204 with 40 gr vmax, 205m primers and h322 powder. But honestly it shot very good with nearly every powder I tried.

 

[Shaggy357]

That book is a reference. Your gun will provide better info on the seating depth you need. Any change in components can make a difference also. If you have different brass, bullet, or primer than the book, your pressures could be different. Remington 7 1/2 primer is one of the hottest SR primers. If you substituted it for a Fed 205 or CCI, that could likely be what caused the pressure problem. OAL from the book is based on length to tip of bullet. Use a bullet of a different ogive and the jump to the lands could be very different. Lots of people swear by the BLC-2 powder in the 204.

Good luck and stay safe.

Steve

 

[strut64]

I have not had my Mod 11 in 204 very long. Only tried H4895 and CFE223. H4895 seemed OK. CFE 223 was a disappointment. I will keep searching.