204 Ruger Group II

[wildcat284]

Hey guys,

Went to the range yesterday with some new loads with H4895 and the Sierra 39gr Blitzking. This is the group I shot with 27.7 grs,the book Hodgon max load) but perfectly safe in my rifle, no pressure signs showing. Squares on the target are 1/4 inch.

With this load out of my 22 inch barrel, I hit 3910fps. After shooting 125 rounds down the barrel, the groups suddeny tightened up dramatically.

This load still needs some fine tuning,runout is still causing me grief, due to a very sloppy Lee shell holder - I have a Hornady one on order). I can't hit the lands in this barrel, infact the bullet would need to be seated right out of the case, so OAL is 2.280 to enable me to use the magazine.

There was also a breeze of about 10-20mph blowing at the range yesterday this may have contributed to the group shown.

Cheers,

Michael.

 

[M700]

What's the group measure? Looks pretty decent and you're getting good velocity.

 

[benjamin199]

I have the same rifle and shoot a very similar load.
I use 27.5gr of H4895 with a 39 gr blitzking.
I am only able to get about 3700fps in my kimber pro varmint with this load. You must have gotten a very fast barrel.
Which chrono are you using, I used the CED M2 to obtain a 10 shot average velocity. My OAL is 2.290" to ensure proper feeding from the magazine.
I have been very pleased with the accuracy from this load.
This is the best group from my last range visit, it measures .271" center to center.

 

[wildcat284]

Benjamin,

I have a Pro Chrono,www.competitionelectronics.com). Average velocity for 5 shots with the 27.7 grs H4895 is 3873fps, 2 of those 5 shots achieved 3910 fps.

I am just waiting on my Redding competition neck die set to turn up from Sinclair International. That will get rid of the totally unacceptable runout I was getting caused by my Hornady New Dimension seating die,the FL die was excellent btw). I should see that group tighten up some more.

I also tried to load my cases with the 39gr Sierra BK seated to an OAL of 2.290, but there was no way that they would cycle through the magazine. I dropped down to 2.280 OAL.

FYI 27.5grs H4895 in my Kimber, gave me an average velocity for 5 shots of 3838 fps.

I'm curious to see what velocity and accuracy I get with 28.0grs H4895. I'm also curious to see what maximum load is in this rifle too.

I'm about to try this rig out in the field on live targets, cant wait!

Michael.

 

[Silverfox]

wildcat284--It looks like your rifle is going to be a good shooter. That 3,910 fps with 27.7 gr. of H4895 out of 22" barrel is phenomenal!!! I have a 26" barrel on my Savage 12VLP and use 28.0 gr. of H4895 with the 39 gr. Sierras. The muzzle velocity for this load in my rifle is right around 3,900 fps. I will get an occassional reading of 3,920, 3,905, etc., but the average for 10 shots at the muzzle is right around that 3,900 fps mark.

I use Chrony Beta Master chronograph and have the first screen set up so it is 12' from the muzzle. I use the JBM Trajectory Calculation Page on the Internet to calculate muzzle velocity, drop, wind deflection, etc.

 

[wildcat284]

I was back out at the range today. I loaded 5 at 28.0grs of H4895, just to see how it would shoot. Well, glad I did because 2nd shot was touching the first, then the third shot went through the same hole as the second, 4th shot then touched the 2nd & third, but the 5th was about 1/4 of an inch above the first 4. I was so bummed! The 4th and 5th shots showed some definate vertical stringing.

Some benchrest guys commented on my group about the vertical spread of the 4th and 5th shots and they said to increase my powder charge by 0.2 to 0.3 of a grain and that should then pull the group into a round circle what I have been striving to do. Next time I load, I will do 28.1, 28.2 and 28.3.

I think I am getting close to the ultimate group for this rifle.

Regards,

Michael.