Getting some Extreme Fliers

[copperking81]

I'm reloading .204 Ruger using 40 grain SBKs and getting some very extreme fliers. When using factory ammo or handloads with different bullets (i.e. vmax) I don't get the same effect. The gun is a strong 1 MOA (or slightly under) shooter but when I use the SBKs I get some very strange results.

I'll shoot a 5 shot group and 3-4/5 will all be within 1 MOA. But one or two will be 12+ inches away (100yds)?!?! No rhyme or reason in terms of how hot or clean the barrel is or the shot number in the group. I've never encountered this and for the life of me, can't trace down the root cause.

From reading different forums, the 40gr SBKs seem to have the best reviews so I'm surprised I'm getting such horrible results. I get that every gun is different but this is truly extreme. I really don't think its my hand loading process either. I'll process a batch at the same time using the Vmax bullet and none of them behave like this. Nor have I seen this with any other of my hand loads in different calibers.

Any idea what could be causing this?

 

[jds holler]

Scope?? jd

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Gotta be a scope or rings to be that extreme if your rest setup is sound

 

[waldo1979]

Are the holes in the paper oblong, I.e. going through the paper sideways? What type of rifle is it? Probably the scope as mentioned above. If that's not it, clean and bore scope.

I've had an issue like this with a ruger .22LR running an SB-x barrel and a with a bushmaster .223. Check that the barrel is tight. My bushmaster was so loose from the factor the assemblers must have been drunk (subsequently sold it and was happy to see it go).

 

[copperking81]

I don't think its the scope or rings. I guess it could be...I'll have to take a closer look. The rifle with its scope has had about 400 rounds through it before I started using the SBKs. Both factory and hand loads. And I have never seen this occur until I tried the Sierra BKs, which I probably should have mentioned, I just started trying. When I go back to the factory ammo or switch to hand loads using Hornady bullets, the behavior is not replicated. In fact, I shot a string of 10 using the SBKs and three of them did this. I then shot 30 rounds using hand loaded Vmax bullets and all groups were at or under 1 inch.

It really seems its related to these bullets in particular which doesn't make sense to me. Everything else shoots like a champ through it.

 

[copperking81]

And frankly, I guess its not a big deal. I can always stick with the Vmax as the go to bullet for this gun but I'm just really interested in understanding what is going on when I use the SBK bullets.

 

[Damon555]

My Remington 700 SPS Varmint 204 couldn't handle the 39 SBK's....they shot all over the place and keyholed.....some shots looked normal but most were oblong. But my Encore Pro hunter 204 barrel liked them just fine. What brand of rifle are you shooting them from and what's the twist? Both mine are 12 twists but the 28" Thompson barrel liked them and the Remington didn't.

 

[copperking81]

Its a Ruger M77. 1/12 twist. And yeah, after going back and looking at the target, the ones that flew way off look slightly oblong. There's only a couple...most didn't even hit paper.

So I guess it's the bullet and my rifle doesn't like them? I'm just amazed that the 40gr Vmax never do this yet this bullet does. My gun loves the 40gr Vmax. It handles the 32gr Vmax well but not as tight at the 40gr Vmax.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Bad batch of bullets maybe

 

[spclark]

Bad batch of bullets maybe

S'what I was thinking....

 

[waldo1979]

probably have issues stabilizing that bullet. Even though those bullets are the small weight, the V-max may have more bearing surface.

i'm surprised the 32gr Vmax doesn't shoot that well for you. What powder are you using?

 

[copperking81]

I'm using CFE223. The 32s actually shoot pretty well up to 300yds and not much of a difference from the 40s. However, much past that and they start to open up. At 400 is where I start to see the difference and realize the better performance with the 40s. The 40's will hold at about 2-3 inch groups (400yds). The 32s start to get pretty erratic at that range.

 

[Cujo]

My rifle used to keyhole the 32 gr SBK's. Switched over to the 34 gr VNEX and 32 gr VMAX and it shoots great. Powders used were Xterminator, TAC, and CFE223.

 

[LitLBoy]

SBK's have a very thin jacket --- if you have even the slightest carbon ring accuracy will go to hell, V-max may shoot just fine. Had a cooper barrel go south at about 700-800 would shoot v-max but not the SBK's. Jacket seems so thin just doesn't take much to mess with them

 

[Webster]

I'm reloading .204 Ruger using 40 grain SBKs and getting some very extreme fliers. When using factory ammo or handloads with different bullets (i.e. vmax) I don't get the same effect. The gun is a strong 1 MOA (or slightly under) shooter but when I use the SBKs I get some very strange results.

I'll shoot a 5 shot group and 3-4/5 will all be within 1 MOA. But one or two will be 12+ inches away (100yds)?!?! No rhyme or reason in terms of how hot or clean the barrel is or the shot number in the group. I've never encountered this and for the life of me, can't trace down the root cause.

From reading different forums, the 40gr SBKs seem to have the best reviews so I'm surprised I'm getting such horrible results. I get that every gun is different but this is truly extreme. I really don't think its my hand loading process either. I'll process a batch at the same time using the Vmax bullet and none of them behave like this. Nor have I seen this with any other of my hand loads in different calibers.

Any idea what could be causing this?

40 gr may be on the border of the proper twist for the 40 SBK. Shoot the ones that work and forget the ones that don't work. Like others said stability is somewhat bearing length dependent. There may be a difference in bearing length in 40 gr brands. Try the 35 gr. they like the 12 twist.

From the Berger manual recommending twist for their bullets in a 204 Ruger.

30 gr. 14 twist or faster
35 gr. 14 twist or faster
40 gr. 12 twist or faster
50 gr. 9 twist or faster

I have a 6BR Norma 14 twist. What I see in my rifle.

58-70 gr. shoot under .400" groups
75 gr. 1.5" groups
85 gr. 12" groups

 

[M-61]

Gotta be a scope or rings to be that extreme if your rest setup is sound

Don't see the scope causing the problem since all others except this one combo (40gr SBK's) shoot fine.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Bad batch of bullets maybe

Yep gotta be bullets

 

['Freak]

Sierra does a 32 and a 39 grain BlitzKing in .20 caliber but nothing in a 40 grain. The 39 grain SBK has become somewhat famous for being stabilized by and generally shootin’ fine in most factory 1 in 12 twist 204 Ruger barrels where nobody else’s 40 grain stuff will do so.

 

[BenPerfected]

My input is to go thru your loaded rounds and make sure you have a min of .002 shoulder bump (headspace). When you close the bolt, you should feel no resistance. Ask me how I know....

 

[copperking81]

Sierra does a 32 and a 39 grain BlitzKing in .20 caliber but nothing in a 40 grain. The 39 grain SBK has become somewhat famous for being stabilized by and generally shootin’ fine in most factory 1 in 12 twist 204 Ruger barrels where nobody else’s 40 grain stuff will do so.

You are correct, these are 39gr (not 40gr as I stated). I misspoke. And your assessment of the 39gr SBK is pretty well in line with everything I've heard and read. That's why I picked some up and why I'm so surprised with my experience. I've read very few bad reviews on them and considering how well the 40gr vmax shoots, got to believe there is something wrong with this particular batch (as others have stated).

Sorry for the err in calling them 40gr...not sure why I was calling them that.