Mini-14 .204 Load

[Pietro panama]

Had a Mini-14 built in .204 for prairie dogs. Don't like AR-15s but wanted something in semi for sight picture retention----shot to shot. Very nice end result---1" SS bbl with brake to neutralize recoil, which works well---anchutz style stock.
In my .204 bolt guns I have had success with 27.0g XBR8208 behind Hornaday 40 V-Max or Sierra 39g Blitz Kings. No success with same in Mini-14. Also tried 32g with --27.5-28.9g--3738-3962fps--XBR8208----but Terrible ESs-----67, 32, 41, 74, 42, 31, 15, 38. Have only shot at 100yd, but assume accuracy will be terrible out to 300-400.
Can anybody give me some load direction?

 

[Pietro panama]

TTT

 

[KMart]

I have one of these in 223 and you have your work cut out for you.
I don't know if they are still in business, but Accuracy Rifle Systems use to make a set of gas port bushings and finding the right one can help control the gas pressure and make it shoot better.
Also, I think you can get an adjustable gas block through Brownells

Good luck.

 

[Pietro panama]

Thanks Kmart. Accuracy Systems built the rifle for me. I asked for heavy 1" bbl for better accuracy, but am advised now that variable gas port cannot be used with larger bbl. It's a nice pretty gun-------just doesn't shoot. A.S. guarantees sub MOA which it does, but I 'assumed' I could get it to shoot much better----not so far.
Someone suggested I use different powder with different burn rate. I don't know where to start on that. Any ideas?
Any additional advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Pete

 

[KMart]

The only advice I can give you on the 204 is that I had (bolt gun) good luck with 39 Sierra BK and AA 2015. The 204 seems to like lots of jump so don't crowd the lands.

 

[jo191145]

How were the groups with the 32's?
Don't get hung up on your ES on a 204. I used to shoot a lot of 204's in competition and the first thing I learned was ignore that ES number. It's pretty irrelevant out to 300yds. The 204 is an animal all its own which breaks normal rules.

Getting any mini under 1 moa is a tough job. Seems AS did a pretty good job.

My personal go to powders in the 204 were W-748 with 35 Bergers and BenchMark with 40 gn Bergs. A total switch on powder rates vs bullet weight but it worked depending on which barrel I was using.
If 100yards is your easiest shooting yardage look for the tightest, most consistent groups and go from there.

Oh yeah, what's your twist rate?

 

[Pietro panama]

JO119145: 1:12 twist -- same as my Cooper bolt and Savage bolt guns, which shoot great. Assuming it's the gas operation that is the issue.
Had never ignored ES before. Kinda subscribe to the Erik Cortina method of shooting incremental loads, picking speed leveling, ES, and then fine tune with jump distance. Had never seen ES's of 50, 60,70 with bolt guns. Thinking that an ES of 60 at 400 yards would mean large verticals. Gas guns might be different.

I honestly don't understand burn rates in relation to gas operation of rifle. I knew that standard .223 Mini 14s were notoriously inaccurate---------so went custom and .204 for better longer range performance.

Appreciate everyone trying to help.