Savage Model 12 VLP 204 Ruger - how to improve accuracy?

[NorthernLights]

Hello,

I have a Savage Model 12 VLP chambered in 204 Ruger. With reloaded ammunition I can occasionally get a 1/2 MOA group. Most of the time I get a group just under 1 MOA.

I'm getting my best groups using Hornady 32 grain V-max, Winchester brass, CCI BR-4 primers and IMR 4895. 27.5 or 28.0 grains of 4895 provide about the same groups.

Any suggestions on how to get 1/2 MOA consistently would be appreciated.

 

[JORTZ]

I have had a ton of luck with 32gr nosler spitzers with 27.5 gr of rl15 out of my savage. Also I loaded the to 2.55 oal which is a big jump into the lands. I shoot .25 moa groups.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a Savage mod 12 FCV and have the best luck with 39 grain Sierra's. 40's just didn't do it..Neither did 32's. I have tried 35 Bergers as well.. IMR3031 is what I ended up using.

 

[stacy]

35gr Bergers and VARGET works well for me.

 

[JeffG]

++ on the 35g bergers I get best groups with Re-10

 

[pacificman]

I have a savage model 12 that likes Re-10 with 39gr. sierras. I have heard that h4895 works well also but haven't tried this powder in my rifle. I tried 40 grain v-max but at 200 yards the sierras gave a much tighter group. My rifle seemed to shoot the 32 grainers ok but the heavier bullets always gave a bit tighter groups. I am getting .5 groups at 100 yards with consistency if I do my part. Just some more info for you that might be of use.

 

[weewilly]

I have tried to get 32 gr. to shootin my savage with not too much luck, but have found 39 gr. sierras to shoot best in several Savage rifles that friends have. All that I know that have used sierra 39s have found them to shoot better than any other bullets, although we don't all agree on powder. I shoot win748 in mine, and others have used aa2015, 2230, RL10, and others.

 

[Beau]

Savage Model 12 VLP 204 Ruger - how to improve accuracy?

Put a new barrel on it.

 

[hogpatrol]

Savage Model 12 VLP 204 Ruger - how to improve accuracy?

Put a new barrel on it.

+1 just make it a good one.

 

[BigDMT]

+1,000 for 39gr Sierra BKs

If a 204 Ruger of any make or model wont shoot 39gr Sierra BKs, it probably isnt gonna shoot very good.

My custom Rem 700 204 Ruger posts sub 1/2" groups at 200 yards with 39gr Sierra BKs and RL15 or BLC-2 at 4030 fps.

Even when the rifle was in all factory condition it would still shoot them sub 1/2", but only at 100 yards. Shot that barrel out and turned it into a custom rifle in same caliber. Now it shoots the BKs even better.

 

[fredhorace77]

my good accuracy loads were BLC2 and 35gr. bergers or 39 blitzking with varget

 

[Paddyd]

Try some better bullets like Sierra or Berger. The Vmax is OK, but Ive never had a Vmax that grouped much better than what you got on a repeatable consistent basis. I had a 12 LRPV in 204 and nothing I tried could make a 40 gn Hornady shoot worth a damn. 32s did OK, but never were consistently accurate. I had the same issue with 110gn Vmax in my 308W. Were even worse in the 308. I think they're sensitive to seating depth with that sharp secant ogive.

 

[dfrosch]

OP MIA since he started this thread... 12-1/2 years ago.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Check out the OP post count....1, this one. But I guess shortly after posting he got off there and somehow met his demise, end of story.

 

[Alguapo]

I get outstanding performance with the 32 grn. Vmax's and 8208 powder (27 grns.) in my Savage LRPV.

 

[Tommie]

This is funny

 

[varget204]

Hello,

I have a Savage Model 12 VLP chambered in 204 Ruger. With reloaded ammunition I can occasionally get a 1/2 MOA group. Most of the time I get a group just under 1 MOA.

I'm getting my best groups using Hornady 32 grain V-max, Winchester brass, CCI BR-4 primers and IMR 4895. 27.5 or 28.0 grains of 4895 provide about the same groups.

Any suggestions on how to get 1/2 MOA consistently would be appreciated.

Match prep your brass, use the same brand. FL resize Always, trim to .001 for all cases, sort bullets by Oal or BTOG in .003-.004 lots. Most Savages have a long throat, Have had 5,all liked longer jump. OAL of case & bullets were 2.260 to 2.290,all shot lights out. if you have a Match .204 Barrel, Start seating, Jam Minus .020 in .003 to .005 groups, other powders like Varget, IMR8208, Win-748 ,H322 & H-335 also shot well

 

[CF Junkie]

Northern Lights,

It is difficult to give really effective advice on bullet choice because every barrel I have has a preference.
I have several rifles in the same caliber and barrel length from the same manufacturer that shoot bullet weights on the opposite ends of the weight range. There is no telling what your particular rifle will prefer.

That said, in my experience, I have found that the source of my variation in group sizes with the same bullet/powder combinations using similar seating depths and jumps was my inconsistency in achieving the same firing position for each shot or not managing the trigger pull consistency.

Over the last 15 years I have managed to go from a 1/2 MOA shooter some of the time to a 1/4 MOA shooter almost all of the time, mostly by working hard on getting my 'shooter induced variations' under control.

For example, with my Savage 12 FV .223 with a new Shilen 26-inch barrel. my overall 5-round group average for all the groups shot to date is 0.217 for 456 groups and 118 loads with 20 different bullets. The top 100 loads average 0.211 for 391 groups. The top 50 loads average 0.198 for 195 groups. Obviously, I let some of the groups get away from me. "Shooter induced variations" never totally go away, no matter how small your average overall group size is.

Don't be hard on yourself, just work at getting consistent in your set up, concentrate like heck to get your aim and trigger control precise, and find a bullet/powder combination that your rifle really likes.
I also suggest that you keep records of all your groups. The data will tell you what works based upon statistically valid samples. You can't make any valid decisions by only counting your best bragging groups.
Sometimes your worst groups give you more info because they highlight what you were doing wrong.