Tumblers

[Woody]

Working up recipes for a Savage in .204 Ruger. Reloading 32 gr. Sierras, having approx. 1 of 3 in two batches that the bullet
printed on the paper sideways. The 32 gr. vmax have no problems
this way. Any thoughts on why the Sierras are doing that? This was at the 100 yd range. They are doing it at the higher end of the powder charge it appears, the lower velocity is Ok. Thanks.

 

[Silverfox]

Woody-- I think you answered you own question. You noted that the bullets tumbled with your hottest loads and did not tumble with the milder loads. The 32 gr. Sierra BlitzKings do not seem to be able to handle the "extra" RPMs when you push them to higher velocities.

I have noted the same problem out of my Savage 12VLP. It seems like the 3,950 fps speed area is where they really start to tumble. However, I have had a couple of these bullets tumble at the 3,922 fps level as well. Below that velocity, they seem to be OK. I think Sierra probably needs to make the jackets just a wee bit thicker so these bullets can stand up to the faster velocities. There is no excuse for Sierra to make a 32 gr. bullet for the hot .204 Ruger that cannot be driven at least up to the 4,100 to 4,150 fps range.

Like you, I have had absolutely no problems with the 32 gr. V-Max bullets at velocities in excess of 4,250 fps!!! They really do a number on prairie dogs too. I haven't shot more than a couple prairie dogs with these 32 gr. Sierras, but am trying to work up a load that will have a muzzle velocity in the 3,850 to 3,900 fps range to use for prairie dogs. I hate to see these 32 gr. Sierras hit the ground halfway to the target because they are tumbling!!!

 

[Hipshot]

Also, tumbling will be amplified if the bullets are not absolutely symetrical in shape and weight.

 

[Woody]

SF

Yeh, just couldn't believe they wouldn't handle the velocity. Just thought it had to be something else.

The Vmax's are what we were hoping to use anyway but thought
why we were at the recipe game for accuracy that we would try
some of the Sierra's. Found it odd for the 20 cal bullets like
you said that we try and push over 4k fps.

I reloaded for a friends Cooper in .204 a year or so ago and tried the Sierra's but didn't experience that. We may have never pushed them over 4k fps. Don't remember. There again we were hoping for the Hornady's in the accuracy win. We didn't push the envelope and I think we ended up with dime groups using VV140 at 29.2 gr. and with his 24" barrel I believe it chronied at 3920 fps. I would have to look at my notes.

Thanks for the response.