Who is willing to take a look at my targets and make suggestions

[Schandler]

I have a new to me 204 in rem xr100 and I have worked up loads for all my rifles for 20 years but thought I would ask on this one. I have 3 different targets and I have taken pics of them. I can't post but I will email if you are willing to tell me your opinion and suggestions. 3 different powders and one type bullet. 322. Benchmark and H4895 Same brass and primer 205m. Berger 40gr bullets. On the first target center is benchmark. middle center is 4895 and 3rd center is 322. All 3 powders look the same and I was on a rest with bags and taking my time - no pull offs or boob ups All at 100 yards. Now the 4895 middle center is 3 shots but looks like 2 but I chose to use 322 befor I knew this (after I laid targets on table inside ) anyhow I don't want to burn barrel up before I find a load and I just don't know which powder to go with now. Went up with the 322 and opened up so I thought about 4895 I can email pics if you are willing to Tell me your thoughts Thanks

 

[memo43]

I'll take a look at them.
memo_43@yahoo.com
Do you have any chrono speeds also what's the furthest distance you intend to shoot

 

[Schandler]

3600 on 25gr of 322 from chart but I have not actually put chrono on it yet. Mostly 100 and 200 yards but I love to shoot crows further out at different ranges nothing over 300. I want to ask this - col in book is 2.26 I have found the few 204's I have shot have long throat - no touching lands so I ran out mine to 2.35 and the bergers are in far enough that they seem tight. So far I have settled on 25gr of 322 unless you suggest different powder. What happens when you change to longer jump or if I shorten the col even to 2.26. More neck tension more jump. This xr100 is single shot with solid bottom - no clip just lay it in tray. Everything I load is touching lands in all other rifles so this is new experience but have read a lot on it. I know - do it and see what happens right ?

 

[CatShooter]

I had TWO XR-100s, both in 204-R. I loved the rifle, but both shot 40gr bullets like crap. So I broke down and rebarreled the second one with a 26" long, truck axle, NTN 20 Tac... with a 10" twist, and I love it.

I think (and bullet companies have confirmed it) that the factory 12" twist is marginally slow for 40gr bullets.

 

[Schandler]

I may be expecting a little much from this rifle but I WANT a little clover leaf and I am going to try until I get it or I won't. Then I might think ppc barrel !! Cat did yours like the 39 or 32 gr or anything else ? for almost all groups they will fit in a 1" square some touching some not. I'm thinking from what you said I need to try different bullets lighter - any suggestions Thanks

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

I can't post

Sure you can, and you'll get more/better feedback if you do.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=498230.0

 

[Rick in Oregon]

garrettsdad...check your PM's.

 

[CatShooter]

I may be expecting a little much from this rifle but I WANT a little clover leaf and I am going to try until I get it or I won't. Then I might think ppc barrel !! Cat did yours like the 39 or 32 gr or anything else ? for almost all groups they will fit in a 1" square some touching some not. I'm thinking from what you said I need to try different bullets lighter - any suggestions Thanks

It likes the Sierra 32 and 39, which is fine for me , as they open much faster than the 40 V-Max. That is fine with me cuz this is a woodchuck rifle, and I like the bullet to stay inside.

I did my first tests last October, and have my final loads to test if the damn snow ever goes. 4 feet on the ground and it is snowing

 

[OB]

I have the same rifle, after trying both V-MAX bullets and bergers I settled finally on the sierra 39 grain as it far outperformed everything else. the best luck I had powder wise is 2015. I have three different 204 rifles. They all like a different bullet, but one thing I've found is they all have a long throat and they all like the jump. my XR100 with the 39 sierra touching the lands is 2.420 OAL but the best groups I get is loaded to 2.250 OAL.

 

[pacificman]

My .204 has a ton of jump also ...got frustrated till I tried the 39 Sierras and reloader 10x. I could not get the bullet very close to the lands but also found when pushed very close to max load the groups were very good at short and longer ranges. Just a bit more info to shake things up...LOL ;D

 

[Schandler]

the info just keeps getting better - i appreciate it fellas. i have 300 39gr sierras tumbling in water and moly right now - i have benchrest and 322 and 4895 but no rel 10 -- i will try to get my hands on some reloader 10 but it wont be this weekend - i have to work all weekend but will start on this come monday evening - i also received some new hornady brass - i will start out with my old brass thats been fired once maybe twice but as far as the new brass - should i do anything with it prior to using it or just load it and shoot ??? - i will save it until i get my load down and then maybe use it - any suggestions on the brass and also i am hearing go with the 2.26 coal ?? and see what happens with the 39's thanks fellas

 

[Schandler]

started to make a new topic but seems I am going in circles - after all the changes with suggestions ---- I have solved my problem with the tight bolt close with moving die closer to the shellholder and making a complete full length stroke and I believe that was my tight bolt because its gone. Now the only thing I have not changed in finding a load for this 204 xr100 is trying reloader 10 -- short of that I have tried several different powders and 2 different bullets and different coal's -- all shoot group almost the same with the exception of a 1 out of the group being a 1/2" to left or right - now having said that I put a wind flag up at 50 yards and its the wind I believe. Not having that much of a problem with the wind or I should say breeze with other larger calibers I didn't think it was that big of a deal but I want someone to tell me that the breeze can blow me off a 1/2" at 100 yards with 3600fps shot ?? if so then I just need to shoot more on calm day - if not then I am still looking for the problem and not the load. I feel kind of stupid asking that question but I have never shot benchrest except here at home and never considered the wind a problem for my other guns so if this is an exception then I am glad to know that's my problem. if so then I am going to go with the best out of the loads and be happy - maybe my expectations of this rifle shooting a one hole group is a little too much to expect and I can live with that too but im gonna get as close as I can !! so some of you experts speak up on the breeze problem and tell me if I just need more flags and watch closer or need to think something else. I could post a pic of all my groups but they all look the same - 3 shots in a dime and one to left or right - prior to today I did not use the flag and today same exact group from different new loads - I am eager to load a 100 and be done but before I do I would like to see comments - thanks so much for all the input

 

[Schandler]

let me post my best loads so far too - 322 25gr 205m 2.325 col and 39gr blitzkings and powder load is no where near full -- next is varget 28.5 40 gr bergers and 205m 2.275 col - both of these loads still have the one to left or right but they are tight groups - not one hole but tight - should I play with col more or just smile and be happy and just shoot on calm days ? by they way I have tried benchmark 4895 with good results too just 322 and varget were a tiny bit better - eager to hear on the wind with 20cal

 

[Schandler]

ok fellas - last two loads so somebody tell me which load to go with - for sure pushing bullet in to 2.26 closed my groups - thanks for the info on that mr. OB and thanks for all the other info as well

 

[mac86951]

I'd say you are close, but now you need more groups to determine.
I've seen 3MOA ammo produce a 1/2 group at 100y (but only one).

Good groups btw.

The determination from above would be consistency. Which of the loads is consistently better. (or if both then you've got a great accuracy node). Hard part from here is being honest, is it the load or the shooter who is inconsistent.

Edit: I noticed the difference in powders, do you have a chrono?

I'm sure you described it above, but what happens +/- 1% powder weight variation on each load? (IE do both groups open up the same, or is one better/worse?)

-Mac

 

[Schandler]

Mac I appreciate the suggestions and I will load more and shoot same loads over and over - I want to ask could a 5 or 10 breeze affect me at 100 yds ? And as far as shooter Well I took that into consideration and tried my best to not touch nothing but trigger - couldn't see my heart beat so I think I'm good on my part - breeze could be problem if you think it would effect. May be Saturday or later due to rain but I will post back . Rifle has t 36 weaver so I can see well

 

[Schandler]

i did want to ask about neck tension - i did notice some bullets push in a little harder than others and some just slide in - i am pretty sure that effects consistency and all my brass is hornady - i do have 50 brand new pieces and then this brass im using - never turned necks for 204 but i can -- what should i do with the new brass - should i do anything to it before shooting it like run through fl die or i will do whatever is suggested - thanks again

 

[mac86951]

Congratulations, it sounds as if you've caught the bug! Yes wind will affect your groups, use a ballistic calc to see how much. I'd guess a 5mph difference between shots might be up to 1"? Others will have better data here. Same as to neck tension. Best way to find out is testing.

The rest is practice and repetition! Have fun

-Mac

 

[Chappy]

ok fellas - last two loads so somebody tell me which load to go with - for sure pushing bullet in to 2.26 closed my groups - thanks for the info on that mr. OB and thanks for all the other info as well

Just by looking at those two targets, if it were me, I would pursue the H4895 load. Try that load out further and see if it strings flat like that again. If it does, tune the powder a little bit, then tune seating depth.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

What I can't understand is how can you expect to get consistent UNDER 1/2" groups with a FACTORY BARREL. Anything better you have to go Custom barrel and chamber. That barrel cost Remington less than $50 to make.

My thoughts exactly.