bigfellascott wrote:The Rem 7.5's are a great primer for the 204, I'm over max loads with all my loads in the 204 and no signs of pressure at all, primers are fine, bolt lift is fine, cases are fine etc - if you can't get the 40's shooting any good get some 39gn SBK's I'd be very surprised if they don't shoot well in it (seems to be the bullet of choice for a lot of 204 owners.
Cooper wrote:That must be old? I thought all the Howa .223 were 1:9 in now not 1:12.
I have the mini action which I was told was 1:9. As per pic. Guess I need to measure twist to confirm!
Apollo wrote:I think "Cooper" had better measure the Twist Rate.
Any of the information is a bit ambiguous listing the twist rates. The mention of 1:9 Twist at the end of the specifications in brackets may or may not only refer to the last calibre mentioned, being the .223R. Perhaps that is the only 1:9 twist. Who knows...?? I don't own one, sorry. I have only played with one Howa 1500 and that was a .223R with a measured 1:9 Twist Varmint Barrel. It was pretty accurate once a decent load was found for two weights of bullets to be used.
The problems "Cooper" is having would make more sense if his was in fact a 1:12 Twist. Barrel too short to enable a high enough velocity to get the 40gr bullets to work reasonably with a powder available to the reloader bearing in mind that Factory Ammo is usually pretty hot and uses an unknown powder or perhaps a blended powder not available to the public.
Wish the rifle was a bit closer to me, sounds like an interesting project to go through any number of fast burn powders I have on the shelf.
Cooper wrote:Well I'm shooting half inch groups with both 8208 and 2206h. I actually had reduce the load with 8208. Now running 27.3gr which is below the staring load in the ADI manual. I've ordered 1000 32gr Z max and need to get some new Norma or Noslar brass as I've already had a few neck splits with the Hornady brass.
happyhunter wrote:I'm running Remington brass and Remington primers and 29.2 grains AR2206H for the 32 Zmax. It likes the compressed load.
bigfellascott wrote:Not sure it's a good idea to use loads less than the starting load recommended, just suss it out a little bit to make sure it's safe to do so (I'm sure there was a reason not too but can't recall what it was now) maybe send a email to ADI and see what they say.
Cooper wrote:bigfellascott wrote:Not sure it's a good idea to use loads less than the starting load recommended, just suss it out a little bit to make sure it's safe to do so (I'm sure there was a reason not too but can't recall what it was now) maybe send a email to ADI and see what they say.
Yeah I'm only 0.2gr under the suggested starting load. So I wouldn't exactly call it reduced load. If think it's not wise to start below the starting load as it can actually cause higher pressure. Which is kinder the opposite to what you would think. Less powder less bang. Think it is more of an issue when reduced charges of slower burning powders are used.
Any I've bought some AR2219 to try. It has a faster burn rate compared to 2206H and benchmark 8208. I've also bought 1000 32 Zmax and my Boyds thumb hole stock has come in. I'll post some picks when I get it all together.
Apollo wrote:I do think you will have much better accuracy results if you increase your loads quite a bit towards maximum. In most calibres/catridges there are accuracy nodes as the barrel harmonics even out to the ideal release point for the bullet. Some maybe just one, some two and often there can be three accuracy nodes as the velocity increases. Hence load development in steps of ever increasing powder loads. One of those loads is far more consistent than the others and that is what most settle for. The .204R likes to push bullets fast so in my view you should be using much hotter loads than you are playing with...just my view over many experiments with many calibres.
Apollo wrote:Enjoy your experiment but don't reduce loads too far.
Cooper wrote:I tried some 40gr Berger projectiles in my 204. The Berger reloading I have is quite conservative with loads. Max is 26.3gr with 8208 benchmark. I started at 25gr 8208. The manual stats the 1-12 twist is ok for the 40gr projectiles. However the Berger box says the optimum twist is 1-10.
The Berger 40 grain weren't as bad as the 40gr Vmax but aren't fully stabilising as the holes in target are a bit off. I'll try pushing then a bit faster and see what happens. Might also try the 39gr Sierras. Otherwise it is just the 32 Zmax for my 204
bigfellascott wrote:Yeah the 32s or 39s generally shoot well so would be a good option I think the 30gn Bergerac shoot well too or it might be 35gn Bergerac anyway suss them out too.