204 reloading ??? Pics added 27-10-10

[Drafty]

After a few nights of reloading i now have 10 different loads which i need to test, 5 with 2206H and 5 with 2208.

I got a small window of opertunity today so went out and fired 2 of the 2208 loads, results are below for those that are interested.

Both below groups are 5 shots at 100m





Looking forward to firing the next batch.

[Jack H]

Do you know what velocity you are getting??

[Drafty]

No unfortunately i dont have a cronagizmo machine to test velocities. Once i have gone through all my test loads i will sort out the best grouping loads and get access to one and work out full basistics. Will be intersting to see what they are pushing.

Depending on the weather but i may get a chance to fire some more loads this weekend.

[trevort]

too much verticle in those. keep working. 2206h will be your friend

[Drafty]

What do you think is the cause Trevort, thought it might have been user error.

[Brad Y]

Vertical is caused by a number of things. Do an internet search on it and you will get a list a mile long.

Like trev said, try 2206H- its the best performing powder for 99% of 204 shooters. Or you can try reloader 10x- that stuff is great in 20 cals period.

[Drafty]

Thanks Brad, i do have some loads ready for testing with the 2206H aswell.

[Drafty]

Finally fired all my 2208 loads, below are pics of the results.

As the groups tightened up with more powder I was thinking of trying two additional loads with 2208, looking at 28.8gr and 29.0gr.

The loads with 2206 will be tested this weekend, i will be up at Swan Hill for 4 days so will post those results next week.

[Buffy]

the 28.3gr load looks like the pick of the 2208 powder.... im sure 2206 will tighten them up more


cheers BB

[andrewk]

yeah agreed with all, 2206h and the 204 likes to be pushed hard. you'll be looking at a load around 28gr of 2206h with the 39gr SBK's but work your way up as per handloading principals.

[Drafty]

Just wondering if anyone is running more than 28.0gr of the 2206H powder in their 204's

[trevort]

I tried, It handled up to 28.9 but cases were fdd and the accuracy didnt improve. I was trying to get 40s to group in a factory barrel and gave up.

That 5th shot looks like a flier . I would try that load a few more times as there is next to no verticle in the other 4 shots. But like everyone else says, get out the 2206h!!!

[Drafty]

5th shot was driver error, new it when i pulled the trigger i guess thats why they say do 5, it allows for hopeless shooters like me.

[pavlovaw]

Hi there Drafty, hope you get as much enjoyment out of your 204 as I am getting. The load I have settled on is 29 grains of 2206H. I took a lot of caution developing this load (checking primers and any sticky extraction) and it does not seem to be developing excessive pressure as the cases have been reloaded over 10 times and the primer pockets are still firm. The groups did not start to tighten till the 28.6 grain mark which was about half inch (if I remember correctly). The node seemed to be at 29 grains with the 5 shot group being one ragged hole at 100 yards, and it repeats this all day as long as I do my part. The chronograph showed 2950 fps which has been confirmed with 2 other chronographs. But I must stress to be careful when exceeding maximum recommended charges as I have done here and if you must, increase loads by only .2 of a grain at a time as a little can make a big difference in this small case.

[andrewk]

edit? 2950fps