Frustrating 204

[larry]

G'Day. I'm new to this web site and not what you would call a computer expert; so you may have to put up with non computer talk.
Recently purchased a Tikka in 204 and i'm a little bit disappointed in it's performance.
My old Ruger 22-250 shot better groups than this 204.
Looking for advice from other users of this calibre.
Tried primers from Remington, CCI, Benchrest, and Magnum primers, and using projectiles from Nosler 40 Grainers, and Hornady 40 Grainers.
Tried loads using 2208 and 748 powders, starting from 26 grains and increasing by 1/2 grain to max of 29.5 grains as recomended by reloading bible.
Best group i can achieve at 100m is approx 40mm.
For a varmint rifle, i would have expected to get around 25mm group or better, to be confident in using this package out to 2 and 300m.
Good quality scope in Burris 9x40 variable and all screws have been double checked.
The groups were getting smaller as i got closer to the recomended max load.
Can i go over the 29.5 grains of powder?
Anyone with any advice would be much appreciated.

[MISSED]

After reading numerous posts over the last couple of years I think you may have to try Sierra39 grn BK`s.

[dangaff]

Heaps of 204 owners on this forum do seem to like the Sierra 39 grn BK`s.

[louie the fly]

Hey mate,
I have a tikka super varmint in 204, it shoots 0.5" 5 shot groups with my pet load 28.5gr 2206H, 39gr SBK, Federal gold match primers, remmy cases.
I had similar problems with the 40gr factory ammo. the 1:12 twist in sum instances cannot stabilize the 40gr bullets.
So grab so 39SBK and get into it mate.

cheers.

[1kshot]

Gday Larry try starting off with 2206h or BM2 mine hates noslers but likes both 39BK and 40Vmax with 2206h I opted for the vmax because they gave me slightly tighter groups, it also took some bore paste and a 100 rounds to settle the barrel down on my rem, also I've noticed they are very fussy in the wind.

All the best
John

[trevort]

rem 7 1/2 primers and 2206h. your barrel twist will not stabilize 40 gn pills, switch to the 39 bk and you will love your gun again

[kjd]

If the above fails take it back to the gunshop as it might have a crappy chamber or a damaged crown.

[Con]

If the above fails take it back to the gunshop as it might have a crappy chamber or a damaged crown.

Always give it a run with factory ammunition to get a baseline. If it wont shoot with factory loads ... maybe consider taking up Beretta Australia on their warranty and 5 shot MOA guarantee. You'd have checked mounts, scopes, action screws etc... all before going to this extreme. Just remember that reloading voids your warranty.

Failing that ... seems the advice received has a common factor ... Sierra 39gr BK.
Cheers...
Con

[trevort]

its not a matter of trying the BKS, you've got no choice, your twist rate just wont stabilise those 40s. Simple.

There is the chance you have a dodgy rifle but use the right projies and powder first! This has been done to death all over the internet ever since the calibre was launched. The 1 in 12 twist is marginal for 40 gn pills, some factory rifle seem to be truly 1 in 12 and they shoot them, some are like 1 in 12.something and they just wont.

They all shoot the 39bks which are shorter at the ogive. 2208 is too slow a powder for the 204.

[ogre6br]

federal has a 204 factory that has the 39 BK as it's projectile

grab a box or 2 of that and see how it shoots

will let you know if yours likes 39 bks or not and keeps your warrantee intact

P

[GJS]

I'd keep away from the 748, it's way to finiky in the 204. its ment to give the best speed but not safe on a hot day if loaded to the max.
Glenn

[Aussie steve]

thats strange, I have never had any drama with win 748 in my .204 ruger, it gives very good accuracy and is really really fast, the fastest with all bullet weights, I can do near 4200 fps with 32's, and close on 4000 fps with 39/40's.

Steve

[wadcutter]

Mate, I have two of those Burris 3-9x40 scopes. Both a full of parallax error. In the order of 1 to 2 MOA depending on the distance. Could easy be part of the problem.

I would get hold of another scope and try your rifle then.

[GJS]

thats strange, I have never had any drama with win 748 in my .204 ruger, it gives very good accuracy and is really really fast, the fastest with all bullet weights, I can do near 4200 fps with 32's, and close on 4000 fps with 39/40's.

Steve

Yeah, some rifles behave differently my old.222 loved 748 I used a compresed load and 50gr'ers for many years. The .204 poped two primers in virgin brass 1gn below max load of 748 one day, after 12 rounds the day before no problem so " I'm once bitter twice shy".
28gn bm2 in my barrel gives me 4250 with the 30/32gn pills.

Glenn

[Aussie steve]

Gee Glenn, I was never able to get those velocities from my rifle with its 26" barrel with any powder, and I gave up using BM2 as it wasnt giving enough velocity and I was at max pressure. Just goes to show you have to be very careful when using other peoples load data

Steve