204 Ruger WAY over max loads. Help/advice

D

DMS1

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
130   0   0
Location
Southern Ontario
I have a 204 lvsf that I have tried varget, n140, rl10x, and imr4895. Varget seemed the most promising, and at lower velocities I found it grouped better close to the lands, but the best I can feed reliably is about 2.320" col. I've hit a few nodes along the way that were decent, but in .2 increments today, got up to 30.4gr of varget (book max 28gr) which filled the case to the mouth, then compressed the load. Zero signs of pressure, and close to 3900 fps. Primers looked the same as light loads, no bolt stiffness, rub marks on the base from pushing back against the bolt face. I thought my balance beam was off maybe but several bullets weighed exactly what they should. If I am loading a much longer col than book, is my pressure still over max? I'm still away from the lands, so no pressure spike there. I pretty much ran out of varget anyway, and may pursue the n140 a little more. The last accurate node was 29.6 varget, about .5" horizontal string. I haven't seen anything shoot bullet holes yet. FYI was a bit of mirage today (vx-6 3-18 at 18x), all shots off bipod/rear bag prone. 80s and sunny.
 
Last edited:
I do some loads with the 223 I have that are over listed but are loaded way over what the books say. The books say average 2.250" and Some of my loads are 2.395" Not a lick of pressure signs in mine. Loading long will cause it to be less pressure.
 
I have seen rifles that won't tolerate more than a starting load and some that will accept over max loads, many variables come into play when reloading. I hardly ever pay much attention to published col lenghts and load for my rifles throat and mag lenght. My 204 shoots very nicely with H322 and 32gr sbk's, 4895 and 10x shoot as good but i have a large supply of H322 so use it. I'm at max published loads with no pressure signs, haven't tried going higher. Haven't tried N140 or varget yet so can't comment on those for accuracy.
 
40 gr bullet?

Did you use a Chronograph or was "almost 3900 fps" an estimate? If it is, it's probably a decent estimate IMO.

That little longer OAL doesn't lower pressure very much, and you're running well over 55K psi. In any event besides developing some accurate loads, what you've shown is that you can't rely on "pressure signs" to determine pressure.
 
DMS1 said:
Chrono showed 3850-3875 on 5 shots. Barrel was very dirty, I doubt all of that varget was burning in 22"
Click to expand...

All the powder is burnt when the pressure reaches its max, which is typically with the first 6" of bullet travel. Your powder is simply not burning cleanly.
 
The velocity does not sound unreasonable for a 39gr bullet. Quite likely your chamber is on the larger side, resulting in less pressure, and less velocity than expected.
 
Tried it again today with n140, 4 5 shot groups at 100. Still no signs of pressure. The 29.5gr was 3936-3937 less than 1 fps spread over 5 shots. Too bad the group sucked.

28 looked pretty good, the hole to the left was the fouling shot w clean barrel, other 4 are ~.300"

B3ACB223-908F-42C8-A55C-B94CDC906DCC.jpg
 
Last edited:
Max for a 40 grain bullet with Varget is 28.1. Going 2 + grains over max, for any bullet, is unsafe. Regardless of pressure signs.
29.5gr of N140 is also over max of 28.1 for a 40 grain bullet.
Load data in manuals is not developed by monkeys or lawyers.
 
3900+fps. out of a 22"barrel with 39 sbk's is moving right along,i'd say.Speed and accuracy don't always go hand in hand.I tend to load for accuracy with these smaller varmint calibers,hunting calibers go a little faster for the extra down range energy.
Savage model 12,factory 26" heavy barrel,bedded in a Choate Varmint stock,39 sbk.,Win. brass, 26.6 grns.IMR8208xbr.2.301col @3760fps. gets me ragged hole groups @ 100yds.The gophers/badgers can't tell the difference between 3900 and 3760,easier on the brass and barrel also.Tried Varget with 32 and 40 Vmax.,they shot o.k. had the 32's moving right along also,but settled on the 39sbk, XBR load in the end.YMMV
 
Just a quick update, I have settled on Varget, at max book load 28gr. I spent a lot of time on COL, and 2.320" is the most accurate and still feeds. I came out a lot farther (2.360), still not touching the lands, but groups opened up. Running right at 3700 on the chrono, so I can order my CDS dial now for the 39gr blitzkings (also good speed with 22" LVSF barrel). I consider this pretty good for a factory barrel/chamber (5 shots/100yd). The leupold firedot reticle is .6 moa, the target shown below seems very good for shooting groups, as I can really center in the diamond.

 
Last edited:
DMS1 said:
So what are the flames that come out of a barrel when you shoot in the dark? Is that not powder still burning? My 18" barrel 45-70 sure lights up the bush!
Click to expand...

Well where do you think all the burnt up powder GAS that is created is going to go once the bullet leaves the barrel ? Yup the Mag Na Ported style Marlin 1895g 's really do light up the night and more so with some powders then others for sure too !:D RJ
 
Last edited:
Alpheus said:
All the powder is burnt when the pressure reaches its max, which is typically with the first 6" of bullet travel. Your powder is simply not burning cleanly.
Click to expand...

Sorry very wrong there....that just means that the powder has produced a maximum ratio of gas to available space, as the bullet moves the powder continues to burn but at a point the pressure starts dropping.

Check out quickload, many loads can end up not burning all the powder depending on the powder, cartridge, bullet, gun, and primer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom