204 SD

[shoot 51]

I’m an experienced loader by many years and calibers. I have no problem putting together components to produce SDs under 10 in a lot of calibers but the 204 is a pain for me. Granted, the 204 is a great 500 and under Varmint gun and it won’t matter about a high SD. It just bugs me that I can’t get it down below 25. I’ve loaded this little guy since it was born with every component almost. My latest go has been once fired Norma brass, 39gr SMKs, H4895 and Cci450s. All cases tested weighed and trimmed exact. Tension.001

 

[nn8734]

How far do you typically shoot it and how does it perform at that distance?

 

[RegionRat]

If I were to make a suggestion for looking at a different powder to risk seeing what happens, it would be RE-10x.
I have had good SD values in more than one 204R barrels and even with AR platforms when using it.
I would also ask if you tried a tighter neck tension?

 

[shoot 51]

If I were to make a suggestion for looking at a different powder to risk seeing what happens, it would be RE-10x.
I have had good SD values in more than one 204R barrels and even with AR platforms when using it.
I would also ask if you tried a tighter neck tension?

I have not tighten the neck. Powder being hard to find kind of crimps experimenting.

What SD do you get with more than 5 rds?

 

[shoot 51]

How far do you typically shoot it and how does it perform at that distance?

Like I said, imho, the 204 is a 500 yd gun. I can blow up a squirrel at 400 yds consistently on a calm day. It’s a ocd thing I think for me

 

[nn8734]

Like I said, imho, the 204 is a 500 yd gun. I can blow up a squirrel at 400 yds consistently on a calm day.

Then i wouldn’t worry about it as its costing you time and energy. But more consistent neck inner diameter usually helps.

Do you expander mandrel and bushing die or just a standard f/l sizing die?

 

[RegionRat]

I have not tighten the neck. Powder being hard to find kind of crimps experimenting.

What SD do you get with more than 5 rds?

I don't even bother with 5 round SD stats, more like 20 - 30.
With the last season's 204R WOA upper, I have several strings with SD from 7 - 10 fps for 20 shots with Sierra 39 and Hornady 40 VMax, using Norma brass, with RE-10x, and using KVB (Russian Murom) primers.

That said, I still ended up using CFE223 instead since those loads could be mass produced using a thrower, and the SD was still under 15 with groups at 0.5 MOA.

 

[st1650]

You could try a different powder like XBR?

That being said I’m not sure it would even make that much of a difference at 500 yards. You’re looking at 0.1 mil per 50 FPS of vertical at 500 yards.

 

[shoot 51]

Then i wouldn’t worry about it as its costing you time and energy. But more consistent neck inner diameter usually helps.

Do you expander mandrel and bushing die or just a standard f/l sizing die?

I’m using a regular die with the expander removed. Using mandrel as a separate step. Can’t find a good type s die but I guess I don’t really need it. I was ready to turn the Norma’s before I got them but have found great consistent wall thickness.