Tried a couple of different powders tyring to develope a load for my sons Remington 700 in 204. IMR 7828 seemed to do best for velocity using Hornady 40 gr V-max bullets. We loaded 3 rounds each with 29, 28, and 27 grs of powder.
29 gr 2 in group
28 gr .56 in group
27 gr 1.5 in group
It looked like a no brainer that 28 gr was the way to go so we went back in the shop and loaded 10 more with 28 gr, but we had to open another box of bullets. His 1st group was 2.5 in so I shot thinking it was him. I shot about 2.75 and his last was about 2.5. I weighted the bullets in the new box and they were on the money +/- .1
Nothing changed but the bullets
Any thoughts?

7828's a very slow powder for the .204. Have you tried RL10X, Benchmark, H4895? You might check with the .204 Ruger site: http://www.rugerhunting.com/index.htm

There's load data there, as well as an outstanding forum. I'd guess that the two best overall powders, in my view and many others on that forum are H4895 or the Reloader 10X. Other good powders for the .204 are BLC(2) and W748. Good luck. George

did you reload the cases that you fireformed? fl or neck size? did you change the oal?
were the cases new? change in the bullet did the point of impact change from the first load?
new box of bullets may have a diffrent sectional density? diffrent lot?
what distance are you shooting?
Did the conditions change? wind?
answer to these questions, may be able to give a better reply.

I have two Varmint CZ Kevlar, Browning Abolt, Kimber Pro Varmint in the 204, all with 1 in 12 twist. One CZ and Kimber shoot the 40 grain Noslers fine. The Browning and the other CZ hate the 40 grain Nosler's. They all shoot 39 grain Sierra's, 35 grain Berger's and 33 grain Calhoun's better than I can shoot. Some gun just will not shoot 40 grain Nosler's.

I have been using 27.1 grains H4895 with the 40 V-max in the 204, shooting them out of T/C Encore with 28" Prohunter barrel. I shoot this load under .5 MOA.

VV 133, 135, 140, 540, H4895, 748, benchmark, RL10, H335 lots of powders, nothing nearly that slow.

I'm sorry. I used my memory when posting this instead of my notes. The powder I'm using is IMR4895
The cases were FL resized. they have been fired once. They were trimed to length. The conditions stayed the same. OAL was the same.

quote:

Originally posted by crashcarruthers:
I have two Varmint CZ Kevlar, Browning Abolt, Kimber Pro Varmint in the 204, all with 1 in 12 twist. One CZ and Kimber shoot the 40 grain Noslers fine. The Browning and the other CZ hate the 40 grain Nosler's. They all shoot 39 grain Sierra's, 35 grain Berger's and 33 grain Calhoun's better than I can shoot. Some gun just will not shoot 40 grain Nosler's.

Wrightboy,
I don't have any of the 204s that he has but I have a Savage 204 and load for another. I use IMR4895 and did not have any luck getting the 40 gr. Nosler to shoot.

39 Sierras and 40 gr. Bergers shoot incredibly well in both, with a slight edge going to the Bergers.

Jim