i posted this on another forum but i am curious to see what you guys think as well.

ok guys...

i have a load i worked up for my Contender .204 barrel. It is a 32-grain Sierra Blitzking and 27 grains of varget. i shot just one group with it but got a .330" group.

thats obviously acceptible. however, the velocity may not be. it is right around 3500 fps.

that's nowhere near "real" .204 levels with a 32-grain bullet. is the advantage of the .204 that extra 500 fps, or should i leave it alone since it likes the load so much?

i guess what i am asking is what you guys would do. do i have basically a .223 now??

-Matt

assuming no excess pressure signs, I'd work up a 1/2 grain at a time shooting groups.....who knows...the groups might even get better.

I wouldn't be happy with 32 grains at 3,500'/sec.

i tried 28 grains of varget and was still under an inch but more like in the .700" range.

varget apparently is plenty accurate but just not the best for such a small case...28 grains is about all i can squeeze in and that only makes about 3700 fps.

-Matt

You have to remember that you are not shooting a 26" rifle barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by mjbgalt:

i have a load i worked up for my Contender .204 barrel. It is a 32-grain Sierra Blitzking and 27 grains of varget. i shot just one group with it but got a .330" group.

thats obviously acceptible. however, the velocity may not be. it is right around 3500 fps.-Matt

If that load will perform on game as you want it to,at the distance you are comfortable with, than you have a winner that will not burn out your barrel as fast as a hotter load. Can't get any better than that. roger

quote:

Originally posted by mjbgalt:
..i shot just one group with it but got a .330" group.

Hey Matt, That "one group" really doesn't mean a whole lot, unless it contains a whole bunch of shots.

Maybe it will consistently repeat and maybe not. But, it would be worth keeping that Target in a 3-ring binder with all the specific Load info so you can replicate it later on if nothing else works.

quote:

... it is right around 3500 fps. that's nowhere near "real" .204 levels with a 32-grain bullet. ...what you guys would do. ..

After recording that initial Load, I'd use the never improved upon Creighton Audette Load Development Method to develop the Load from below. And of course watch for all the normal Pressure Indicators as development progressed.
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You might want to do a "Find" on this Board as well as the Small Caliber Board to see some Loads that other folks have found that work well for them. But, you still need to work-up to them and not just duplicate them.

Always nice to have a "mild" Load as an option which is accurate. But, I tend to Hunt with SAFE MAX Loads and plink with the milder Loads.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Always nice to have a "mild" Load as an option which is accurate. But, I tend to Hunt with SAFE MAX Loads and plink with the milder Loads.

HC! Are you saying that the .204 isn't just a plinker??? roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
...HC! Are you saying that the .204 isn't just a plinker??? roger

Hey Roger, There seems to be some guys on the Small Caliber Board who think rather highly of it. I've not shot one, so I'll have to reserve judgment.

If you have a bit of "time" , how about Reviewing this Thread and let me know what your impression is?
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I drop enough 0.224" Bullets on the floor without needing to go to a smaller diameter. Old hands and smaller bullets seem to repell each other.