Ohlsen, which .204s do you have? I have a M77 Compact and that barrel gets HOT quickly, although it cools quickly also. It has about 500 rounds through it, about spilt equally between the range and Dog Town. The .204 is a heck of a round, just can't wait much longer for new brass! BTW I found the 27gr and 29 gr of IMR 4895 work very well in my rifle. Does anyone else have experience in the .204 with IMR 4895???

Thanks for your help.

half the recoil of a 22-250 to give you an idea.

Is the load you listed with the 40 gr. V-Max? I assume so, since the velocity you list sounds just a tad faster than my 28.2 loads with the 40 gr. V-Max and H4895.

are visible in the photos below. First photo shows loads of H4895 with the 35 gr. Berger FB HP:



Next are some targets with two loads of H4895 with the 32 gr. Hornady V-Max and two loads of H4895 with the 40 gr. V-Max. About two weeks after I shot these groups, I took another trip to the range and tested the 29.3 gr. of H4895 and the 32 gr. V-Max just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. I got a 3-shot group that measured 0.225" with that load. That will be my "keeper" load for my Savage 12VLP.

28.3 grains of H4895, Federal 205Match primer, COL 2.385, velocity 4089fps, .3's from a Savage VLP and kills the heck out of Varmints!!!! GHD

GHD, negligable barrel heat?? They heat up. I've got two .204's and both barrels get hot right quick.