Savage VLP mod 12 204R

Hi I recently purchased a Savage in 204 Ruger 1-12 twist. Its a single shot and is about 10 years old. I want to use it mainly for 39 & 40 gr. bullets, but I find that neither shoot well, the groups are erratic at best. With 40 gr. VMAX, using both 8208 and 10x powders. I may get 2 together and then 2, 4 or 5 inches to the left. With the 39 gr. Sierras I had one that appears to be key holing and others may not be hitting the paper at all. With lighter bullets it is much better. I took it to a rifle builder/gunsmith he said the rifling and crown look good. Then added that he is seeing more 204's with 1-12 twist coming in with problems stabilizing the heavy bullets. Is anyone else seeing this problem?

Hmmm I can't say that it was an issue for me when I had my 2 different model 12 204 barrels. Mine seemed to prefer Varget and RL15 with the 40gr V-Maxes.

Criterion went to a 11 twist for this very reason. That twist has been shooting very well for 20 caliber.

Jim Briggs
NSS

I've had a couple of 12 twist 204's and have not had any luck with the heavier bullets, but the 32's shoot really good, you might try the 35 grn Bergers, I've heard they work well.

I had those same thing happen to me when my barrel was shot out. The crown was great but the throat {leade} was shot out. The 32 grain bullets then shot good but not great. My barrel was shot out from 5 years of shooting Prairie Dogs.

Ordered a CBI 1-11 twist barrel from Northlander to replace the factory barrel. This was a 100% improvement from what I had. Not only does it shoot all 39-40gr bullets it does it very accurately. 500 yard shots on Pd's if I got the wind right. This last week I shot a 4 3/16" 5 shot group at 600 yards practicing for a 600 yd. Bench rest match . The 1-11 twist and quality barrel is the reason it shoots so well. I shoot the 40gr v-max and IMR8208XBR powder with Federal match primers at 3750 fps. The 39 Sierra match King was the only accurate bullet from my 1-12 twist factory barrel. That would not shoot as accurate at long range as the 1-11 twist I have now. I gained at least 100 yds. farther hits on PD's.
Grayfox

A 12 twist is usually too slow for 40 grain bullets in a 204 but the 39 grain BKs often shoot well. The 32 grain BKs should work very well in that rifle. I have a Rem 700 with a Shilen 9 twist in 204. It's a great caliber. You are going to have some fun when you get your loads dialed in.

Hi, new to the forum but love the Savage rifles and have model 12 bench rest in 204 Ruger that I bought used a few years ago. 12 twist and as all of you say it does not like anything heavier than 40 gr bullets. Mine likes 39bks and berger 40s but will be trying lighter bullets in the future.

hey hoghunter,,,, go to 204ruger.com , its a free forum , a wealth of great members , info,,,,, you will love it , I read it every week