204 OCW test

[groundhogsniper]

Well I took advantage of yesterday's unseasonably warm weather, it was 75 here in western PA! I made up some loads for my 204 using H4895 and 39 gr SBK's. Needless to say I am very please with my results. I am thinking of using 26.1 gr as my load, not only did it shoot very well but 26.0 and 26.2 have almost identical POI's. I also noticed that there really isn't much POI change from my lowest load to my highest. If you guys have any opinions on what you would pick for your OCW load feel free to chime in, I'm open to suggestions. I am planning on loading 1 round of 26, 26.1, and 26.2 and shooting at my max range I plan to shoot groundhogs at which will probably be 400 yards (had a 370 yard kill last year with 32 gr vmax factory ammo). I expect MOA results with those three shots. Here are a few pics of my setup and targets:

Savage Model 12 FCV
Mueller Eraticator 8.5-25x50


Top left target was my sighters with 24.1, 24.6, and 25.1 gr of H4895. I also used these to look for pressure signs.


Top left I used 4 shots of 32 gr Hornady factory ammo to foul the barrel.

[cowtownup]

Wow, the POI did remain constant over a pretty wide range of charge weights.. I'd say you got a pretty good shooter on your hands...

[jpx2rk]

Nice groups. I would test 'em all again just to be sure, but that's me.

How do you like the scope you have mounted?

[groundhogsniper]

Nice groups. I would test 'em all again just to be sure, but that's me.

How do you like the scope you have mounted?

So far so good on the scope. I just got the gun last August and between August and October I killed probably 20-25 groundhogs with it. It seems to track well and hasn't lost its zero. The one thing I will say is at 25x eye positioning is kind of picky but that wouldn't deter me from buying another. I say it's well worth the money.
I may try to test the loads again to be sure.

[jpx2rk]

Thanks for the info on the scope. I'm looking for something with higher magnification for my FV12's in 204 & 223 w/o breaking the bank.

I know what you mean about eye positioning at high mag, I've got a Anschutz MPR w/ a 36x on it, and it takes some getting use to but it does come fairly easy with use.

[groundhogsniper]

Yeah like I said, the eye relief thing would definitely not deter me from buying a second or third.