Need Info for 55 gr. berger bullet in .204

polnurs · March 25, 2010, 05:54 PM

I've just started reloading for my Rem. model 7 in .204 Ruger. I want to try a heavier bullet, the berger 55 gr. HPBT. Most of the data I have found does not address the 55 grainers. just the 50's. what's a good starting load. I have H335, IMR 4198 and 30-31. Will my model 7 twist rate stabilize the longer heavier bullet. thanks for any help.

HAMMER1DOWN · March 25, 2010, 05:57 PM

what is the twist in your rifle??

polnurs · March 25, 2010, 06:16 PM

don't really know, figure all model 7's are the same. do u know a web site that might tell me? it's a 20" barrel.

HAMMER1DOWN · March 25, 2010, 09:26 PM

Your rifle has a 1:12 twist that in my mind should stabalize the 55 grain bullet it will be really long for a .20 cal bullet though, the only thing I can say is load a couple up and shoot them to see if they tumble ( not likely) or if they aren't stabilizing or not but they should stabilize.

polnurs · March 25, 2010, 10:05 PM

Thanks, guess what I need most is a starting load for the powders I listed. I thought maybe 21 gr. of H335 to start. I extrapolated that from other bullet weights and their starting weights.

HAMMER1DOWN · March 25, 2010, 11:30 PM

start 10% less than the max load and work your load from there, if you go onto the powder you are usings website most of the time they will have a load to get you started.

kraigwy · March 26, 2010, 10:49 AM

Berger is suppose to come out with a reloading manual for their bullets this summer.

In the mean time, you can e-mail berger and they will send you the reloading info for any of their bullets.

They are pretty quick in getting back to you also.

uncyboo · March 26, 2010, 10:58 AM

If your twist is 1 in 12, as most factory barrels are, you may or may not have luck with the 55's. Some rifles are doing well with 32's and 40's, and some can't shoot the 40's at all, getting keyholes. Since Berger has introduced the 55's, some shooters are rebarrelling to 1 in 10 1/2 or 11 to use the Bergers. It doesn't take much adjustment on these tiny things. Velocity is key too when you are on the cusp of twist rate/stabilization. If you try the 55's, push them as fast as pressure and accuracy allows.

polnurs · March 26, 2010, 07:25 PM

Thanks Kraigwy, that's the best suggestion yet. I will e mail berger. thanks for your service.

March 25, 2010, 05:54 PM	#1
polnurs Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 10	Need Info for 55 gr. berger bullet in .204 I've just started reloading for my Rem. model 7 in .204 Ruger. I want to try a heavier bullet, the berger 55 gr. HPBT. Most of the data I have found does not address the 55 grainers. just the 50's. what's a good starting load. I have H335, IMR 4198 and 30-31. Will my model 7 twist rate stabilize the longer heavier bullet. thanks for any help.

March 25, 2010, 05:57 PM	#2
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	what is the twist in your rifle??

March 25, 2010, 06:16 PM	#3
polnurs Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 10	don't really know, figure all model 7's are the same. do u know a web site that might tell me? it's a 20" barrel.

March 25, 2010, 09:26 PM	#4
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	Your rifle has a 1:12 twist that in my mind should stabalize the 55 grain bullet it will be really long for a .20 cal bullet though, the only thing I can say is load a couple up and shoot them to see if they tumble ( not likely) or if they aren't stabilizing or not but they should stabilize.

March 25, 2010, 10:05 PM	#5
polnurs Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 10	Thanks, guess what I need most is a starting load for the powders I listed. I thought maybe 21 gr. of H335 to start. I extrapolated that from other bullet weights and their starting weights.

March 25, 2010, 11:30 PM	#6
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	start 10% less than the max load and work your load from there, if you go onto the powder you are usings website most of the time they will have a load to get you started.

March 26, 2010, 10:49 AM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	Berger is suppose to come out with a reloading manual for their bullets this summer. In the mean time, you can e-mail berger and they will send you the reloading info for any of their bullets. They are pretty quick in getting back to you also.

March 26, 2010, 10:58 AM	#8
uncyboo Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: Shelby, MT Posts: 1,013	If your twist is 1 in 12, as most factory barrels are, you may or may not have luck with the 55's. Some rifles are doing well with 32's and 40's, and some can't shoot the 40's at all, getting keyholes. Since Berger has introduced the 55's, some shooters are rebarrelling to 1 in 10 1/2 or 11 to use the Bergers. It doesn't take much adjustment on these tiny things. Velocity is key too when you are on the cusp of twist rate/stabilization. If you try the 55's, push them as fast as pressure and accuracy allows.

March 26, 2010, 07:25 PM	#9
polnurs Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 10	Thanks Kraigwy, that's the best suggestion yet. I will e mail berger. thanks for your service.