My first sloppy hole!!
 

Been breaking in the new Savage 12 in 204 and have had plenty of sub MOA 100 groups, but the goal has been to make clover leafs. Yesterday I shot this group with 21.8 grains of IMR 4198 and a 39 grain SBK. Center to center was .18! This must be a great bullet for this gun because one other thing happened that I have never had happen. I loaded the full range from 20.0 to 22.0 per the book, and all the groups shot less then 1.25 and several had bullets touching. Most of the time loading full range for me I have some groups that are close and then one end or the other is hand size. This was only a three shot group and now I will go back and try to repeat and work on a five shot group. Just wanted to show my first one. Thanks to all who have helped with this reloading adventure.

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Did you ever try BL-C2?

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Not yet, but it is on the list. This 4198 did great for the 39 BK, but will not push the 32's that well. The BLC 2 is next on the list along with some Benchmark maybe, but at least the BLC 2 for sure since I would like to also have a 32 grain load. Like you and alot of data on the net there is data to show people like it. Problem is my wife has noticed that the gun store always cost around twenty bucks, twenty bucks seems to be the convenient price for alot of gun stuff! So maybe next pay day BLC 2 will be next. Thanks again for the help!

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

I have had trouble with the 40gr bullets. Horrible groups. So maybe I should try the 4198[:-]

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Alot of guys say the same about the 40 grain bullets in these guns. I had bought alot of different bullets when trying to get my H&R to shoot good. I had some of the 39 BK and 40 Bergers left. The 40 Bergers did horrible, some never made it on the paper! Next was the 39 BK, was tired of looking at them in the box and was glad I did. Still amazed at how one bullet shoots this good and another will not. Next on the list is the 32 Vmax and also the 30Bergers along with some BLC 2 if they do not like the 4198. Vmax will be first since the local shop has them, bergers will be mail order. Just happy Iwas able to do it. Reloadingcan be a discuraging thing when you do not have the right combo.

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Having lots of fun with this gun! Went out tonight and tried some 32 grain Noslers with that did not do to well, had one group that did .75 group. Then I shot some 30 grain bergers with 23.5 grains of 4198 and was as happy as a kid at christmas. This is just a three shot group, I like it to much to try a five! Will have to play with five shot groups soon. Enjoy the pic!

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

That is some good stuff right there. I've only had one group like that in my life. Mine was a 5 shot group in .308 Win.

Tom

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Now that's what reloading is all about....Congrats!! You are right about the 5-shot groups. They will usually give a better idea of a load's potential. Temperature and humidity changes are important factors to consider too. Often a load that shoots well in 60 deg. weather will cause problems at 80 deg., and vice-versa.
You are probably going to want to try those tight groups at longer yardages to see how they perform "out there". Just some things to consider... But, it sure puts a smile on your face to know you've got something good going, doesn't it??
Keep on pluggin'..........

RE: My first sloppy hole!!
 

Nice shooting Hotburn. Isn't it a shame how horribly those Savage rifles shoot out of the box? I think you're going to have to get a trigger job and a bedding job on that rifle so you can tighten up those groups.....