Remington 700 SPS Varmit throwing Keyholes.....

[jpharcher]

I just got a NIB Remington 700 SPS in 204 Ruger, 26" heavy barrel, 1 in 12 twist. I topped it with a Nikon Monarch 4x16x42, bought 140 rounds of Hornady 40 grain Superperformance Varmit took it out to sight it in yesterday and was the most frustrated I have ever been trying to get it sighted in.
I put 40 rounds thru it (most from 50 yards), most holes in target were keyholes and could not get anything to group off of bipods and table.
I have now heard that 40 grains are to heavy for a 1 in 12 twist and should go to the 32 grain rounds?
Any experienced guys have any thoughts or advice?
Thanks

UPDATE:
The good news is I finally got a chance to go shoot some different factory loaded ammo and thankfully I am not going to have to ship it back to Remington for a new barrel.
HSM 39 grain Sierra Blitz King- 1 inch group at 100, 2 1/2"s at 200
Winchester 34 grain hollow point lubalux bullets- 1/2" groups at  100, 1 1/2" at 200.
Looking forward to trying my hand at reloading and see what it can do.
Anybody want to buy 60 rounds of Hornady Superformance 40 grains?

[wildweeds]

Probably not going to be of any help to you but I have a .204 in Savage predator 10 max 1, I've shot 40 through it with fioochi 32 grain vmax's and it shoots very very well.I've got half a dozen boxes of hornady ammo with the 40 grain vmax but haven't shot them yet.I also have the 1-12 twist in a 24 inch length.

[jpharcher]

The 1 in 12 using 40's is what I was told at 2 different gun shops so I then internet searched and saw that many people complained that the 40 grain just does not stabilize with a 1 in 12....I am going to get some different ammo and hope for the best.
I might have 6 boxes of 204 40 grain for sale soon...lol

[wildweeds]

Pretty wild I just did a quick check and the comments I saw all were thumbs down on 40 grain vmax,nosler ballistic tip just a hair better and 39 grain blitzkings seem to be the bees knees,a couple of votes for 35 grain bergers.

[jpharcher]

The 39 grain blitzkings is what I was told should do well, now are they available off the shelf or are just hand loads? I have to do some searching to answer that. I am looking for off the shelf cartridges for now, have all the reloading gear but have yet to use it

[Heredoggydoggy]

Although I have always used 32 grainers in my .20's, you should be doing better than that.  If you know someone with a borescope, see what it looks like inside.  I know a guy who has sent lots of Remington 700 rifles back to the factory because of bad barrels.  You should be sighting in a .204 at a MINIMUM of 150 yards, unless you are just trying to get the scope "on the paper". 

[204chucknorris]

I have a Savage 204 with 26 inch barrel shooting 39 seirras and 40 V-Max' with no issues. I have had this rifle for many years and have shot hundreds.  I had heard the same about 40gr bullets is 1-12 but have proof this is not true. Maybe your gun doesn't like the super performance ?

[wildweeds]

Your in the know Chuck, what is the scuttlebut on 40 v maxers out of a 24 inch barrell? How much does difference in barrell length play? I'm laid up off of work,Think I'll do a test tommorrow and go shoot a few groups of the 40's to see the difference firsthand if there is any.The thing is dialed on the 32's

I have a Savage 204 with 26 inch barrel shooting 39 seirras and 40 V-Max' with no issues. I have had this rifle for many years and have shot hundreds.  I had heard the same about 40gr bullets is 1-12 but have proof this is not true. Maybe your gun doesn't like the super performance ?

[jpharcher]

Yes, the 50 yards was just trying to get it on paper. My goal was to zero for 200.

[CAMPMEAT]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. My friend has one and shoots 40 grainers with zero issues.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Yes, the 50 yards was just trying to get it on paper. My goal was to zero for 200.

I thought so.  Still, factory ammo for the .204 is made in 40 and 32 grain bullet loadings.  Your gun should shoot either one well.  If it's keyholing, something is definitely wrong!

[wildweeds]

Found a commercial loading of the 39 grainers, out of stock of course but it's possible. Federal Premium Vital-Shok Rifle Ammunition P204A, 204 Ruger, Sierra BlitzKing, 39 GR, 3750 fps, 20 Rd/bx

[CAMPMEAT]

What is keyholing ? Show me a picture so I know what you're talking about. Nobody I know, knows what it is.......

[jpharcher]

definately keyholed almost every shot....think the couple that shot normal were flukes.

[jpharcher]

hole looks like bullet went thru sideways instead of point first. I will try to post some pics but not sure I can make work.