20 BR Improved

[martini]

Last fall I ordered a 20 BR prefit 1:10 barrel for my custom Savage M12. I already shoot 55g Bergers in my 1:9 20 BR custom Remington and I intended the Savage to shoot 40 - 50g bullets. When I shot the 20 BR Savage barrel using Lapua brass formed for my fast twist 20 BR, I got case ruptures at the shoulder to neck transition. When I measured the brass I found that the shoulder had been moved forward and the shoulder angle was sharpened. So what I believe I have is a 20 BR improved chamber of some variant in the Savage barrel (comparing the cases to my 6mm Dasher it is not a 20 Dasher). So far the barrel maker has ignored my emails to correct this problem so I may end up using the barrel.

The top case is a 20 BR case fired in my fast twist Remington. The second case is a 20 BR formed case. The 3rd from the top is a case annealed and fire formed in the Savage chamber while the bottom case illustrates the issue I had with firing a formed case in the Savage barrel.

Does anyone shoot a 20 BR Improved. If so what do you do for a full length resizing die? I have dies for 22 BR, 6mm BR, 6mm Dasher, and 20 BR.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Randy

 

[Evlshnngns]

Would a FL sizing bushing die for a dasher work? If you have one, try it. I think you should let us know who did the barrel work.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I owned a 20br ai and had whidden gunworks make a custom die set for it based on the reamer print.

If the barrel company you purchased from won't respond and make it right I would probably just rechamber the barrel so you know exactly what you have.

 

[22DASHER]

Step 1: Find out what chamber you do have!

Looks like a 20 BRAI to me but I would get it confirmed

 

[martini]

Would a FL sizing bushing die for a dasher work? If you have one, try it. I think you should let us know who did the barrel work.

I thought about using my 6mm dasher die but the case wouldn't go far enough into the resizing die to touch the shoulder. I can resize the neck with my Redding 20/22 Type S die but eventually a full length resize would be required. I'm giving the barrel maker some more time before I trash him in an open forum.

 

[martini]

One of the questions I asked the barrel maker (twice) was which reamer he actually used. If someone makes a 20 BRAI die, I've been unable to locate the source. Hate to go to the expense of a custom die for one barrel. Not having a print of the 20 BRAI chamber, I don't know how I'd confirm the actually chambering.

Step 1: Find out what chamber you do have!

Looks like a 20 BRAI to me but I would get it confirmed

 

[L.Sherm]

I have a 20 BRAI basically, looks like the 4th case down pushed the shoulder ahead more than the 3rd one. If you wanna send me the 4th case I can measure it in comparison to mine.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

And this is exactly why I always purchase my own reamers and have custom dies built for wildcat cartridges...

 

[tmwinds]

If it does in fact have a 40 degree shoulder Harrell's Precision can make you a semi-custom FL bushing die for $75. You will need to send them 2 fully fire formed and unsized pieces of brass. They usually have about a 2-3 day turn around. Just google Harrell's Precision for information and a phone number.

 

[martini]

Thanks, I did finally hear back from the barrel maker last night and he offered to send me a chamber print and seems to be willing to work with me.

 

[orbitup]

I'm a newb so this is probably a stupid question but could it be a headspace issue?

 

[martini]

I'm a newb so this is probably a stupid question but could it be a headspace issue?

A head space issue would not explain the change in shoulder angle. I doubt the head space is up to my usual standards given that I head spaced it like my 20 BR and it's obviously not a 20 BR. If anything the head space is likely too small.

 

[martini]

The barrel maker sent me an image of the PTG finish reamer. It's marked 20 BR with no part number even though it's obviously a 20 BR improved. I'm at a loss.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

If you do have a 20br improved that's not a bad thing. Making brass is as simple as only sizing enough of the neck down to create a false shoulder, then load and fire. After that you would need to have Whidden Gunworks make you a custom die set.

 

[martini]

While I agree with you in theory I would need some way to properly head space the barrel and really hadn't plan to buy new dies as I already have 20 BR does. I would send back to exchange for a 20 BR barrel but the barrel maker doesn't have a 20 BR reamer.

Randy

 

[22DASHER]

I would just shoot two or three cases three times each and then send them to Harrell's for a FL bushing die. Then buy a Wilson seater die blank and send it to the smith who miss cut the barrel and tell him to cut your seater die with that reamer for free. Sell your 20BR dies and you would probably be ahead.... Problem solved.

 

[martini]

Can't sell my 20 BR dies as I have another 20 BR. I don't see how this solves the head space issue and I would be out the cost of a Harrell's custom die and a Wilson blank.
Runs into money for a build that I thought I had already spent all that was needed.

I'm thinking I'd be ahead to give up for this year, order a Shilen 20 BR barrel, and work on it next year. I suppose if the barrel maker offers me an exchange, I could get a popular caliber, sell the barrel, and start all over again.

Randy

 

[martini]

The Wilson 20 caliber seater blank is $40 at Brownells. Not sure what Harrell's price on a custom die is but their regular sizing die is $70. All this for a barrel that I was supposed to be able to use my 20 BR dies with.

Randy

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

If it isn't going to work for you I would ask the company you got it from to take a return and issue you a refund since they didn't send you the barrel you asked for.

 

[Evlshnngns]

If it isn't going to work for you I would ask the company you got it from to take a return and issue you a refund since they didn't send you the barrel you asked for.

I agree. That isn't what you ordered. Let him take it up with the seller of the reamer.