20 BR Improved

[martini]

The gunsmith who chambered the barrel agreed to contribute toward a custom die so I'm going to keep the barrel and have either a Whidden or Harrell's die made. What's one more caliber to worry about anyway?

Randy

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Good to hear that you were able to get things resolved, I think you will really enjoy the 20br ai.

 

[martini]

We'll see. I have to redo the headspace and then shoot rounds for brass to get a custom die made so that I can work up a load for it.

With a PD shoot coming up in July, vacation with wife and friends in August, and potential knee replacement surgery this winter it may very well be next summer before I know whether I choose wisely to stick with this barrel.

Randy

 

[martini]

What's the best source for a custom resizing die made from brass fired in my chamber? Whidden? Harrell?

 

[22DASHER]

Harrell’s. Cheaper. Faster. Perfection.

 

[martini]

Harrell’s. Cheaper. Faster. Perfection.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Second question. I had planned to shoot the 40g Vmax bullet in this barrel (real fast) when I thought it was a 20 BR. Now that I know it's a 20 BR AI, I'm questioning whether I should shoot a heavier bullet. In my 1:9 PacNor barreled 20 BR I shoot the 55g Berger with great success and have yet to find a load for the 55g Black Hole tipped bullet that shoots well. Can anyone recommend a bullet that's in between the 40g commerical offerings and the 55g Berger to shoot in the 20 BR AI 1:10 twist barrel- something in the 48-50g range would be about the right weight, I think.

randy

 

[martini]

My Harrell's bushing resizing die came today and I resized the 80 pieces of brass I fireformed in the rifle and thus am ready to begin load development. I have 40g Vmax (many), 40g Ballistic Tips (couple of hundred) and a few 39g Blitz Kings. (Also have 55g Bergers and 55g Black Hole bullets that I shoot in my 1:9 20BR but I doubt they would stabilize in a 1:10 barrel). Suggestions for loads/powders? The rifle will only be used to shoot prairie dogs.

Randy

 

[L.Sherm]

RL15 for the heavies, 8208 for the 39-40 maybe H4895 also.

 

[martini]

Thanks. I haven't any 8208 but do have H4895 which shoot well in my 204's and RL15 which I shoot in my Dasher and 1:8 20 BR.

 

[wholman]

I would do a chamber cast.

 

[martini]

I don't see the what information a chamber cast would provide that I don't already have. I have fireformed brass and a die made to the brass which works perfectly. After I get back back from shooting PD's in Wyoming I will work up a load and hopefully be able to take it on next years shoot.

thanks,

Randy

 

[CdnHotshot]

I'm late in finding this post...
I shoot a 20BR 1:12 PacNor and 20BR Ackley 40deg. w/1:9 PacNor
I've got two pet loads for the latter (ackley) shooting 50gr. Bergers
32.0 RL15 = avg 3668 fps
33.9 H4350 = avg 3652 fps
Both are loaded with 450 primers
The RL15 is slightly more accurate
Using bushing die and comp. seater custom ordered from Hornady 10 years ago when I sent them my brass.
The 20BR 1:12 is loaded with 39SBK... very accurate

 

[martini]

Thank you for the information. I wish Berger still made the 50g bullet so I could try it in my 1:10 BRAI. I recently got back from a prairie dog shooting expedition to Wyoming and exercised my 1:9 20 BR shooting 55g Bergers and 55g Blackhole bullets to the tune of about 250 rounds. It was hot and windy but the wind deflection was much less than I anticipated.

I think it will become my favorite PD rifle.

 

[CdnHotshot]

I havn't tried the 55gr because I'd expect it to be slower then the 50gr in velocity and I dont want give any more speed. The extra energy would be appealing so it might not be out of the question at a future date.
I wonder if the 55's will be suited for a 1:9 twist
I bet H4350 would be excellent with the 55's

 

[martini]

The 55g Bergers shoot well in my three groove 1:9 PacNor 20BR barrel. I've had good luck with RL15.

Randy

 

[L.Sherm]

I tried H4350, it was to slow no velocity.

 

[CdnHotshot]

The 55g Bergers shoot well in my three groove 1:9 PacNor 20BR barrel. I've had good luck with RL15.

Randy

What is the velocity, barrel length in your experience with RL15, thanks

 

[CdnHotshot]

I tried H4350, it was to slow no velocity.

I had excellent accuracy with H4350 and it shot at the same velocity as RL15 .....with both averaging around 3650, I had been hoping to be over 3700, maybe I need to try a hotter load with RL15 ??
This is with Berger 50's

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

My experince with 4350 was the same as Sherms , low velocity. However with 8208 I was pushing the 50 grain Bergers 3,800 fps with my 20 Nitro (20 BR ai). RL15 is capable of pushing the 55 Berger up into the mid 3,700 fps range.

I had excellent accuracy with H4350 and it shot at the same velocity as RL15 .....with both averaging around 3650, I had been hoping to be over 3700, maybe I need to try a hotter load with RL15 ??
This is with Berger 50's

 

[CdnHotshot]

I am going to try and push these 50's closer to 3750 / 3775 range , which should be do-able with in this calibre/bullet combination.