20 TAC load data

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Looking to work up a load for a new Hart barrel 20 TAC. Wanting to try something besides RL-10x that is Accurate and has the speed. What are you loading now with 39 sierras thats grouping good and around 3800 plus fps?? New RL-10x is slower than old lots

 

[Tim s]

The guys using it for PPC’s say it ain’t so so you might try a different source.
That said, in two TAC’s benchmark was good with slightly lower fps but unless you’re a high volume loader go with N133 which is clean, fast, and accurate, I got 3900fps+ with 40 Vmax’s in Lapua/Dakota brass in my Dakota with a 26” 11 twist Lilja.

 

[searcher]

Accurate LT-32, though the velocity will be short of what you want if shooting in an A/R, as I am. Two other good ones are H-4198 and H-322. Seems that in the .20 Practicals/Tacticals I have done load development for (6), none of them liked the powders that got the best velocities. Sure - they will all do 1/2" or 3/4" - but for the best accuracy - the LT-32 should be tried. It also works as well with the 32's and lead-free should you ever use them. After trying everything under the sun - I came back to these powders shooting lower velocities as I turn the necks on my
A/R brass and I like to seem them last more than three or four firings. Seems the most accurate load is also kind to my brass.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I do have lots of LT-32 left over from shooting 6PPC bench rifle i no longer own. I will give it a try in this Hart barrel 20 TAC with 32 and 39 gr Sierras. I think i also may have some N-133
Thanks

 

[mikeinct]

mine likes Benchmark & 39gr Sierra, Dakota/lapua brass. Enjoy it fun gun.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I am needing for Dakota/ Laupa brass for the 20 Tactical. Can anyone spare some? email to dennwhit@gmail.com

 

[Matt_3479]

I’ve had best accuracy with imr 8208 xbr. Super clean, 39’s going 3802 FPS, not a max load: I’ve tried 10x and benchmark as well but 8208 really made it come alive. Tiny tiny little groups.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Matt, what was your 8208 powder weight? What grain bullet? Thanks.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Does anyone use 8208 in their 20 Tactical?

 

[sundance]

I was out last week fire forming Tac 20 brass in my 20 Practical using 8208 . Probably not a direct comparison to what you are looking for but it should be close. 80 degrees at 4600 ft elevation- 40 gr Vmax.Shot very nice!
26 gr 8208 = 3860 fps
26.5 gr 8208 = 3905 fps
27 gr 8208 = 3984 fps. Sticky bolt lift on this load in my rifle.
My 204 also loves this powder with the 39 gr Sierras.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

That gives me a range. thanks.

 

[hemi]

My 20 Tac likes 26gr of 8208 and 40gr Berger bullets.
Also 24.5grs Benchmark with 35gr Berger bullets
Hemi

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Thanks. I loaded some with 8208 and will try tomorrow.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I guess the 40 grain Vmax does not work in my Tactical. It has a 1-12 twist barrel. Tried 32 grains today and the accuracy was there! Found VV-133 and H322 the best. I'm loading 500 at 26.5 grains of H322 with the 32Vmax bullet. Gives about 4150 velocity.

 

[chuckshooter]

I guess the 40 grain Vmax does not work in my Tactical. It has a 1-12 twist barrel. Tried 32 grains today and the accuracy was there! Found VV-133 and H322 the best. I'm loading 500 at 26.5 grains of H322 with the 32Vmax bullet. Gives about 4150 velocity.

I believe that it's not just the twist but the land configuration as well. I am able to shoot 40's in my 2 cooper 20tac's (12T) and 40's in my 204 with a 12t pacnor, and also in my kreiger barrels, but not in several of my other 12t barrels. I don't know if the differance is 3 grove, 4 grove, 6 grove or smaller or wider lands, but when people say 40's won't shoot in a 12twist barrel, I always ask what brand of barrel first? I have a couple of 11t x-caliber barrels that I just installed and they will not shoot 40's . of course x-caliber is like throwing a dart at a dart board. I will not be buying any more of their barrels no matter what kind of a sale they have. back to 20tac., the 20t or 20p either one, must be my favorite caliber because I have 5 now and I guess therapy is in my near future. as I posted on Saubier, 322 is my go to powder on the 20tac. I think people might be getting carried away with this craze to shoot heavier bullets, it's not like you have just one shot at the varmint. most long shots on squirrels or prairie dogs, you will get a chance to have some follow up. sounds like you found a good load, good luck

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Thanks for that. My barrel is a Hart. Prairie dogs could care less what grain bullet.

 

[ALBULLET]

I was out last week fire forming Tac 20 brass in my 20 Practical using 8208 . Probably not a direct comparison to what you are looking for but it should be close. 80 degrees at 4600 ft elevation- 40 gr Vmax.Shot very nice!
26 gr 8208 = 3860 fps
26.5 gr 8208 = 3905 fps
27 gr 8208 = 3984 fps. Sticky bolt lift on this load in my rifle.
My 204 also loves this powder with the 39 gr Sierras.

I also load 27g to 27.2g 8208 with the TAC20 and 39 sierra . 27.2 is too HARD on brass and too HOTT on warm days. Start 26.3 and work up.
Mine is a 12T... 7" hi at 100y put me close to dead on at 535y few week back. Shot 3 groups of 3... Elevation change of 6" hit low; 7" CLOSE: 8" high at 535y... Groups 2" to 3.7"... Rem 700 chambered by Billy Stevens.
SCOTTY

 

[Tim s]

I believe that it's not just the twist but the land configuration as well. I am able to shoot 40's in my 2 cooper 20tac's (12T) and 40's in my 204 with a 12t pacnor, and also in my kreiger barrels, but not in several of my other 12t barrels. I don't know if the differance is 3 grove, 4 grove, 6 grove or smaller or wider lands, but when people say 40's won't shoot in a 12twist barrel, I always ask what brand of barrel first? I have a couple of 11t x-caliber barrels that I just installed and they will not shoot 40's . of course x-caliber is like throwing a dart at a dart board. I will not be buying any more of their barrels no matter what kind of a sale they have. back to 20tac., the 20t or 20p either one, must be my favorite caliber because I have 5 now and I guess therapy is in my near future. as I posted on Saubier, 322 is my go to powder on the 20tac. I think people might be getting carried away with this craze to shoot heavier bullets, it's not like you have just one shot at the varmint. most long shots on squirrels or prairie dogs, you will get a chance to have some follow up. sounds like you found a good load, good luck

Land configuration probably not the culprit, it is primarily that some bbl makers with some configurations cannot get a round bore.
If you are at the stability margin to begin with, you think pushing an oblong slug out there helps or hurts ?
As far as “craze” for heavier slugs...... as an FYI, the TAC20 was developed for and primarily in conjunction with the 40 Vmax behind R10X as an

 

[GAnderson]

Land configuration probably not the culprit, it is primarily that some bbl makers with some configurations cannot get a round bore.
If you are at the stability margin to begin with, you think pushing an oblong slug out there helps or hurts ?
As far as “craze” for heavier slugs...... as an FYI, the TAC20 was developed for and primarily in conjunction with the 40 Vmax behind R10X as an

When I had my first 20Tac the 40gr V-max wasn't being made yet...the only available bullet was the 33gr V-max...yes 33gr v-max and I believe a 37gr Berger. So I highly doubt that the 20Tac was built around the 40 v-max. We used to run 13 twist PacNor barrels with the 33gr V-max.

Gene

 

[Tim s]

When I had my first 20Tac the 40gr V-max wasn't being made yet...the only available bullet was the 33gr V-max...yes 33gr v-max and I believe a 37gr Berger. So I highly doubt that the 20Tac was built around the 40 v-max. We used to run 13 twist PacNor barrels with the 33gr V-max.

Gene

Actually it was mainly the other way around, when talking to Todd Kindler, who invented the TAC, he indicated he had a lot of input with Hornady , who wanted a different configuration but he impressed upon them the benefit of a 40gr slug with a very high BC for that chambering when it was entirely a wildcat.