Barnes 20 Caliber 26 Grains Varmint Grenade

[Reloading Bum]

Hi Everyone,

Simply because I am not able to find the bullets that I want to use for my :
.204 Ruger
20 VarTarg

I bought some of these: Barnes 20 Caliber 26 Grains Varmint Grenade .204 in hopes that I could develop some decent loads for these two rifles.

Does anyone have any loads for either the .204 or the 20 VarTarg using these bullets? If so, I appreciate whatever you want to share. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to 'hunt' for additional information on these bullets to see if I can find something that works out 2-300 yards.

I'm just another Varmint shooter out having fun, no serious matches or anything.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Not having the right bullets at the start of varmint season is a real bummer. You might try looking for those loads over at the 204 forum. Lots of guys there shooting the 20VT too.

204Ruger - Index page

204ruger.com

Another place for both looking for those loads, and perhaps even finding some of the "right" bullets would be over at Saubier.

http://saubier.com/forum.html

Sorry if posting other sites of interest is verboten. If so, I apologize, just trying to help a fellow shooter.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Not having the right bullets at the start of varmint season is a real bummer. You might try looking for those loads over at the 204 forum. Lots of guys there shooting the 20VT too.

204Ruger - Index page

204ruger.com

Another place for both looking for those loads, and perhaps even finding some of the "right" bullets would be over at Saubier.

http://saubier.com/forum.html

Sorry if posting other sites of interest is verboten. If so, I apologize, just trying to help a fellow shooter.

Thank you, I appreciate it. I will be sure to share my findings as well, good and bad.

 

[Reloading Bum]

I found this on Barnes website for .204 Ruger for the 26Grain Varmint Grenade

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/204-Ruger.pdf

Or.. to make it easier to search in the forum to help other people:

Case: Winchester Primer: CCI 400 Case Trim: 1.840” Barrel Length: 24” Twist Rate: 1:12” Barrel: Douglas

Powder Minimum Maximum Charge (grains) Velocity (fps) Charge (grains) Velocity (fps)
IMR 4198 21.0 3736 23.5 4143
XMR 2015 24.5 3615 27.0 4045
Benchmark 25.5 3661 28.0 4172
X-Terminator 25.0 3773 27.5 4163
Win 748 27.5 3712 30.0 4200
*RL 10X 24.0 3806 26.5 4197
H335 26.0 3986 28.5 4161
Varget 27.5 3787 30.0c 4139
A-2520 29.0 3891 31.5 4179
A-2700 30.0 3753 32.5 4042
H4895 26.0 3680 28.5 4183

I'm going to try and load up some for both the .204 Ruger and 20 VarTarg

For the .204 Ruger I'm considering:
IMR 4198 21.0 3736 23.5 4143
RL 10X 24.0 3806 26.5 4197
H4895 26.0 3680 28.5 4183

For the 20 VarTarg I'm considering:
H4198 17.5gr
Reloder 7 17.5gr
H335 17.5gr

 

[Evan]

Case: Winchester Primer: CCI 400 Case Trim: 1.840” Barrel Length: 24” Twist Rate: 1:12” Barrel: Douglas

For the 20 VarTarg I'm considering:
H4198 17.5gr
Reloder 7 17.5gr
H335 17.5gr

What powders do you have available to you for the 20VT? Just for perspective, I shoot the 55gn Berger out of my 20VT at 3050fps with 17.6gns of H4198. I think you'll be able to go higher.

 

[jpx2rk]

I've tried the 26g as foulers in my 20P and got some decent groups with Bmark and some of the other powders listed in Hodgdons load data for the 20T. Have not done much development as I got the 26g's in a deal for 32 & 40's a few months ago.

 

[Reloading Bum]

What powders do you have available to you for the 20VT? Just for perspective, I shoot the 55gn Berger out of my 20VT at 3050fps with 17.6gns of H4198. I think you'll be able to go higher.

55gr bullets in the 20VT. My first thought is that seems heavy but I haven't tried it. Thanks, for sharing. I'll probably stick with what I have listed for powders in my previous post. I think the heaviest thing I have for 20Cal. is 40gr Bergers.

 

[1raggedhole]

I was also tempted to buy some of those, but isnt it funny that those bullets seem to be in stock everywhere? Makes me think no one shoots them.

 

[Evan]

55gr bullets in the 20VT. My first thought is that seems heavy but I haven't tried it. Thanks, for sharing. I'll probably stick with what I have listed for powders in my previous post. I think the heaviest thing I have for 20Cal. is 40gr Bergers.

You might find my log interesting, and this post in particular a little useful:

My 20 Vartarg custom

Jerry and I were out shooting last weekend and I snapped a picture of my 20 Vartarg with the 55gn Bergers next to his 300 Norma Mag with the big Bergers. Thought everyone here might get a kick out of the difference! Once weather gets a bit better and I can verify, I'll have some more load info...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Reloading Bum]

I did notice that they are in some of my local guns shops.

 

[Yote Hunter]

18.4 gr H 4198 works wonderful with 32 gr Vmax and 35 gr Berger in a 20 vartarg. No reason why it wouldn’t be great with a lighter bullet. That is pretty much a case full so you couldn’t go very much higher anyway. Nothing else has ever shot remotely as well as H 4198 and low extreme spreads. Fed 205M.

 

[pre64win]

I have been running some CFE BLK in my 20 Var Targ and accuracy and velocity have been good. I am shooting 40 V Max and BIB 40 bullets about 3650 FPS.

 

[1mil]

Hi Everyone,

Simply because I am not able to find the bullets that I want to use for my :
.204 Ruger
20 VarTarg

I bought some of these: Barnes 20 Caliber 26 Grains Varmint Grenade .204 in hopes that I could develop some decent loads for these two rifles.

Does anyone have any loads for either the .204 or the 20 VarTarg using these bullets? If so, I appreciate whatever you want to share. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to 'hunt' for additional information on these bullets to see if I can find something that works out 2-300 yards.

I'm just another Varmint shooter out having fun, no serious matches or anything.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

RB
I'm loading /shooting the grenade in a 1:12 VT now using RL 7 and easily pushing it @3950 from 26". Alll groups under 1/2 moa and most in the 3's. I have shoot 300 or so sage rats with this load and they are v explosive at this speed. I found case volume issues with other powders like 4198 to get the velocity I wanted.
Good luck ...have fun.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Nice! Thanks for sharing. I have a 1:12 VT and a 26" barrel. I'm going to load a few up in preparation for my next range trip.