new prairie dog rifle build on my mind.

[Savageseven]

hey guys im wanting to get some opinions from you experts. im going to be building a new rifle for a prairie dog hunt next year
and im going to choose the Berger 55 grain in 20 caliber for the high bc it has .
cartridges i had in mind are 20 dasher, 20x47 lapua, 20-223ai, 20 br, or 20 bra or 20-250ai can you guys give me some real world experance with aby of these shooting the berger 55 grain ?

 

[B23]

I had a 20-250 built a few years ago to specifically shoot the Berger 55's and have been very happy with it but I already had a pretty healthy supply of Lapua 22-250 brass stock piled. If I didn't already have a good supply of 22-250 brass the two I'd look at first would be a 20 Creedmoor or 20 GT. Alpha makes 22CM and 22GT brass so necking either down would be a snap and bushing dies in either would make things easy.

These larger capacity 20 cals already are fairly short on barrel life so for me I wouldn't want anything I had to fire form for. A 20-250AI would be equal to a 20 Creed, after, it was fire formed so why bother with ff'ing and not just build a 20CM. The 20GT would be equal to a 20x47 except 22GT Alpha brass for the parent case is easier to get.

The 20 Dasher would only shoot slightly slower but have a little more barrel life so if that's of any concern that could be a good direction to go as well and good quality 22 Dasher brass is available from Alpha which would make for another easy peasy 20 cal cartridge.

I'm not really all that concerned about barrel life so 20 Creedmoor would be my first choice followed closely by a 20GT.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Better buy a lifetime supply of those bullets first.

Primal rights on youtube shoots 20bra with the 55s.

 

[Tommie]

The general consensus amongst 55 grain Berger shooters is that 3750 FPS is where that bullet likes to leave the muzzle. My experience confirms this. I hear that people are hitting that velocity with a straight BR case. I suspect something with slightly more capacity would hit the magic 3750 while being a little better on brass life. Some folks who’ve built 20’s on cases like 22-250, 6.5x47 etc and have gotten snappier velocities but throttled back to the mid 3700’s for accuracy purposes. I suspect the sweet spot for this bullet lands somewhere between 20 BRA to 20 Dasher.

Only my experience. Sorry if someone’s favorite cartridge got its feelings hurt.

 

[Savageseven]

The general consensus amongst 55 grain Berger shooters is that 3750 FPS is where that bullet likes to leave the muzzle. My experience confirms this. I hear that people are hitting that velocity with a straight BR case. I suspect something with slightly more capacity would hit the magic 3750 while being a little better on brass life. Some folks who’ve built 20’s on cases like 22-250, 6.5x47 etc and have gotten snappier velocities but throttled back to the mid 3700’s for accuracy purposes. I suspect the sweet spot for this bullet lands somewhere between 20 BRA to 20 Dasher.

Only my experience. Sorry if someone’s favorite cartridge got its feelings hurt.

thank you so much for the information. i assume guys shooting the 20 dasher are using varget ?

 

[Savageseven]

I had a 20-250 built a few years ago to specifically shoot the Berger 55's and have been very happy with it but I already had a pretty healthy supply of Lapua 22-250 brass stock piled. If I didn't already have a good supply of 22-250 brass the two I'd look at first would be a 20 Creedmoor or 20 GT. Alpha makes 22CM and 22GT brass so necking either down would be a snap and bushing dies in either would make things easy.

These larger capacity 20 cals already are fairly short on barrel life so for me I wouldn't want anything I had to fire form for. A 20-250AI would be equal to a 20 Creed, after, it was fire formed so why bother with ff'ing and not just build a 20CM. The 20GT would be equal to a 20x47 except 22GT Alpha brass for the parent case is easier to get.

The 20 Dasher would only shoot slightly slower but have a little more barrel life so if that's of any concern that could be a good direction to go as well and good quality 22 Dasher brass is available from Alpha which would make for another easy peasy 20 cal cartridge.

I'm not really all that concerned about barrel life so 20 Creedmoor would be my first choice followed closely by a 20GT.

what powders seem to work best in 20 creed and 20 gt ?

 

[Tommie]

thank you so much for the information. i assume guys shooting the 20 dasher are using varget ?

Mine’s not a dasher but very similar case capacity. H4350 got me there.

 

[AckleymanII]

OP, I hope you have the bullets on hand. Barrel life is going to be short, count on it.

 

[17VLD]

Definitely a fun project to undertake. My 20 Dasher shoots 55s very well at 3750 with N550, today I would also try N150 as the flame temp is a good bit lower and is working well in my 6mms of the same case size.
I've often said I wish that there was more support and development in the 20 caliber heavy bullet department. How nice would it be to have a 50 grain ELD-VT or similar offering from Sierra.Todays shooters have some very nice brass to choose from. I can't wait till Lapua brings along the GT brass and Petersons Dasher case is not far behind Lapuas quality. No matter which case you choose you will definitely have fun with this project, but be prepared as others have said to have spare barrels available and keep your eyes open for Berger 55s.
As a side note my friend in Montana had a 20Dasher built to shoot 40 vmaxs at rockchucks when I built mine to shoot the 55s. Needless to say I chose a 9 twist he used an 11. He had great accuracy and lots of speed just not my choice for this case choice. I built a 20-222imp that has taken pds in Montana out to 572 yards with the 40 max. OP what distance do you want to consistently kill pds out to with the 55? You may have read about VolDocs 20BR and his pd kills out past 1000 yards.His thoughts were that the small hp and remaining energy out yonder weren't always enough for a quick kill.Again I wish we had 1/4 the bullet choices 22 and 6mm shooters have for our small calibers.
Matt

 

[L.Sherm]

The BRA has proven itself as far as fireforming you would be surprised how accurate the round can be if that worries you hydro form them.
I find a P.D patch and fire away and have some fun. I run the 55's at 3730 when I do my part it will shoot .078 at 100.

 

[Savageseven]

Definitely a fun project to undertake. My 20 Dasher shoots 55s very well at 3750 with N550, today I would also try N150 as the flame temp is a good bit lower and is working well in my 6mms of the same case size.
I've often said I wish that there was more support and development in the 20 caliber heavy bullet department. How nice would it be to have a 50 grain ELD-VT or similar offering from Sierra.Todays shooters have some very nice brass to choose from. I can't wait till Lapua brings along the GT brass and Petersons Dasher case is not far behind Lapuas quality. No matter which case you choose you will definitely have fun with this project, but be prepared as others have said to have spare barrels available and keep your eyes open for Berger 55s.
As a side note my friend in Montana had a 20Dasher built to shoot 40 vmaxs at rockchucks when I built mine to shoot the 55s. Needless to say I chose a 9 twist he used an 11. He had great accuracy and lots of speed just not my choice for this case choice. I built a 20-222imp that has taken pds in Montana out to 572 yards with the 40 max. OP what distance do you want to consistently kill pds out to with the 55? You may have read about VolDocs 20BR and his pd kills out past 1000 yards.His thoughts were that the small hp and remaining energy out yonder weren't always enough for a quick kill.Again I wish we had 1/4 the bullet choices 22 and 6mm shooters have for our small calibers.
Matt

wanting to shoot 800 to 1000 yards consistently

 

[Savageseven]

Definitely a fun project to undertake. My 20 Dasher shoots 55s very well at 3750 with N550, today I would also try N150 as the flame temp is a good bit lower and is working well in my 6mms of the same case size.
I've often said I wish that there was more support and development in the 20 caliber heavy bullet department. How nice would it be to have a 50 grain ELD-VT or similar offering from Sierra.Todays shooters have some very nice brass to choose from. I can't wait till Lapua brings along the GT brass and Petersons Dasher case is not far behind Lapuas quality. No matter which case you choose you will definitely have fun with this project, but be prepared as others have said to have spare barrels available and keep your eyes open for Berger 55s.
As a side note my friend in Montana had a 20Dasher built to shoot 40 vmaxs at rockchucks when I built mine to shoot the 55s. Needless to say I chose a 9 twist he used an 11. He had great accuracy and lots of speed just not my choice for this case choice. I built a 20-222imp that has taken pds in Montana out to 572 yards with the 40 max. OP what distance do you want to consistently kill pds out to with the 55? You may have read about VolDocs 20BR and his pd kills out past 1000 yards.His thoughts were that the small hp and remaining energy out yonder weren't always enough for a quick kill.Again I wish we had 1/4 the bullet choices 22 and 6mm shooters have for our small calibers.
Matt

im really leaning towards the 20 dasher and lapua or peterson brass

 

[L.Sherm]

If you go with a BR case you won't need much freebore for the 55's. About .015 is about right.

 

[Tommie]

If you go with a BR case you won't need much freebore for the 55's. About .015 is about right.

Agreed. Surprisingly short bearing surface on the 55’s. Matter of fact a zero freebore might be fine. A hotrod chambering makes chasing the lands a real necessity.

 

[7315br]

hey guys im wanting to get some opinions from you experts. im going to be building a new rifle for a prairie dog hunt next year
and im going to choose the Berger 55 grain in 20 caliber for the high bc it has .
cartridges i had in mind are 20 dasher, 20x47 lapua, 20-223ai, 20 br, or 20 bra or 20-250ai can you guys give me some real world experance with aby of these shooting the berger 55 grain ?

AFWIW (which ain't much)...my .20/250 was set-up exclusively for the Berger 55 gr bullet. Very accurate, but I ended up pulling the barrel at (417) rds do to excessive throat erosion. Took some PD's over a 1000 yds with the 55 gr Berger, but bullet performance was dismal (just penciled through) beyond 800 yds. Best of luck on your decision.

 

[L.Sherm]

While I really like my 20BRA and the 55's if I wanted a rig to take P.D out past 700 I would do a 6BRA

 

[AckleymanII]

While I really like my 20BRA and the 55's if I wanted a rig to take P.D out past 700 I would do a 6BRA

6 BRA, 6 Dasher, 6 BRX. 6x47 Lapua with 87g V max is not bad. The 6x47 Lapua is a larger case capacity where slower powders with a lower heat index helps with barrel life....AA2700.

 

[JSH]

I finally got my 20BR done and loads worked up. 55 grain Berger’s, CCI 450’s and VV 150, I have to say it was a pure pleasure to work with. I got a lot of help and info from some on this thread and this forum. Speed gain with increase in powder fell in like clock work, chrono numbers were excellent as well. I am jumping a bit but was told by some the bullet would respond well, I was wanting 36-3700. Rig told me different and I will not argue with the 3550 load accurate.

 

[JSH]

wanting to shoot 800 to 1000 yards consistently

With that statement, you will have to be there early and set up pretty quick. A couple of good friends is almost a must. Conditions change and mirage shows up your pretty much done imho. I figure you have 1-2 hours tops for good conditions.
I would suggest a town that you know and are sure their will be “volunteers” at a range you are after.

I get the 20BR, for me it was just to prove a point to myself and maybe show some naysayers different.
From what I have gathered in short time fooling with small calibers and smaller than normal cases, to hit the easy button, go with a 22 Dasher and your choice of bullet. Bullet selection is huge as I am sure you well know. I have shot a couple of Dashers but never built or owned one, outstanding is about the best as I can describe for what it is and what it does.
I built a 22BR and have had great luck with it, not picky and tame as a heel hound. If I had it to do over with what I know now it would be a 22 Dasher or BRA.

 

[JSH]

Just saw Bradley has a 20BRA reamer, hint hint.