20 cal shooters: the Sierra 36 grain Blitzking is a “Go”

[Tommie]

I spoke to Sierra today and the long-awaited 36 grain Blitzking is finally scheduled for production. The first run is happening in February. They’re not taking pre-orders at this time but it sounds like they’ll be able to take orders mid to late January.

With a BC of .255 I think this will be a great “tweener” with the current tipped varmint bullets. I’m guessing 3,900 FPS would be doable in a 204 Ruger and it would also make a great option for Vartarg shooters looking for something heavier than 32’s without having to go into the 39-40 grain zone. I’ll be loading the 36’s in a 204 for this year’s poodle safari. Should be fun!

Edit- I’m in 110% agreement that a 50 grain tipped varmint bullet would be fantastic but until there’s a SAAMI cartridge designed for such a bullet, that pipe dream will remain unfulfilled. Thank goodness Grafs has stepped up and is contracting with Berger for the 55’s.

 

[long40shot]

I might have to test a few out.

 

[20 TAC]

Outstanding news! Thanks for sharing and agree—this ought to be perfect for the 204.

 

[arfinok]

Good news indeed!!

 

[Matt_3479]

Love to try these! I’m running the 39’s at 4030ish fps. These 36’s would be fun

 

[JB10]

With how limited sierra has always been in my area, woulder how much supply of these will be out there. Can not find many sierra on the shelves any more. I gave up on them several years ago for that.

 

[17VLD]

Should be a great addition to all my 12 twist 20s and I will try them in my 13 twist coyote rifle to see how they do. Great news, thanks for posting this Tommie!

Matt

 

[L.Sherm]

While I'm all for more 20 cal bullets I dont see them being a " wow" difference than the 39 especially if the price stays up, now a 50 grainer 20 cal now were talkin.

 

[7315br]

While I'm all for more 20 cal bullets I dont see them being a " wow" difference than the 39 especially if the price stays up, now a 50 grainer 20 cal now were talkin.

Sherm..."you are right on" with your comment. There's nothing wrong with the Sierra 39 gr bullet except the price. It's a great bullet for the .20PPC and the .20JI...but the 40 gr V-Max is not far off if one stays with a 11-twist. I'm like you...I'd rather see a 50 gr Sierra Blitz.

 

[Jrjones]

I’ll still shoot the 39’s. Cool to see a new bullet. I’m content w the 32’s and 39’s, I would much rather see a soft point gameking or pro hunter. Or something like the hornady 45gr soft point come back.

 

[L.Sherm]

A 20 cal 48- 50BK in my 20PPCAI would be killer, a P.D killin son of a gun.

 

[Shotafterdark]

arggghhh !! when can we get some 50 plus grainers ??? there is a GLUT of these tiny things

 

[Fern]

3900 is easily doable. I got that with the 39s. I backed down my charge as I did not have a need to push that hard and had a good group with lower charge

 

[tstowater]

Solving a problem that didn't exist. Does sound intriguing. Probably will buy just to see how they work.

 

[Fern]

Solving a problem that didn't exist. Does sound intriguing. Probably will buy just to see how they work.

Actually many factory rifles can’t stabilize the 40s so 36 might work great in those rifles.
I know I would try them in my 204R if I still had the factory barrel.

 

[Tommie]

Solving a problem that didn't exist. Does sound intriguing. Probably will buy just to see how they work.

Kinda disagree. The current bullet weight selection of tipped varmint bullets in 20 caliber is 32,39 and 40 grains. Three choices. Adding a fourth choice isn’t exactly a glut of options. I’m happy any bullet manufacturer is at least paying some attention to the 20’s

 

[17VLD]

This^^^ Its kinda funny to me,I remember when the 22 caliber 53 VMax was new I thought the bullet companies were trying to get back some of the thunder the new 20 calibers had with the incredible .275 bc 20 caliber 40 grain Vmax. Since then we have seen new 22 caliber bullets in a 62 grain ELDVT,69BK,69TMK,69ELDVT and even new cartridges like the 22 ARC and 22 Creedmoor to shoot those bullets. While im not complaining about new 22 caliber offerings I think that 20 calibers deserve some love too. I am definitely happy about this new 20 caliber 36 grain poly tipped bullet, it will definitely provide a great choice for 20 VarTarg shooters and those people with 12 twist rifles and some of the other smaller cased 20s. As far as bigger 20s we would be well served with a 48-50 grain poly tipped bullet too. Perhaps the bullet companies realize the 20s are here to stay and that is what makes me most happy about a new offering in 20 caliber because after all, once you shoot a 20 you start to realize just how capable they can be.Perhaps if we buy a decent quantity of these 36s they may finally realize what we have been saying all along and then they just may listen again and offer a nice 48-50 poly tipped bullet too and fulfill the potential of what a 20 caliber can be.
 Matt

 

[tstowater]

Not to disagree and obviously Sierra believes there is enough of a market to justify but is this just going to cannibalize some of the 32 grain market? Just curious as to whether this will really expand the 20 caliber market in the long run. Time will tell. First run will definitely sell well.

 

[JSH]

All for more 20 anything. FYI when you buy, I would advise at least a half a life time supply. May be a lonnnggg while between batches. How many years did it take for the 39’s to come back around????
Sierra is local to me have admiration and respect for them, just no patience any more, sorry to say the same goes for Hodgdon.

 

[Tommie]

Not to disagree and obviously Sierra believes there is enough of a market to justify but is this just going to cannibalize some of the 32 grain market? Just curious as to whether this will really expand the 20 caliber market in the long run. Time will tell. First run will definitely sell well.

They already were selling the 36 grainer with their now discontinued Prairie Enemy loaded ammo. So they already have the tooling. Along with several other people, I pestered Sierra to release this bullet for handloaders. It’s a great sign that the 20’s are finally on someone’s radar.