20 br 55 gr starting loads

[Piglet]

Looking for starting loads for the 20 br, 1-9"twist, w 55 gr bullets . Want to try rl 15, a2520, varget, etc. What powder do you like? More importantly want your starting load. I'll work up to the sweet spot myself, just need to know where to start. Thanks

 

[Tommie]

Use the search function for “20 BR 55”
Lots of info on this combo previously discussed.

 

[doctorh]

Use the search function for “20 BR 55”
Lots of info on this combo previously discussed.

If you have a 24" or longer brl. I would try h4350 or r 17. Start at 30 grains and work up in .2 increments.

 

[L.Sherm]

If you have a 24" or longer brl. I would try h4350 or r 17. Start at 30 grains and work up in .2 increments.

Mine is a BRAI I could get any speed outta 4350 no matter how much powder I put to it, I know others that didn't have any success with it either.

 

[odie]

Benchmark, N133 great acc, speed

 

[Gabe22BR]

RL15
H4350
Varget
N140
N135

Search function is good for 20BR- also on main page has loads..

 

[Piglet]

Thanks for the info

 

[RegionRat]

These are what is shown on the Hodgdon Web site but not for the 55.
Many tables predate the 55 and show the then 50 gr which is obsolete now.
This will give you a good feel for how they run the powders shown.
Lately, it seems like Hodgdon is adding loads, but pushing those other brands (Accurate, Ramshot) that they acquired and showing few new loads with the Hodgdon, Win, or IMI powders.
I don't mind seeing those other brands, but wonder why they don't show the H, IMR, or W that much?


20 BR loads.


Now just for comparison, when I play with QL or GRT, I like to see what other published data there is for "close" to the 20 cal, even if it isn't the same diameter. So, they show 22 BR Rem loads but this time they show the Hodgdon powders. You don't get to see the Accurate or Ramshot powders on this cartridge, so it isn't easy to extrapolate to the 55 gr 20 cal, but it is still useful.


22 BR Rem loads (Not 20 cal)


Good Luck and in for the range report.

 

[Piglet]

Thanks for the reply, I had looked at hogdon, and noticed the same. I also found data from accurate for the 50 gr, from b4 the purchase by Hodgdon. I assumed they published the older data,hence the no Hodgdon powders. So with 22 br data I need to back off that start data, as the 20cal 55 is a bit longer then the 22 cal 55. Would 10% be enough? W the 50 grain .20 I’d think 2-3grains would be plenty? I’ll reread terrific 20s, im sure I can find more info there as well. Most of what I’ve read here is where they shoot well. I’m sure I can back off 10% from those and be good as well.

 

[RegionRat]

When discussing going too far under the known published starting loads, you can take the concept too far and end up in trouble.

With H4895 being an example of a very forgiving powder, there are other scenarios with other powders where you can get a high pressure spike by going too low. So, don't go crazy low either unless you know it has been done safely.

Roughly speaking, the 30 grain level and 10% is 3 grains so 27 grains. You would likely be safe with something like Varget, RE15, etc., there, but you are unlikely to stay there anyway.

 

[Gabe22BR]

If you don’t own a The terrific twenties book- suggest ya get one- lots of good info Todd has in there..

You are being redirected...

 

[Piglet]

When discussing going too far under the known published starting loads, you can take the concept too far and end up in trouble.

With H4895 being an example of a very forgiving powder, there are other scenarios with other powders where you can get a high pressure spike by going too low. So, don't go crazy low either unless you know it has been done safely.

Roughly speaking, the 30 grain level and 10% is 3 grains so 27 grains. You would likely be safe with something like Varget, RE15, etc., there, but you are unlikely to stay there anyway.

That's what I was concerned w. I've very seldom never had a starting load. I do have terrific 20s, but most components are very dated. 36 gr bergers, and 33 grain v-max! Figure I'll drop 10% under what most folks are calling the sweet spot and go from there. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[17VLD]

Ole VolDoc used Varget for his 1000 yard + pd shot
Tommie and others are right about the search engine.Lots of great stuff discussed,even if it’s old You can see his load in one of the pictures, while not in grains it clicks on a Harrell.When I built my 12 twist 20 BR I used 31.0 N540 with a 39 BK to get in the 500 yard club it worked very well.I bet N540 would also work well with the 55s.The “hero” picture is in the VHA Oct ‘05 issue if anyone is interested.Im looking forward to shooting my newly put together 20 BRA at distant ‘chucks and maybe pd’s if I get back west.

Savage 20 BR up and runnning and gunnin' for 1,000yd PDog=Pics and BS aplenty

Well alright then= My Ole Salvage Split Port 6BR told me a few months ago that it was sick of all the fun the Rugermites and Remchesters were making of the 4" = 200 yds groups it was shootin'= so Ole VolDoc ordered a new Hart 20 cal 9 twist barrel and sent it off to Kevin Rayhill of Stockade...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[JSH]

I have a neglected 20BR patiently awaiting attention. It may see a few 39-40 grain bullets, but very few is the plan. I bought enough Berger 55’s to wear it out or come close.
Most 20 and 22 BR data/load I for is some what dated, as are a lot of wildcats.
Even easy to find published data is out of date. I looked around for some info on a wildcat a while back. Buddy sent me a link, it is the same data as what I had from the 80’s. Then the “best” loads the powder is either out of production or no one has seen any for a number of years.