20 cal barrel help

[trappst]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some help on 20 caliber custom barrels. I have a new project in the works for this year but I can't decide on who's barrel I want to order. I want a barrel that will handle the Berger 55's so a 1:8 or 8.5 is in order. I'll be ordering a contoured blank and I'd like to keep the price around the $300 area,less would be good too). Barrel will be used primarily for coyotes and a little paper punching.

After searching through several custom barrel websites, I can only find two that offer the 1:8 or 8.5 twist. Pac-Nor and Montana barrels.

Do any of you have any suggestions or first hand experience with 1:8/8.5 twist 20 cal barrels.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[SongdogHunter]

Go over to Saubier and start reading, you will see a 9 Twist is working for the 55's.
what cartridge are you planning on using for the 55's?

SDH

 

[trappst]

Chamber will be 20x47 Lapua

thanks for the info, the email I got back from Berger recommended the 8 twist but said they will stabilize in a 8.5

if they work in a 9 twist, that would greatly increase my barrel options!

 

[malcarjeb]

I am shooting a Pac-nor 3 groove 9 twist barrel in 20br. Its shooting in the .2s and low .3s at 100 yards. It was to windy today to try them at 300 and 500 yards, maybe tomorrow.

I have shot them from upper 30* to 60* at 135ft above sea level and am very pleased with them. Berger recommended a 9 twist for the 50s and I know some where shooting them with 10 twist with no problems.

 

[SongdogHunter]

I did a 20 x 47 Improved of my design last year on a stiller Diamondback action. I only shot the 50's through it, and it was spectacular. I have the reamer if your interested.

The 20 Dasher will do close to the same velocity with less powder, as it is more efficient in my book. It 47' lapua case just has a lot of capacity for a 20 caliber

I intend to test the 55's in my 9 twist 20 Dasher in the next couple weeks.

If your interested here is my .20 Badger Buster

These are the fireform groups.

SDH

 

[trappst]

Thanks SDH! Gorgeous rifle you have there! I'll have a reamer in hand next week but I'm not sure when this project will really get going. Got a baby girl due in a couple weeks.

I do have a 20BR Pac-Nor but it's a 12 twist and I stick with the 40's in it. Very, very accurate and 4K fps is pretty easy even with the 24' barrel. It was a 20 Vartarg that I had rechambered.

I'm gonna try to keep this as simple as I can. With 6.5x47L bushing dies being fairly common, it'll be an economical way of loading. Get a few replacement internal parts and I'm all set.

If you don't mind, I may pick ur brain when it comes time to start load development!

Thanks again!

 

[SongdogHunter]

No Problem

 

[Alycidon]

Bartlein will build you whatever twist you want, Berger are suggesting that 8 or 8.5 twist is ideal but I have ordered some to try through a 9 twist.

Not sure that anyone on Saubier has actually got there hands on any yet though. Not read any reviews yet myself.

A

 

[kapac]

I have a Shilen Match in 20cal. 1-8', its a 20Tac and is built on the Contender frame I also shoot the 50gr Bergers in mine.


Kapac

 

[Alycidon]

That should shoot the new Berger 55grs well, info on how these are running is pretty thin on the web at present. I suspect like me most are waiting for bullet supplies.

A

 

[jrkotz]

What's the consensus on this? Seems like with a 20 BR in a 1 in 9" twist a 55 G berger is okay? Anyone have contradictory results?

Thanks

 

[FURMAN]

I have a 8.5 twist Pacnor and a 9 twist Douglas. Both shoot well but the Doulgas shoots slightly better.

 

[skeetlee]

Nice stick songdog!! Very nice sir!! Lee

 

[kevinthree]

I used a Pac-Nor for a .20 Practical, 1/8 twist, on a CZ 527 for a XC match today. My first 3 shots at 600 were X's with the Berger 55s. I also used the 55's at 300 for rapid, although the 40's may have worked as well. The 55's are very good in the wind and the only marginal shots were my fault. I used 22.3 gr. of 322.
Kevin