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20 Cal Question

warrbuk

Silver $$ Contributor
I dont have any 20's so I am reachinng out to those that play in that world.

There is a 20 P for sale on another website, Nice set up, except it was built to shoot 55's and has a 8.5 twist barrel.

apparently those bullets are very limited, a little web searching has 40 grain bullets at 3750-2850 FPS and a quick calculation shows bullet RPM well over 300,000.

Is this rifle going to likely blow up 40 grain varmint bullets?

Thanks
Mark
 
Grafs has the 55s right now. Depending on the condition of the bore the 40s may have an issue. I'd buy it and in the worse case throttle back on the 40s to 3700 fps and enjoy. Buying a used rifle can be risky, I tend to assume the worst and anticipate buying another barrel for it in the near future. If you have a borescope bring it along and be sure. Can be a great negotiation tool.
Matt
 
I'd love to play with them 55s... also me, stay away from another rabbit hole. Great calber.

Not sure what you are doing with it. If predator hunting I would steer clear of the fast twist. They splash. I have a 20 ppc and its a hammer. Cut 2 bbls at the same time expecting to shoot the barrel out. Bought 2000 bullets. It has held my floor in place for years... not because I dont like it. More because I dont shoot like I did 10 years ago and I seldom hunt.

Depending on bbl length your velocity expectations may even be a shade low. You can always grab a lower fps node.
 
You can still shoot 40gr with that twist, just don’t go pushing for max speed to be safe. Maybe play around 3500-3700 fps

Could put a new barrel on if you get a good enough deal the rifle (11 twist is ideal for anything 40gr and lighter). But i bet it shoots 40gr just fine with the 8.5 twist
 
I can't imagine not having at least one 20.
And the 20P doesn't get any easier...a joy to shoot and load for.
However that is a specialized rig you're looking at. JMO...you loose a lot of the high velocity 20's are known with a 55 in a 20P. If you can confirm the barrel is in good shape, it would probably shoot 40gr bullets just fine. More twist than you need but p dogs, ground hogs and squirrels will never know.
 
IMHO, the most efficient 20’s ie. 204, TAC 20’s are ideal 1/11, 1/12 shooting 39’s-40’s and then maybe 32’s.
My TAC’s shooting 40Vmax @ 3900+fps is about perfect
 
If efficient comes into the equation I vote 20VT, ease then 20P.
If I'm gonna shoot 39-55's 20PPCAI.
Strictly 55's and raw accuracy 20BRA.
I guess that's why I have all 4, you really can't go wrong with any 20.
The 20-221AI (20SCC) will be knocking on the door as far as FPS with the 20P, 20Tac, and 204 all things being equal with 4 gr less powder.
 
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Thanks for the info gents! I may just stay in my lane with 22 cal centerfires for shooting squeeks.
You don't know what you'll be missing.

When ya start shooting the 20's, your chick will start looking at you with a sparkle. Your dog will quit barking, and your old truck will start running better. The squeaks will almost enjoy getting shot, and you'll almost always see it happen in your scope. :) jd
 
I dont have any 20's so I am reachinng out to those that play in that world.

There is a 20 P for sale on another website, Nice set up, except it was built to shoot 55's and has a 8.5 twist barrel.

apparently those bullets are very limited, a little web searching has 40 grain bullets at 3750-2850 FPS and a quick calculation shows bullet RPM well over 300,000.

Is this rifle going to likely blow up 40 grain varmint bullets?

Thanks
Mark
AFWIW (which ain't much)...lol! I have considerable experience with the 20's. Over the years I've built about everyone of them a person can think of. I've had (4) .20BR's, (2) 20 PPC's, a 20/223WSSM (a real stupid move), a 20-22/250, and numerous smaller .20 cases. My opinion is don't own one with a twist faster than 9-twist. Barrels just don't last long with big capacity .20 cases pushing fast twists. My .20-22/250 with a 10 twist worked okay above 4500' elevation (trying to slow the rpm down with the 55 gr Berger)...but the bbl lasted only a 416 rd. Throat was gone. I did manage to kill a few PD's at over a 1000 yds, but it wasn't worth the effort.

My biggest .20 now is a .20 JI (Javelina Improved). For some reason the bbls seem to last longer (11-twist) than one would expect. It runs 40/39 gr bullets about 3950 fps and goes at least 2,000 rds.

Best of luck.

7315br
 
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You don't know what you'll be missing.

When ya start shooting the 20's, your chick will start looking at you with a sparkle. Your dog will quit barking, and your old truck will start running better. The squeaks will almost enjoy getting shot, and you'll almost always see it happen in your scope. :) jd
^^^ ALL OF THIS IS TRUE. Even if you dont get that rifle you need a .20 cal.
I have a 20PPC and a 20 Vartarg now. They are both very impressive but Im drawn to the little cases these days so I would prolly pick the vartarg over the ppc.
 
Yeah I’d pass on that particular combo. But no kidding, the 20’s are amazing performers. A 20 Prac is happiest with a 10” or 11” twist and shooting 32-40 grain bullets.
absolutely correct Thompson Center is one of the few commercial rifle builders who figured this out with their 1/10 twist 24 grain to 45 handles all perfectly.
 
Has anyone shot copper (Non-Toxic) from a 20P or similar?
Barnes shows a 26 grain in 20 cal



I am using the Barnes Varmint grenade in a 221 FB, 222, 223 AR-15. all 12 twist and they shoot OK, not nearly as good as 40 or 50 grain V-max.
 

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