20 practical & 55gr. Bergers

[Tucker65]

I'm thinking about putting together a 20 practical to shoot the 55gr Bergers and was wondering if anyone has any experience with that particular load. I'm planning on using a 28" Bartlein gain twist barrel in 8 to 7-1/2 twist. Wondering what load some of you might be using and what kind of speeds I can expect out of it. It's just going to be a varmint / target rifle. It will personally be the second rifle that I'm actually doing all the machine work myself so it's a learning experience too.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

You won't need that fast of a twist, a 9 will easily stabilize the 55 berger. For powder I would recommend accurate 2520 and IMR 8208xbr. Most likely you will see speeds of around 3,300-3,400 fps max.

 

[B23]

I don't know how much stock you put in Berger's twist calculator but using 3400fps and the 55's the 1-9tw puts you on the low end of "marginal stability" even using a 1-8tw still only puts you on the high end of marginal stability.

 

[Tucker65]

I've heard people getting them to stabilize in 9's but I want to make sure they are not going to have problems that is why I'm looking at the 8 to 7-1/2 gain twist.

I have a bunch of Benchmark powder on hand, would that be a suitable powder for this cartridge.

John

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Honestly the 55 berger really isn't the best bullet for a 20 caliber in most instances. What little benefit you gain in BC you loose in velocity. The 39 sierra blitzking is a much better option, even though it's bc is less than the 55berger you can push it close to 4,000fps and it's much more destructive on small vermin.

 

[GrocMax]

Keep in mind while a zero freebore works great up to 40g and the 45g Hornady spire point, for the 55 Berger you're going to want some freebore.

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

I run 55 Bergers in a 1-9” twist, but it is chambered in .20-250. Running 3650-3700 is not a problem with mine, and it does great in the wind. The freebore difference between the 55’s and the lighter bullets in 32-39 grains is significant. If you crunch the numbers, it is one of the best varmint bullets in 20 caliber. As previously mentioned, the 32-39 grain bullets are better suited for the Practical. But, this is your build and there is no reason not to do something unique. I would definitely get a faster twist barrel than 1-9” for the cartridge you are looking at for 55’s. Nothing beats doing your own barrel work. Worst case you’re not happy, but you can have the freebore taken off of your reamer and set your barrel back 0.250”. Problem solved. Good luck!

 

[TAJ45]

I bought a bbl chambered in 20 BR, 9 tw. The original owner had same idea as me. That 9tw PN super match wasn't enough to get much under 3/4".
One bbl, one chambering, one story. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I know the guy that originally had that barrel, it shot great for him with the 55bergers and the 39 sierra blitzking. Ever think it might be the guy behind the trigger or reloading that makes the difference?

I bought a bbl chambered in 20 BR, 9 tw. The original owner had same idea as me. That 9tw PN super match wasn't enough to get much under 3/4".
One bbl, one chambering, one story. Of course, YMMV.

 

[TAJ45]

I know the guy that originally had that barrel, it shot great for him with the 55bergers and the 39 sierra blitzking. Ever think it might be the guy behind the trigger or reloading that makes the difference?

Absolutely and w/o a doubt re reloading, shooter etc. But.... I haven't shot it yet so only repeating his take on it and he was original owner. Maybe im confused or maybe you have this bbl mixed up w another situation?
Just sayin'

 

[barefooter56]

I'm thinking about putting together a 20 practical to shoot the 55gr Bergers and was wondering if anyone has any experience with that particular load. I'm planning on using a 28" Bartlein gain twist barrel in 8 to 7-1/2 twist. Wondering what load some of you might be using and what kind of speeds I can expect out of it. It's just going to be a varmint / target rifle. It will personally be the second rifle that I'm actually doing all the machine work myself so it's a learning experience too.

Tucker65,
When you use the BERGER TWIST RATE CALCULATOR you always need to enter the ALTITUDE(S) you will be shooting at . Figure the barrel twist rate you need on the lowest altitude. For your 20 Practical using our 55gr BT Varmint bullet I suggest getting the 1-7 barrel twist rate. If you need help on load data please contact us at 714-441-7202 from 8am to 4:30pm EASTERN time MON thru Fri.
Take care,

 

[Tucker65]

Tucker65,
When you use the BERGER TWIST RATE CALCULATOR you always need to enter the ALTITUDE(S) you will be shooting at . Figure the barrel twist rate you need on the lowest altitude. For your 20 Practical using our 55gr BT Varmint bullet I suggest getting the 1-7 barrel twist rate. If you need help on load data please contact us at 714-441-7202 from 8am to 4:30pm EASTERN time MON thru Fri.
Take care,

Thanks for the input. Using your calculator it seems that a 7-1/2 twist at sea level with a temperature of 30 degrees will be enough to stabilize them. I'm thinking I probably won't be doing much shooting at those temperatures though. I will be giving you a call to talk about load data though.

Thanks John

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Phil,

There have been a number of guys that have experienced problems running a 7 twist barrel and the 20 caliber 55 grain berger bullet. Many times if they run much velocity at all the bullets tend to go poof midair, I have even seen it happen with an 8.5 twist barrel. My question is will berger stand behind that recommendation if a customer uses the recommended berger barrel twist and experiences bullet failure? I don't mean any disrespect asking this question, the cost of a premium barrel along with gunsmith chamber work is expensive and so guys want to make sure they don't have to do it twice.

Tucker65,
When you use the BERGER TWIST RATE CALCULATOR you always need to enter the ALTITUDE(S) you will be shooting at . Figure the barrel twist rate you need on the lowest altitude. For your 20 Practical using our 55gr BT Varmint bullet I suggest getting the 1-7 barrel twist rate. If you need help on load data please contact us at 714-441-7202 from 8am to 4:30pm EASTERN time MON thru Fri.
Take care,

 

[EXTREME]

I'm thinking about putting together a 20 practical to shoot the 55gr Bergers and was wondering if anyone has any experience with that particular load. I'm planning on using a 28" Bartlein gain twist barrel in 8 to 7-1/2 twist. Wondering what load some of you might be using and what kind of speeds I can expect out of it. It's just going to be a varmint / target rifle. It will personally be the second rifle that I'm actually doing all the machine work myself so it's a learning experience too.

You will be fine with the Bartlein Barrel but 25" would likely be enough for the 20 Practical. The 55 Berger bullet will hold together great and do a good job to 500 yards, at 3200 + fps so don't get too hung up on speed. The 55 berger is not impressive on gophers but are great for coyotes at this velocity. The 39BK/40 V-Max will run modest pressures at 3600-36500 fps with H 4898 and IMR 8208 and really blow up gophers.
You will be fine with the Zero Freebore but will likely need to run single shot like I did with my Savage. The 10" twist Shillen barrel stabilized the bullets fine at 3000 feet altitude. Varget and RL 15 worked best, just off the lands, at about 3260 fps.

 

[B23]

Phil,

There have been a number of guys that have experienced problems running a 7 twist barrel and the 20 caliber 55 grain berger bullet. Many times if they run much velocity at all the bullets tend to go poof midair, I have even seen it happen with an 8.5 twist barrel. My question is will berger stand behind that recommendation if a customer uses the recommended berger barrel twist and experiences bullet failure? I don't mean any disrespect asking this question, the cost of a premium barrel along with gunsmith chamber work is expensive and so guys want to make sure they don't have to do it twice.

I'd sure like to know the answer to this as well because I have a 20-250 going together and I'm using a 26in. (Krieger) 1-8tw for the Berger 55's based solely on their recommendation that a 1-8tw was what I needed. Just a guess but I'm thinking velocity will be right around 3800-3800+ maybe.

 

[EXTREME]

I'd sure like to know the answer to this as well because I have a 20-250 going together and I'm using a 26in. (Krieger) 1-8tw for the Berger 55's based solely on their recommendation that a 1-8tw was what I needed. Just a guess but I'm thinking velocity will be right around 3800-3800+ maybe.

Berger's recommended 1-8 t was for the loads in a 204R that travel around 3200 fps Max and the best speed to be traveling for a coyote gun. You should have went with a 22-250 throated for a 90 Berger, in an 8" Twist, and aimed for 3200 + fps with H 1000 or Retumbo. Or even better a 22-6.5 x47 or 22 EXTREME on that case.

 

[B23]

EXTREME, I talked to Berger on the phone and told them I was doing a 20-250 build with nearly all of the shooting being done at an elevation between 500-2000ft and the 1-8tw is what they suggested.

I have a 22-6mm that the barrel is starting to get tired so it'll be getting a new 1-8tw barrel on it and when it gets its new barrel I'm going with either a 22-243 improved or I'm seriously thinking about going 22 Creedmoor, especially if the Alpha munitions 22 Creed brass turns out to be good stuff.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I'd be amazed if Berger did anything for you when you have problems with too fast of a barrel. Wouldn't put any eggs in that basket.

Aaron

 

[PAshooter20BR]

I run a 20x47 lapua with the 55 grain Berger in a 9 twist bartlien. It shoots sub inch at 300 yards and actually drilled a 1 inch 3 shot group at 550 yards this summer. It's been one of the most accurate rifles I ever worked with. I think the 55 Berger is a spectacular bullet. I previously ran 39 grain blitzkings in a 20BR and although is was very accurate I struggled with it shooting consistently at 500 yards. Groups were amazing, usually 1/2 to 3/4 Moa but the wind really seemed to cause group shifting. I have not had that trouble when I stepped up to a 55 grain.

 

[searcher]

Assuming you are running this in an A/R, I'd stick to the 39 Blitz King with an 1/8 twist tube. Wicked - but as others noted, gets a little "shifty" way out there. Going to 55 grains and asking it to do target work would quickly change my mind to a .223 Rem or .22 Nosler. That way, you have the option of running even heavier target bullets - and a much larger selection. You will also encounter a considerably faster level of throat erosion running the 55 in the .20. I've gone through a couple of .20 Practical barrels and I found that the 32 grain bullets are supreme for vaporizing withing two to three hundred yards, and use the 39's past that - out to 400 to 450 with great reliability. Past that is easily doable with the A/R due to the rapid follow-up - but it is best handled by a bigger cartridge. If you get a 7 1/2 or 7 tw. barrel and want to run the lighter .20 cal bullets, you will have to run them so slow to avoid blow-up that is wouldn't even be worth it. I'd opt for a .20 for running the 39's and perhaps a Nosler .22 for the heavy bullets or you could do everything you ask in the .22 Nosler alone. If a bolt gun - and wanting to run the 55's in .20 cal - I'd opt for bigger - such as 20 BR. Being able to do your own machine work is great!