20 Tac for Berger 55’s

[FFEMT]

I sent a trued Remington 40XBR, an 8 twist Lilja Sporter barrel, and a Jewell Trigger to Jon Beanland to build a 20 Tactical. He is using a JGS reamer with ~.045 freebore. This is being built specifically for the Berger 55’s. I have a McMillan hunter stock it will be bedded into. I have no idea of any advantages this gun would have over a 223 shooting a comparable bullet, but I just wanted something new to play with so this is the start of an unknown journey. Anyone built something similar and if so how are you doing with it??? Thanx, Bob

 

[Skunce]

I sent a trued Remington 40XBR, an 8 twist Lilja Sporter barrel, and a Jewell Trigger to John Beanland to build a 20 Tactical. He is using a JGS reamer with ~.045 freebore. This is being built specifically for the Berger 55’s. I have a McMillan hunter stock it will be bedded into. I have no idea of any advantages this gun would have over a 223 shooting a comparable bullet, but I just wanted something new to play with so this is the start of an unknown journey. Anyone built something similar and if so how are you doing with it??? Thanx, Bob

I have a 20 Practical .050" free bore with an 8 twist 28" Lilja that I just finished. I've shot a few 55 grain Berbers through it and it shoots them very well with RL17 powder. So far I haven't had very good grouping with any 39-40 grain bullets. The speed with the 55s has been much better than I expected though. The Berger manual has 204 Ruger data for the 55 that I used to get started.

 

[FFEMT]

Skunce, that’s both “good” news and “not to surprised” news. I was hoping to get away with shooting a few of the lighter weight bullets, but questioned the twist at being a little to fast for them or to much throat. Have you actually chronoed the 55’s and are you jumping or into the lands. Thanx, Bob

 

[Skunce]

I got the best results with the 55's jammed .010". I'm disappointed so far with the 40's, but I need to work with it a little more yet. I can easily reach the lands with the 40's, so the throat length isn't the problem for me.

 

[FFEMT]

Skunce, thank you for the replies and message..... Bob.

 

[Jdne5b]

what kind of speeds are you seeing with 55's in the tac?

 

[FFEMT]

Jdne5b, I do not have a 20Tac yet, I do have the parts in and ready for the build though. I have no hardcore expectations of this other than providing a little opportunity for fun, gaining a little knowledge and eventually taking a dog or two. If it does well at the bench, that’ll be a bonus. Bob

 

[Hoodoo]

I got the best results with the 55's jammed .010". I'm disappointed so far with the 40's, but I need to work with it a little more yet. I can easily reach the lands with the 40's, so the throat length isn't the problem for me.

I'm sure the 1:8 twist is just to fast for those bullets.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I have a 20-223ai (with .040 freebore) that I chambered recently for shooting both the heavy bullets such as the 55 berger and a test 48 grain hprbt as well as the 39 sierra blitzking. I used a 9 twist Pacnor 3 Groove and it works excellent for stabilizing the heavies without over spinning the 39 grain bullets as long as I keep the velocities reasonable(well under 3,900 fps) I was using accurate 2520 powder with both the heavy bullets as welll as the 39 sierra and both produced sub 1/2" groups right out of the gate.