20 Tac Load Help

[NCVarhtr]

I have a couple of 20 Tac rifles that I like a lot...I've been using Benchmark Powder and I'm about out but I have a good supply of IMR 8208 XBR and I understand that it may be better than the Benchmark. I was hoping some of you would be nice enough to share some load suggestions for the 40 V-Max with 8208 or a similiar powder that is actually available...Thanks very much.....George

 

[CM21VE]

Vv n133 will work, also if you look around you can find benchmark for sale. I believe reloader 10x will work for the 20 tac as well.
The Xbr 8208 will work though.

 

[swd]

I can't help you with 8208, but if you come across 10X it works very well in the 20 Tac.

 

[lpreddick]

me too. i have a 20 TAC being built and have accumulated some bullets and rel 10x (widener's had some for 2-3 days). the small caliber club has a good bit of info on the 20 TAC but not a lot of discussion on this site...yet. 4198 seems to be the choice for the lighter bullets but i don't have any. i suspect LT 32 will work..have it. 8208 XBR might be a bit slow, but one way to find out... let me know how it shoots, esp the mv. hope to get my 20 TAC later this week.

 

[searcher]

I tried 8208XBR in mine but did not do well. Too slow I suspect. For my heavy bullets, I used 39 Sierra Blitz King at a moderate 3,528 f.p.s. using 22.7 grns. of LT32 (4) 5-shot groups averaged .467" in my 24" Hart barreled A/R. Smallest was .329" and used Federal Match A/R primers in lake City Brass.

Using the Lt32 with 32 Z-Maxes, got 3,825 f.p.s. into ..382"

Using 24.5 H322with 32 Z-Maxes, got 3,840 f.p.s. into .390"

For comparison, using h4198, I got 3,881 f.p.s with 32 Z-Maxes using 22.2 grns - resulted in .370"

ALL 100 YARD 5-SHOT GROUPS

 

[MrMajestic]

I use H4895 in my fire-forming loads for my .20-.223AI. So they are .20 Practicals(Tactical similar) with 39 gr, Sierra BK's. Fast, accurate and low single digit fps ES. I know this is not what you were asking but FYI.

 

[lpreddick]

i know i'v got it bad when i'm thinking about another gun project BEFORE i get the current project! my 20TAC is ready today and i'v wondered about the 20-223 AI since i have a 223 AI made after shooting a standard 223 and wondering if the AI version would shot any "better" or faster. it shoots small holes at velocities close to my 22-250 with less powder. does the AI 20 TAC add more speed to an already speed demon cartridge? any improvement to accuracy? how much more powder and what about barrel burning? the AI version i think might improve an existing cartridge is the 6x45 AI. my 6x45 is VERY accurate but a bit slow. first, going to get the 20 TAC today.

 

[searcher]

For all practical purposes, I think you will find the 223 AI won't do much (if any) better than your TAC 20. I'd thought about doing the same thing and after some research, it didn't make any sense unless one had a line on a great deal for another .22 barrel or something. Look at what you can get out of the 32 to 40 .20 cal bullets and compare with the 40 grn .22's and not much difference at all. For heavier bullets, I'd give the nod to the AI

 

[lpreddick]

your'e right. the 20 TAC is fast enough that ackleyizing it would offer little. i fireformed some brass with the cow method and measured the case. some taper is gone and with the 30 degree shoulder the case almost looks "ackley". i'm having a little problem in that the chamber neck is .234 and my redding bushing (not a titanium nitride one...one is on order) is .227. necking down after fireforming ,even with lube, is hard and the neck slightly crushes inward in that the neck diameter measures .225! loaded neck is .2295 which may be to much tension. i can use a neck expander to bring the neck to .227 and bullet seating is easy. i'm hoping the titanium nitride bushing will be smoother and not have to do all this extra sizing. appreciate any suggestions.

 

[MrMajestic]

My 28" .20-223AI pushes 39 gr. BK's to 4125 fps and 55 gr. to 3640 fps. Built the gun for the 55's and am more than satisfied. Less than 1/2 MOA with even the fire forming loads at 3975 with the 39's. Woodchucks hate it! Longest Chuck was 525 yards so far with the 55's however expansion seems iffy at that range. It went down but recovered and made it back to its hole. The 39's don't exit at 2-300 yards anyhow, good thing in rural areas.

 

[lpreddick]

Shot it yesterday!!! I bore sighted at 50 yds and first shot was on paper just a bit over poa. Load was 32 vmax with LT 32, 23 gr, seated .007 into the lands. Went to the 100 yd target and shot 3 more rounds. A single hole measuring .151in!!!! Talk about lightening striking the same spot twice...I had this same thing happen when shooting my 6x45 with 62 knights and N133. Shot the 32 vmax with LT 32, 23.2 and 23.4 and these open to 5/16 in. MV was 3804 fps. These cases had been fire formed with clays and cow, the rest were new cases. The 32s with N133 shot 1/2 in but load was light. 40 bergers with rel 10X printed 3/8 in at 3913 fps. This gun has potential. Have some 38 gr unmussigs on order and suspect they could out shoot the vmaxs. Now, reload the 32s and add a bit more LT 32...4000+ fps!

 

[lpreddick]

anybody tried accurate 2200 or 2015? reason: widener's has both in stock and i AM a sucker for trying different powders.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

i have tried Accurate 2200 in my 20-223AI, in my opinion it burns a little too fast for optimal use in the 223 based 20 caliber cases.

 

[ALBULLET]

IMR 8208 loads for 20TAC...I have a 11T and 12T...Both shoot .4 and better at 100y.
39ser. : 27g. 3900fps
26.8. 3860fps
35Berger. 27.5 3940fps
I also shoot the 40Bib. It is a very good custom .20cal bullet. Very accurate bullet. I have also tried H4895...N133... Benchmark... I have had great luck with IMR8208:
This information is with my powder, my barrel, my chrony. Please reduce and work up. The 20cal will build pressure quickly. Hope this helps.

Scotty Grimes

 

[Ohio1]

I've had great results in my 20TAC AR using 2520 with any 40gr bullet!

Steve