20VT fast twist

[MFG_BOP]

Hi guys,
I'm in the process of building a 20VT, 24", 1X10 twist to use mainly with 40 gr plus bullets. My question is do you think if I eventually use lighter bullets, like 32gr z-max, it will make it to the target with that "fast" twist? I'm not a lazy person and I swear I looked up in the net for an answer without any success. TIA. Cheers

 

[pacificman]

I'm sure you know this already but depends on bullets used and speed. I think you will be fine as long as you don't push the bullets too much over 4000fps. I have a .17 Remington with a load which would push 25 grain bullets at 4200fps. Many of the Berger bullets would disintegrate before ever hitting target but the 25 grain v-max seemed to hold up real well. I have since burned the throat up in barrel with this load but have slowed things down and this barrel is now shooting itty bitty groups but at only 3400fps. I will keep shooting till groups open up and then will be time for new barrel. This is my experience anyway...hope it's helpful.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Well, you won't have to worry about sending any 40 grain bullets down range at 4,000 fps out of a 20VT, that's fer sure! I also shoot a 204R with 11-twist P/N barrel, and I can hotrod the 32's up beaucoup without any jacket disintigration, so I can't see any need to fret about heavy bullets coming apart in a 10-twist VT.

Just have to ask though, as I've been shooting my12-twist 20VT in the rat patch now for four years only using the 32's, why would you want to have lower velocity using the FB case shooting 40's and heavier bullets? If it's for the higher BC of the 40's, you'll not see the spectatular explosive terminal effects this neat little cartridge offers with the 32's, and with the slower velocity, your trajectory will not be as flat as with the 32's, further degrading what most build or purchase this caliber for.

Just sort of defeats the purpose of the small case 20VT, at least to me, and seems to beg for a 10-twist 20 Tac or 204R.

 

[MFG_BOP]

Guys, thanks for the answers. I wasn't totally clear in my initial post so my apologies. I will start making .20 cal 40 gr or heavier HPBT bullets to use in my upcoming 10 twist Vartarg at normal 40 gr speeds. What happens is I may occasionally shoot some 32 gr Zmax, but I am afraid that at normal 32 gr speeds in a 10 twist these bullets disintegrate.
I don't hunt and this rifle will be for paper shooting up to 300 m. Why don't I go with the PPC's? Hard question! I just want this challenge to turn a 20VT in a benchrest gun.
I like the idea that I will use between 18 or 19 gr of powder (500 grams give me around 410 shots), have a longer barrel life than a 222, wont have too much heat and be accurate as (I hope). Also, my barrel maker True-Flite from New Zealand doesn't produce 11 twist for the .20 cals.
Thanks again. Any input is appreciated. Regards. MFG

 

[DogBuster]

Although my 20VT is only a 12T...it has no problems with the 40 V max...my 20 PT is also a 12T...main diet is 40 V max...my most recent 20 cal chamber is the 20-222.....but is a 9T..why you ask ? Previous chamber was a 20 BR...had P-N whack it off & rechamber to the Duece-20 after 1200 rds...soon to be tested in the p/dog fields....I run the 40 V max in all three to keep life simple....
H322 in the VT.....H322 in the Duece-20....H4895 in the 20 PT...
All P-N tubes...Salvage s/shots........

;D