20VT Suggestion

[ken158]

I have a Cooper and use 18.0 up to 18.6 of H4198. Bolt lift gets sticky and primers get flat at the 18.6 in hot weather. Always use 32 grain Hornady or Sierra and reserve 39/40 grain bullets for my 20 Tac.

 

[6BRAIman]

Got a question for the 20VT guys. Once I got the brass fire formed I like to start out doing a powder test to see where it likes to be on powder, so I did the Satterlee test with H4198 starting at 17.9 to 18.9 and can’t seem to find a node where really likes it. I’ve done this test many times but not with this small of a case but usually can find a couple nodes where it really likes the powder charge. This was done with a Hornady 32gr z-max with all bullets seated just shy of touching. It may not like H4198 and that’s what it’s telling me. Any suggestions?
17.9-3605
18.0-3562
18.1-3596
18.2-3662
18.3-3640
18.4-3691
18.5-3712
18.6-3734
18.7-3763
18.8-3779
18.9-3847
In doing this test on every caliber I’ve messed with there will be 2 to 3 nodes (depending on how broad a powder range) that the velocity flattens out and is very consistent.

 

[tjtjwdad]

I can't say I've tried this method but the one thing I would make sure of is;
- your ammunition loading components have to be real consistent with each other, and;
- your ammunition loading techniques have to be real consistent with each round.

A fraction of a grain with a case as small as a 20VT makes a big difference as compared to larger cases.

In the end I look for grouping vice S/D and velocity because a slow hit is far better than a fast miss.

 

[22vartarg]

Got a question for the 20VT guys. Once I got the brass fire formed I like to start out doing a powder test to see where it likes to be on powder, so I did the Satterlee test with H4198 starting at 17.9 to 18.9 and can’t seem to find a node where really likes it. I’ve done this test many times but not with this small of a case but usually can find a couple nodes where it really likes the powder charge. This was done with a Hornady 32gr z-max with all bullets seated just shy of touching.

What is your OAL of your ammo?

 

[6BRAIman]

OAL 1.857

 

[Rick300]

Mine likes 18.3 at .020 off

 

[bridgeport]

Got a question for the 20VT guys. Once I got the brass fire formed I like to start out doing a powder test to see where it likes to be on powder, so I did the Satterlee test with H4198 starting at 17.9 to 18.9 and can’t seem to find a node where really likes it. I’ve done this test many times but not with this small of a case but usually can find a couple nodes where it really likes the powder charge. This was done with a Hornady 32gr z-max with all bullets seated just shy of touching. It may not like H4198 and that’s what it’s telling me. Any suggestions?
17.9-3605
18.0-3562
18.1-3596
18.2-3662
18.3-3640
18.4-3691
18.5-3712
18.6-3734
18.7-3763
18.8-3779
18.9-3847
In doing this test on every caliber I’ve messed with there will be 2 to 3 nodes (depending on how broad a powder range) that the velocity flattens out and is very consistent.

What primer? I found my .20 VT rifles (all three chambered by me using the same reamer) loaded with 18.3 gr of H4198 and a sierra 32gr bullet (after final forming) works extremely well with a Winchester Small rifle primer, where when using a BR-4 primer, groups open up just a bit, though enough to make a difference.

 

[JSH]

I have been accused of wearing out a barrel before I ever got settled on a load………..
I chased numbers around a fair bit. Now when it groups to my satisfaction on a regular basis, I leave it alone. Burned up a lot of time when I actually had some good loads.

I saw similar results with my 22BR and 17FB, no flat spots, just kept climbing. I picked a speed and tinkered with that. I see nothing in that ladder that would point to a primer change.
4198 is a pita in a 17, but the work is well worth it on paper. I would play with it more if I didn’t have a good supply of AA2200.

 

[6BRAIman]

CCI 400 primers

 

[Rick300]

450's here. Only because I'm trying to reduce the different kinds of primers on hand. 400's worked fine.

 

[22vartarg]

I run mine at 1.855 with H4198 and Sierra 32gr BK in two different rifles and get outstanding accuracy with 18.0 gr. and Remington 7 1/2.

 

[bridgeport]

CCI 400 primers

For whatever reason, the Winchester small rifle primer was giving me better results than the CCI BR-4's. I know availability is difficult these days, but if you have or can get some different primers, it is always worth a try to see how your load reacts using them. Some might say that is unnecessary, but testing and analyzing the results is the name of the game. It is my experience that primers make a difference.
Regards, B

 

[ken158]

Got a question for the 20VT guys. Once I got the brass fire formed I like to start out doing a powder test to see where it likes to be on powder, so I did the Satterlee test with H4198 starting at 17.9 to 18.9 and can’t seem to find a node where really likes it. I’ve done this test many times but not with this small of a case but usually can find a couple nodes where it really likes the powder charge. This was done with a Hornady 32gr z-max with all bullets seated just shy of touching. It may not like H4198 and that’s what it’s telling me. Any suggestions?
17.9-3605
18.0-3562
18.1-3596
18.2-3662
18.3-3640
18.4-3691
18.5-3712
18.6-3734
18.7-3763
18.8-3779
18.9-3847
In doing this test on every caliber I’ve messed with there will be 2 to 3 nodes (depending on how broad a powder range) that the velocity flattens out and is very consistent.

Looking at your test gives me the thought that you have a slow barrel. I shoot a 20VT Cooper with a 24” barrel and get 3725 fps with 18.0 of H4198 and a Remington 7 1/2 primer. The next best primer was the WSR, then the 205, the CCI 400 tied with the 205M with the largest groups. Did not try CCI 450 or BR4 but no interest now since my gun shoots in the .2’s when conditions are good.

 

[6BRAIman]

What bullet do you shoot?

 

[L.Sherm]

When I first started shooting 20VT I found 18.3 of H4198 with a 7.5 primer and 34 gr v- nitemares was a good load right in the neighborhood of 3700fps in 3 of them.
That being said I switched over to AA2200 got little more speed just as good of accuracy but I have 7 rifles that shoot the 7.5's and AA2200.
4- 17 Badgers, 2-20VT'S and 1-20SCC

 

[Hotshot]

When I first started shooting 20VT I found 18.3 of H4198 with a 7.5 primer and 34 gr v- nitemares was a good load right in the neighborhood of 3700fps in 3 of them.
That being said I switched over to AA2200 got little more speed just as good of accuracy but I have 7 rifles that shoot the 7.5's and AA2200.
4- 17 Badgers, 2-20VT'S and 1-20SCC

Sherm, will you adopt me?

 

[L.Sherm]

Sherm, will you adopt me?

LMAO sorry I have a grandson.
Actually I should say I have 3-17 Badgers my grandson has 1. I built him one when he was 9 or 10 for Christmas,
but I load his ammo.

 

[RegionRat]

@6BRAIman Sometimes, we get an easy answer, sometimes we don't.
I'm not a big fan of the method if the velocity doesn't also come with shot fall at distance.
But here is your data plotted out in case that helps you visualize the results.
Good Luck and in for the range report.

 

[6BRAIman]

I found some CFE BLK and will try it soon. For those of you that use it where should I start?

 

[JSH]

It was windy today it if Iwait for the wind to quit on a day off may not make any progress.
I started with 250 cases, 50 of which were primed. Sized the brass and put a couple of loads together with AA2200, three different bullets 32-34 grain.
With the wind,12-15 mph, I wasn’t unhappy with the groups. What numbers I got were kinda ugly.
I am going to anneal them. May be work hardened, it’s RP brass.
Have not decided but I may load up some with a case full of 4198 and see what that does.

One thing I will throw out as there seems to be some interest in 17’s and 20’s. If you need a good little powder funnel, get them at the Dr office. Those gadgets they snap on the light to look in your orifices, there are two sizes at least, 17 and 20 lol.