Any interest in heavy 20 cal bullets?

[texote]

I emailed Sierra bullets and hornady, but have only recieved a response from Sierra.

I asked if they have considered making a heavy 20 cal to compete with the 55 gr bergers and this is what he said:

"Yes, we have but it was a while back.

The weight range we considered was 45 – 55 grains but we didn’t find the interest then. Has something changed? With no factory guns twisted tight enough to handle this longer bullet we felt like there is a market but a very small one. Too small for us at that point at least but …. what are you big bullet 20 cal guys looking for in a bullet? And …. how many shooters are there just like you? Those are the questions I get asked when I bring up a new bullet. Sometimes those are difficult questions to answer truthfully and still be convincing. So that is where we are right now. We do appreciate your input and if you have any info that might help I’m all ears. Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you want in the way of a bullet. We do have a R&D meeting coming up soon and I’ll bring up the long heavy 20s again and we’ll see where they go. - Rich"

Rich Machholz

Ballistic Technician

I feel if more people start emailing them showing them interest, that may incline them to really consider it. As popular as the 50 and 55 gr bergers are, I dont see why the sierras wouldnt be.




Here is an update from an email I recieved this morning from Richard (3/07/13)

I think he is on to something but I have gotten requests for a 55 grain BlitzKing which would be VERY long, perhaps too long for even a 1-8”. I honestly think a 45 -50 grain BlitzKing that will work in a 1-9” or even a 10” twist would be our best bet from the sales standpoint but a best case scenario would be two bullets a 45 grain BlitzKing and a 53-55 grain MatchKing HP BT. We’ll have to wait and see but that is what I’m seeing at this point. What do you think?

Rich

 

[JORTZ]

I've personally emailed them for the same question about a month ago. So we will see what might happen but with the madness going on right now its not going to happen any time soon.

 

[texote]

Yea I figured if we could get a bunch of fellow members and friend s to email them it may incline them to take us seriously.

I don't see why not, Berger seems to have success with theirs

 

[DogBuster]

I have three 20 cal rifles in the stable...

20 VT 12 twist..20 PT 12 twist...20 BR 9 twist...

all these shoot the 40 V max...the BR shoots 'em purty fast....

What I would like to see is a 50 or 55 gr Hornady V max....

Or of course maybe a 50 gr 20 cal from Nosler or Sierra..

My main use would be LR p/dogs with explosive hits....

 

[coonhunter70]

I emailed Sierra a few days ago about the same thing and here was my response:


Chris,

Thank you for your email.

I personally was unaware of Berger dropping the 50 grain 20 caliber bullets. If they are keeping the 55 grain 20 cals you fast twist 20 cal guys still have one bullet at least. We have discussed adding a 45 – 55 grain bullet to our 20 caliber lineup but Sales hasn’t been able to justify the expense. With no factory guns twisted tight enough to use a long bullet like that the market is pretty slim. Of course, right now we are so busy we can’t consider a new bullet but we will be having an R&D meeting soon and I’ll bring it up again. This time I do have some handmade 53 grain samples for Show and Tell. So, don’t give up but don’t hold your breath either for this is a 50/50 proposition at best.

Stay in touch and I’ll try to keep you in the loop.

We certainly appreciate your input and especially the time you have given us.

Thanks again

Rich

 

[texote]

So youre saying theres a chance.. haha

 

[GrocMax]

I would love to see a true varmint slug in the 45g range with a little higher BC than the 39-40g.

 

[Tommie]

So youre saying theres a chance.. haha

Princess Bride. Funny!

My personal take on Sierra: About 20 years ago I had several phone discussions with "the people" at Sierra regarding a .17 caliber bullet. The final conversation ended with "they'll be out by the end of the year". Guess I should have asked which year...

If any major bullet company is willing to stick their neck out, it's Hornady.

Tom

 

[texote]

Ya I also emailed Hornady but they've yet to get back to me. I'm sure right now isn't the best time for any new bullet development

 

[rich44]

A 55gr Amax would really be nice

 

[Tommie]

Ya I also emailed Hornady but they've yet to get back to me. I'm sure right now isn't the best time for any new bullet development

+1

 

[texote]

A 55gr Amax would really be nice

That's what I was thinking

 

[xswanted]

I love the 50gr Bergers!

Wish they would have kept them going.

I'd be REALLY exicted about a 50gr SMK!

 

[JASmith]

While we're waiting for the major companies to offer heavier bullets. We can get them from places like Black Hole Bullets (blackholebullets@gmail.com).

Blaine sent me some very nice Poly Tip 55 grainers (Think AMAX!) and 60 gr BTHP. They have interesting looking rebated boattails too.

Am looking forward to trying them out!

 

[texote]

Can you run them out of a 1:9 twist?

How much for how many?

 

[rich44]

Yes I have some of Blaine's 55 Lexan tipped bullets headed my way can't wait to try them I would like to here about the 60gr bthp when you shoot them

 

[texote]

Everyone who is interested, should email Sierra and tell them what they would like to see in a bullet!! This is what i received today from Richard

"I don’t want to spread false hope.

This could get nixed in the first meeting or the last meeting but it might get full support and move right into production.

Thanks for the Berger update. I had visited their web site and that is what I saw also.

Like I said earlier, I don’t want to spread false hope. So don’t make any promises I can’t keep …… Okay! But do tell the serious ones to email me with what they’d like to see so I can get a file built and have an idea of what would give us the best chance of survival in this small but tough market.

Yes, I’d like a few of the 50 grain Bergers to look at. I am curious as to why they were discontinued and the 55 survived. It’s all you long range guys fault I bet. J



Thanks for your interest and help. We are very appreciative of our customers and the time they take to tell us what they would like to see us build.

Rich"

Rich Machholz

Ballistic Technician

NRA Life Member
1400 W. Henry St. Sedalia, MO 65301

Questions? Call us toll free 800-223-8799

 

[JASmith]

Can you run them out of a 1:9 twist?

How much for how many?

I would check with Blaine for more definitive answers.

He does indicate that the 55 gr Poly-Tip should work with the 1-8 twist barrel I have. He likes to send batches of 100 and the prices are reasonable.

Should you and he concur that a 1-9 twist is a stretch, see what he might be able to come up with that should work.

 

[JASmith]

Yes I have some of Blaine's 55 Lexan tipped bullets headed my way can't wait to try them I would like to here about the 60gr bthp when you shoot them

I may be able to seat the 55gr Lexan tipped bullets with the standard Hornady seating plug because the ogive has a somewhat smaller radius than the 60 gr HPBT. The plug is optimized for the VMAX apparently and does a number on the noses of the 55gr Bergers. I hope to try seating a couple this week-end.

I have ordered seater plugs customized to the bullets but it will be some time before they arrive. I thought about using valve-grinding compound in a DIY exercise but concluded that I would reshape the bullet before getting significant progress in the plug...

 

[JASmith]

We should encourage Blaine Leisy to make more of his 55 grain Poly-Tip Rebated Boat Tail bullets:

He can be reached at blackholebullets@gmail.com but remember your rifle should be an 8-Twist or better...