Issue with the 20 tactical

[Matt_3479]

I purchased a rifle used late last year. The rifle was a semi custom 20 tactical by an unknown smith with unknown components but it looked to be in good shape so I took a chance. I've narrowed it down to 2 smiths as it came from a Mennonite and they only use one of 2 smiths. These two smiths use krieger or bartlein primarily. The rifle is a Remington 700 s/a, with a Remington vls laminate stock that has been bedded, fluted bolt, I installed a jewel trigger. It came with a sightron sII 6.5-20x44mm target dot and 200 pieces of Dakota brass.

I began with loading 39gr blitzkings with benchmark, reloader 10X and got excellent results once but after that even with the same loads it's unrepeatable. I have since switched scopes, rings and bases and will try again soon

 

[pacificman]

For consistency I would find a load using the OCW test. I have found by using this method my groups
seem to shoot the same POI during weather changes or even when changing different lots of powder.
I think it would be a good test to consider for sure.

 

[nmkid]

Did you give it a good, through cleaning? Remove all copper and carbon and start with a completely clean bore. Also, H-335 has proven a winner in my .20 Practical. Might give it a try.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I second the cleaning suggestion. Also If you have any Accurate 2520 powder to use with your 39 sierra bullets I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Matt_3479]

Thanks. I gave it an extremely deep/thorough cleaning when I purchased the rifle, and only shot 30ish rounds for initial load development with best group being in .2's to worst around .75 and average around .4. And then 2nd time out groups went around .8-1.5" groups. Just seemed a little wild to me.

Like I mentioned, I tighned base again, swapped rings, new scope. I'll give it another clean, a once over, retighen action screws and start again.

 

[Matt_3479]

It got me worried cause like I said I took a little bit of a chance with this rifle but with initial firing it looked like it was going be a real shooter.

 

[dsandfort]

I had a similar situation with a VarTarg using Lapua brass. The necks were a bit too thick. I turned a couple thousands off and my groups tightened up and became very consistent.
I recall that Dakota brass is made by Lapua. Perhaps you have a similar situation.
My TAC20 really likes H322 and 32gr V/Z-Max. (I picked up a pile of Z-Max at a ridiculous price, not because I like zombie green ).

 

[Matt_3479]

I had a similar situation with a VarTarg using Lapua brass. The necks were a bit too thick. I turned a couple thousands off and my groups tightened up and became very consistent.
I recall that Dakota brass is made by Lapua. Perhaps you have a similar situation.
My TAC20 really likes H322 and 32gr V/Z-Max. (I picked up a pile of Z-Max at a ridiculous price, not because I like zombie green ).

I'd give it a shot but I've never turned necks before. I'm about to try 32gr vmax, and 35gr Bergers. Ideally I'd like to be able to shoot the 35 Bergers and 39 sierraS

 

[Tim s]

Is this after only a second, single session? Similar conditions? Assume you're shooting over flags?
Good shooting rifles simply do not instantly stop shooting. Always possible you've missed metal fouling or dinged the crown.

 

[GAnderson]

I had a similar situation with a VarTarg using Lapua brass. The necks were a bit too thick. I turned a couple thousands off and my groups tightened up and became very consistent.
I recall that Dakota brass is made by Lapua. Perhaps you have a similar situation.
My TAC20 really likes H322 and 32gr V/Z-Max. (I picked up a pile of Z-Max at a ridiculous price, not because I like zombie green ).

I have a .232 neck 20 Tactical and with the Dakota brass it has to be neck turned, so "dsandfort" may be onto something. Be sure your brass is not too long also.

Gene

 

[Matt_3479]

Is this after only a second, single session? Similar conditions? Assume you're shooting over flags?
Good shooting rifles simply do not instantly stop shooting. Always possible you've missed metal fouling or dinged the crown.

3 sessions total. All 3 were similar conditions and 2 out of the three had flags. I’ve looked over the rifle again. I had a similar situation with a full custom that had a manufactures defect in the rings so I’m hoping it something like that. I’m hoping next session is different

 

[Matt_3479]

I have a .232 neck 20 Tactical and with the Dakota brass it has to be neck turned, so "dsandfort" may be onto something. Be sure your brass is not too long also.

Gene

Does anyone have a good load with benchmark or 10x and 39gr blitzkings? Ill load them up and try again? Do you normally shoot at “saami” specs load or .20 thou off lands. I need to get a gunsmith the thread the end of a case for my Hornady OAL gauge

 

[GAnderson]

Matt, you probably need to find out what neck diameter your chamber is to determine if you need to turn necks. I have only tried 10X in a 204 and it shot really well at 24.8gr...the Tactical should take less than that but I haven't a clue as to where to start with it. In all honesty, 27.0 to 27.2gr of Accurate 2520 with the Sierra 39gr is hands down the best load out there in the 20 Tactical. And yes, I have found that most of my 20cals shoot better with a little jump...I would start at .020 off lands.

Gene

 

[pwdrbrn]

Matt, you probably need to find out what neck diameter your chamber is to determine if you need to turn necks. I have only tried 10X in a 204 and it shot really well at 24.8gr...the Tactical should take less than that but I haven't a clue as to where to start with it. In all honesty, 27.0 to 27.2gr of Accurate 2520 with the Sierra 39gr is hands down the best load out there in the 20 Tactical. And yes, I have found that most of my 20cals shoot better with a little jump...I would start at .020 off lands.
Matt, I use benchmark 24.3, 7.5 rem., 39 sie. 12 tw. , and it works very well. Fps unknown, sorry, Tom.
Gene

Does anyone have a good load with benchmark or 10x and 39gr blitzkings? Ill load them up and try again? Do you normally shoot at “saami” specs load or .20 thou off lands. I need to get a gunsmith the thread the end of a case for my Hornady OAL gauge

 

[fredo]

Thanks. I gave it an extremely deep/thorough cleaning when I purchased the rifle, and only shot 30ish rounds for initial load development with best group being in .2's to worst around .75 and average around .4. And then 2nd time out groups went around .8-1.5" groups. Just seemed a little wild to me.

Like I mentioned, I tighned base again, swapped rings, new scope. I'll give it another clean, a once over, retighen action screws and start again.

Maybe that barrel just wants to be clean to shoot?

Before ya go chasing internet pet loads, try starting from scratch with a clean barrel again. It shot well once, so rinse & repeat to see what happens...

Regarding neck dimensions, measuring loaded vs. fired cases should indicate if you've got an neck clearance issue...

As for powder, you're on the right track. 10x performs great, but it's sensitive and burns dirty as heck. I quickly moved to Benchmark and H322 and found happiness with both. Might could be that 10x just fouled ya out?

Good luck!

 

[chuckshooter]

I agree with what most are saying. I tried 10x and got inconsistent results. I had good results with benchmark, but great results with 322. I wanted 10x to shoot because I have a lot of that powder on hand. now I need to buy more 322

 

[gtl1946]

One of the above is very probably the answer but I had a local “gunsmith “ chamber a barrel for me and during my first powder test found a couple of charges grouped at 1/4” or less. I was happy that I had my first “bench gun”. When I bracketed the very best loads after that I never even came close to the best load . It must be me was my thought!! I tried everything for over a year. I found another gunsmith nearby and had him build me a rifle and then found out I had,all of a sudden, learned how to shoot. The next Rifle turned out the same- I finally knew how to shoot! I took the original rifle to that gunsmith,and asked him if he would take it apart and see if he could find anything wrong. I got a phone call a week later. The rifle was done and he would show me what was wrong. The shank was tapered and the threads looked like they were cut with a chisel.Obviously he had to cut that shank off and rechamber and rethread . It now shoots and repeatedly. I trusted the wrong man. Try the other things first but....... !

 

[Matt_3479]

Maybe that barrel just wants to be clean to shoot?

Before ya go chasing internet pet loads, try starting from scratch with a clean barrel again. It shot well once, so rinse & repeat to see what happens...

Regarding neck dimensions, measuring loaded vs. fired cases should indicate if you've got an neck clearance issue...

As for powder, you're on the right track. 10x performs great, but it's sensitive and burns dirty as heck. I quickly moved to Benchmark and H322 and found happiness with both. Might could be that 10x just fouled ya out?

Good luck!

Went back through my notes and it shot really well with 8208 xbr not benchmark.

Might sound stupid but what should I be looking for as far as neck clearance? Like a full length sized case, loaded measures out too .228-.229 and the fired measures out too .2305-.2315

 

[fourpower]

I purchased a rifle used late last year. The rifle was a semi custom 20 tactical by an unknown smith with unknown components but it looked to be in good shape so I took a chance. I've narrowed it down to 2 smiths as it came from a Mennonite and they only use one of 2 smiths. These two smiths use krieger or bartlein primarily. The rifle is a Remington 700 s/a, with a Remington vls laminate stock that has been bedded, fluted bolt, I installed a jewel trigger. It came with a sightron sII 6.5-20x44mm target dot and 200 pieces of Dakota brass.

I began with loading 39gr blitzkings with benchmark, reloader 10X and got excellent results once but after that even with the same loads it's unrepeatable. I have since switched scopes, rings and bases and will try again soon

I got a brand new cooper in 20 tact. it has a 26in barrel. it is a shooting machine but only with 32gr bullets. I have killed a ton of sage rats with it and it is now my go to coyote gun. I have taken them out to 500 yds but love it at around 200yds and they never know what hit them! I have tried lots of loads but now just stay with h-335 and 32gr bullets @ 3950fps. this gun doesn't like any bullets over 32grs!

 

[chuckshooter]

Went back through my notes and it shot really well with 8208 xbr not benchmark.

Might sound stupid but what should I be looking for as far as neck clearance? Like a full length sized case, loaded measures out too .228-.229 and the fired measures out too .2305-.2315

the most popular reamer print shows .233 neck, can you slip a bullet into the fired case by hand? if so, then you have enough clearance..a tight neck can show up in the form of pressure. do you have signs of pressure? I have finished load development of both my 20tac's and I can tell you, there was maybe one load with benchmark that shot ok, but with 322 all the loads shot great and four shot under 1/2 in. I am sold on 322 for my 20tac's good luck