LT-32 Loads for 20 VarTarg for 32, 39 & 40 grain bullets?

[TheCZKid]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a 20 VT rifle build. I've been looking at posts, and started compiling some potential loads for this caliber, so I can have components on hand when I can actually start testing... when it's actually built.

In looking at what appear to be the most popular bullets & weights, and corresponding powders. I've found some data for RE-7, AA2200, H4198, CFE BLK, but not much about LT-32 (which I recently purchased 5 pounds of to try in my 20 Practical).

This will be a sage rat gun, so I probably will keep my bullet weighs in the 32 to 40 grain range, and am also curious what recommended twist rate you suggest? I see both 1:11 and 1:12 mentioned, figure the 1:11 might be slightly better in the 40's and both for the 32's?

Any experience for LT-32 in say 32 Sierra BK or Vmax, 39 BK or 40 Vmax? and suggest best twist rate?

Also, I'm looking for a donor rifle in 221 FB or 17 FB, CZ or 700M, Model 7, Sako...?
Suggested barrel, any 20 Caliber blanks out there?

 

[jepp2]

I shoot 20 cals in 20 Practical, 20 Bobcat and 204 Ruger. I have 12T, 11T and 10T barrels. I've not had any issues with any bullets up to 40 gr. Probably go with 11T just to be safe. LT-32 is one of my favorite powders. Recently picked up some LT-30 but haven't tried it yet. Don't forget Berger bullets.

 

[TAJ45]

With velocity loss of less than 10fps twixt the 12 and 10tw, if available, l would go ten instead of the 11s l have qued up. There can be enough variation in actual button bbls where some 39/40 won't stabilize. There are many, many threads to verify that. Annnnd, you just never know when a dandy 45, 48 gr pill will come along. Unmussig is one bullet smith that comes to mind.
Have fun with it, no matter what.

 

[snert]

I had my choice between 10 and 11 twist in a 20VT. (Button Barrel). I took a ten. No issues with light bullets, and it seems to handle 40 grains easily. Im getting 3700+ with no pressure signs, 34 gr. Dogtown and AA2200. (20 grains) Shoots fine.

I like 10 twist because I know its at least 11 twist!

 

[bhoges]

I have 2 of them. Been shooting them for a long time. Funny I never did load development. I went to the field to sight it in for a hunt. After 5 shots went into the same hole I didnt see a reason to play with it. I use 32gr heads with 18.2 grs of H4198. It goes about 3650.

 

[CubCouper]

You have to test each 20 cal barrel for its own character... the numbers we publish here can fall into 'average' for the caliber. But in these small calibers, tiny differences can make for big variances in behavior. Case in point, I've got two 20VT rifles -- both shoot dots in the .1s with the same load (for me 17.9gr of Rel7 or 17.9 of H4198 with Sierra 39s). Here's the rub... the Krieger barrel (11T) is zipping at 3950fps, while the Wilson barrel (12T) is 3650fps. And both will pierce a primer at 18.0-18.1gr. The Krieger is in a BR rifle and actually won a 2Gun last summer -- amazing cartridge.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I shoot an 11 twist and tested LT-30 with Berger 35 gr Varmint. 18.2 gr gave me 3425 fps and grouped under .1. I didnt try LT-32 as I thought it a bit slow burning for this bullet weight. I took out a crow wednesday @ 200 with it. Also bagged 2 groundhogs. YMMV

 

[TheCZKid]

I'm happy to say I found a 20 VT rifle from someone on this site, sent payment and next week it'll be on the way to my ffl.
I'll probably only shoot either 32 or up to 35 grain bullets, at first 32 Vmax (I have some). My load will be for those.
I see the main powders that keep being mentioned for this load is RE-7 and H4198 (both about 18.5 grains too), and I don't have either of those on hand, and haven't seen them for sale during the last month... anyone see some, or have some for sale, please message me!

I do have AA2200, which seems to be another favorite for both accuracy and speed.
I've got in stock 8208, CFE BKL, H335 and TAC, curious if anyone has had good accuracy and speed for any of these powders?

And, in the 32 grain bullets, I probably will have easiest chance of getting Vmax or Nosler Ballistic Tip (since I'm in Bend, OR close to Nosler).
My main target will be sage rats, so impact and acrobatics are the goal! Any experience comparing the Hornady Vmax to Nosler Ballistic Tips in 32 gr?

 

[SeabeeKen]

Sierra 32 gr BK​	N-120 17.2 gr​	1​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3712M​	0.626​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	BLK 18.5 gr​	2​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3750M​	0.422​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	A-5744 18.0 gr​	3​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3725M​	0.061​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	H-4198 18.3 gr​	4​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3832M​	0.491​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	A-1680 18.0 gr​	5​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3742M​	0.323​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	RL-7 18.5 gr​	6​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3735M​	0.441​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	RL-7 18.8 gr​	7​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3750M​	0.475​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	RL-10X 19.5 gr​	8​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3612M​	0.483​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	LT-30 18.5 gr​	9​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3722M​	0.641​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	A-2200 19.8 gr​	10​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3758M​	0.572​
Sierra 32 gr BK​	H-322 20.5​	11​	​	​	​	​	BR​	1.927​	​	3534​	​

 

[SeabeeKen]

Listed above were powders I tested and these loads were quite spicy and I recommend backing off at least 10% to start. Group size noted at right side of the spreadsheet. The above loads were the best loads of the powder tests I did and thought Id have a shoot off between them. Accurate 5744 was tops with the Sierra. After testing the Berger 35 gr I shelved the Sierra bullets. There was just no comparison between them. I did buy some Berger 40 gr Varmint but have yet to shoot them since the 35 gr is shooting under .1". Barrel is a 24", 11T, Pac-Nor and its a shooter!
I find the Berger devastating on groundhogs and often don't exit. Best of luck with the new rifle and keep us posted on your results.