Reaming.... Savage VLP 204... into 20-250 AI...?

[daniel brothers]

I have a PTG Reamer for a 20-250AI... which I love in my 8 twist Brux barrel shooting 55 gr Bergers.... BUT.... I'm wondering what would happen if I had my Smith reamed out my Savage VLP, 204, 26", 12 twist barrel with it.

Any guesses what might be the best or maximum size bullet a 12 twist might be... and what kind of crazy speeds....?

Thanks....Dan

 

[daniel brothers]

I did a little researching about it and found out that Dave Affleck has been playing with this combo for awhile.

 

[ohnomrbillk]

Most 12 twist guns run 38gr and lower just fine

Many 12 twist guns will run the 39gr Sierra Blitz King

Several of the faster 20s can push the 40gr Hornady and Nosler Bullets

I suspect you will be fine with 40gr pills

If your reamer is throated for those 55gr Bergers, it will have a very long throat, aka too much free bore. Your accuracy may suffer

That said, Weatherby has used excess free bore for years to allow for a cushion with their super high pressures.

With that in mind, I suspect you will find your bullets coming apart before you reach the pressure limits of the chamber.

 

[daniel brothers]

ohnomrbillk .... that is VERY helpful information... especially the free bore stuff.... that's what I need... the Pro- Con stuff.... thanks so much...Dan

 

[ohnomrbillk]

If you are not going to shoot the 204 anymore, I'd consider it.

What action is your 20-250 AI on? Another savage?

Savage is easy money with only a bolt head and barrel away from caliber changes.

With a little experimenting, I bet you could come up with a suitable load for the 40gr tipped bullets that would be a fire form load from virgin 22-250 brass.

This could be your varmint barrel. You would care a little less if it got too hot if the prairie dogs were trying to charge you.

I'd keep buying new brass and forming it in the 12 twist until the barrel gave up.

You would then have a lifetime supply of formed brass for your 8 twist rifle, and you had a lot of fun getting there.

This idea I'm enabling you with is precisely the reason I get myself in trouble. Consider yourself warned.

 

[daniel brothers]

Consider yourself warned.....LOL.... LOL


My 20-250 AI 8 twist Brux barrel is now on a savage 12, lefty action.

This savage 12 204 12 twist is also a lefty... but I don't shoot it much at all... but would like too.

It seems like brass last forever in my 8 twist, but I do like the idea of using the 12 twist while Pdogging.

My thoughts on reaming out the 12 twist was for the purpose of making a HOT Fast smaller grain bullet shooter.

I love the idea of swapping barrels, but haven't done it yet.

I built the 8 twist for the purpose of shooting the 55's for long range coyotes... and I love it so far... and it made me start brain storming about reaming out the 12 twist so that I might start using it as well.

 

[ohnomrbillk]

Both model 12 actions.

Both large shank?

If so, I'd make a switch barrel rifle. Always in 20-250 AI, but with 2 twist options.

Since you would then have a extra model 12 with a 223 boltface, no barrel, and maybe some 204 Ruger brass, let me introduce you to the 17-204 wildcat

;D

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Problem is that the 40gr and under bullets won't handle the full potential speed that the 20-250 AI can push them. You start getting a hot barrel and are shooting 39-40gr thin skinned varmint bullets well over 4000 fps...watch out. Might have molten metal in your bore.

Of course you could throttle down the 20-250, but then there's really no rhyme or reason to change it from a 204 Ruger. Just my opinion.

 

[daniel brothers]

They are both short actions.

My first build... the 8 twist... started out from a factory 223 vlp, and I still have the barrel and bolt face.

After I started shooting a 204 in my CZ, I never shot the 223 vlp again... so decided to use that action for my 8 twist 20-250 AI.

I also had a 22-243 AI built for shooting 80-90 grainers for long range coyotes... which I love as well.

Now that I have these two calibers, it got me to thinking about what I could ream out with my 20 reamer... which brought up the 12 twist for a useful build. Do I need it... probably not, but I don't have much interest in it as a regular 204, after shooting the 20-250 AI.

I like the idea that the longer throat may withstand higher pressures... that sounds helpful for making hotter loads.

I've had my hands full with these 20 and 22's... so I haven't thought much about the 17-204... BUT... have read a lot about them.

 

[daniel brothers]

Ledd... you may be right... I haven't even pushed it yet as a regular 204 to see what she will do.

I guess I need to push her throttle first before greasing her thighs....LOL.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Ledd... you may be right... I haven't even pushed it yet as a regular 204 to see what she will do.

I guess I need to push her throttle first before greasing her thighs....LOL.

lol. Just be careful if you do try to go full throttle.

I've turned 39gr Sierra BKs into shrapnel with a 204 at about 4050 fps...

 

[ohnomrbillk]

Problem is that the 40gr and under bullets won't handle the full potential speed that the 20-250 AI can push them. You start getting a hot barrel and are shooting 39-40gr thin skinned varmint bullets well over 4000 fps...watch out. Might have molten metal in your bore.

Of course you could throttle down the 20-250, but then there's really no rhyme or reason to change it from a 204 Ruger. Just my opinion.

I'm with you

Bullets will come apart before you reach full potential.

Only real purpose is to make brass for the 8" twist and have fun.

You won't go much faster than the 204 with the 40gr bullets.

My buddies running the 20 BR and 5/35 SMc both say the Nosler 40gr handles the velocity best. They're getting 4100 and 4300 fps respectively before the bullets let go. They both said the sierra and Hornady explode a few fps sooner.

Your 20-250 AI has more capacity than either. I'm sure it won't help you reach a higher velocity, but you'll have fun trying.

 

[daniel brothers]

40 grainers at 4300 fps would be a hoot to shoot... It's got me thinking....

 

[OIF/OEF]

What bullets do you have on hand now?

 

[daniel brothers]

My only bullets on hand at the moment are Berger 55 gr that I use in my 20-250 AI.

I will have to get some smaller weight bullets for this little project... why.... got a thought....?

I just found some sierra 39 blitzking... and some nozler 40 gr ballistic tips under my shelf.

 

[daniel brothers]

Do you guys have any thoughts about what might happen if I ran some 40 grainers through my 8 twist...would they come apart...?

 

[Brians356]

I've turned 39gr Sierra BKs into shrapnel with a 204 at about 4050 fps...

Would that qualify as a shotgun for bird hunting regulations?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I've turned 39gr Sierra BKs into shrapnel with a 204 at about 4050 fps...

Would that qualify as a shotgun for bird hunting regulations?

I beleive so...But you'd only get off one shot if it ruptured the case like mine did so you'd better make it count. lol ;D

 

[Brians356]

I've turned 39gr Sierra BKs into shrapnel with a 204 at about 4050 fps...

Would that qualify as a shotgun for bird hunting regulations?

I beleive so...But you'd only get off one shot if it ruptured the case like mine did so you'd better make it count. lol ;D

I guess the bird would die of brass as well as lead poisoning, as it were.

If you used an all-copper bullet, you could hunt migratory waterfowl legally - if you could get the copper slug to disintegrate.

Seriously, I wonder how a 40-gr copper pill would do at 4000+ fps in an 8-twist? Might be an option for this chap.

 

[daniel brothers]

LOL... your guys are funny....LOL

I'm sure a 8 twist would spin it apart... that's my purpose of using the 12 twist barrel.

This guy... Dave... did something similar to what I'm wanting to do.... interesting stuff.

http://www.rmvh.com/20-250%20-%20Load%20Work.htm