Shortest effective .20 PPC barrel?

[bouddha]

Will 16 inches show a velocity advantage over a 16" VarTarg? It's for an Encore, and I don't know if I can get one twisted fast enough to shoot more than 40 grainers, and don't want to spend $400/+ to duplicate my VarTarg performance with the lighter bullets.

 

[JASmith]

Try using the velocity versus barrel length estimator at Ideal Bullet Weight.

Start with a known load in each and decide for yourself.

BTW Bullberry Barrel Works might be able to do a fast-twist in 20 caliber but you will likely be obliged to wait awhile and pay a bit more.

My 20" 8-twist 20 Grendel (Savage Model 16) gets sub .25 moa with even 60 grain bullets. You will likely be OK with 55 gr Bergers in that twist even with the smaller cartridge and shorter barrel.

 

[TAJ45]

Not sure I understand : "you will likely be OK with 55 gr Bergers in that twist.............". Did he ever state his twist rate??

 

[bouddha]

JASmith said HIS 1-8 twist would work for 55 gr Bergers. Bullberry has 1-12 as their standard twist, and it may take longer than I want to wait to order a special blank.

I also incorrectly noted my VarTarg barrel as 16"...it's 14".

 

[JASmith]

The Encore is an ideal platform for looking at alternative cartridges, and one would think, comparing one twist with another. It is harder to do than one thinks, however, because the faster twists tend to be special order items. One gets frustrated with the realities of economic buying of barrel blanks.

I know that a whole bunch of folks are crazed with the idea that 4000 fps is somehow "better" than 3500 fps regardless of the effects on wind drift. That is why I went with the faster twist and would have gone faster but a couple of folks I respect were worried that I would create grey puffballs, especially with lighter bullets.