So what s the word on 50-55 gr 20 cal bullets

[Doug30racer]

I have been in love with the 20cal since i built a 20p 4 years ago and I am looking into a 20-250 for the fun of it and was wondering about the availability of bullets before I go ahead with the build. Also any current users with a bit of load data would be great.

 

[7315br]

Doug30racer, it's of my opinion (not worth much...LOL!) that the 20/250 works best with the 55 gr bullets. Mine has 300 rds through it now and is still shooting well...high 1's...low 2's (3) shot groups at 100 yds. I've had a lot of grief trying to get it to work with Lapua brass. Been a pain as I bought a new PTG reamer that was design for WW brass, and tried to make it work with Lapua brass. Just recently gave up and went back to WW brass. Works well. Not quite as accurate, but okay. I put a Kreiger 10-twist on this rifle (hopefully to slow down the bullet rpm), and it has worked well. Have made shots to 1000 yds plus on PD's. If doing it again, I'd build a 20 Dasher or a 20 Nitro. In my opinion that's about the limit of overbore 20's. I've tried larger cases than the 22/250 pushing a 20 cal bullet, and it has been a disaster. The 55 gr Berger is supposed to be available again from Graf & Sons in the fall. A great bullet, but the 55 gr Blackhole rebated tipped BT custom bullet also works well. I've shot both a lot. I've settled on H-4350 for a powder with the 55 gr Berger. Finally found a accuracy node at a lower speed (3834 fps average). You might consider a 20 PPC if shooting the 39-40 gr bullets and distances out to 600 yds. Mine has worked well for Sage Rats and PD's out to that distance. Good luck on your decision. 7315br

 

[Doug30racer]

i sent a message to graf and sons and the reply was the order is still in the process and the delivery will be this fall. Kinda sounding like I need to get to building my new toy.

 

[xswanted]

Do your research on what twist to use.

I’d be skeptical a 10 will work in a variety of weather (cold) and altitudes.

I had a 20BR and a 20-250, both 9 twists. They shot the 50 grain Berger (gone now) very well and the 55 Berger quite well.

The 55 was certainly not achieving its full BC from that particular barrel based on amount of elevation needed at long range.

It was still quite impressive, but not everything I believe it could have been with an 8 twist.

I’ve had this discussion before on here and I’m still in the opinion a 10 twist isn’t a good choice, even if they work for a few others. I used my for a coyote rifle and in the cold a guy should have at least a 9 I believe.

I ran the 55s at 3600 from a 23” barrel.

Pretty impressive coyote round.

Having said all this, you can push the 55 Berger from a 204 Ruger 24” barrel at, or close to depending on the barrel, 3400 With a stiff load of H4895.

Little easier on barrels.

The 20-250 I had lasted about 750-800 rounds before it was done. If I do another one I think I’d have the smith chamber 2 barrels at the start.

Lots of fun though!

 

[B23]

My 20-250 has a 26in 8tw Krieger and it shoots the Berger 55's very well. I'm currently using RL16 with the 55's. Knowing, before I ever had it built, the 20-250 wouldn't be long for barrel life, I ordered two barrels from Krieger when I started my build.

 

[Doug30racer]

My smith has 2 1-9 twist bartliens that he was going to use for a project like this but never did. I think I am going to order a 1000 55's to start with and see what happens. Also try a few 40's in it just to see what it will do. The rifle wont be built by the time the bullets are ready anyway. Keep the 20-250 reloading data coming!!!! love to hear what you guys are try and the results. Saves me on the R&D and gives me a place to start.

 

[L.Sherm]

RL15, 55's CCI 450's in a 9tw. 20 Nitro

 

[Bill K]

You want info and even bullets in heavy 20 caliber, contact Bob Vining, 50 Node Rd, Node, Wy. 82225 he posts as Badger Bob on some of our gun sites and makes some very fine bullets. He can clue you in on twist, etc. If I can find his phone number I will add it, but someone else surely will also chime in with his info.

 

[264win]

I have a lot of experience with .20 BR (2 rifles), .20 PPC and .204 Ruger. My 8 twist McGowen Barrel shoots the 40 gr V-Max and 39 gr Sierra more accurately than the 55 Berger. My next .20 Barrel will be 7 twist. So far I have found only Hart and Pac-Nor will build 7 twist 20 cal barrels. If there are other choices, I would be pleased to know.

As I mentioned, I have a .20 PPC. It has the same water volume as my .204 Ruger chamber and brass. Those two cartridges are ballistically equivalent. I have found that I can get by with a half grain less powder (case efficiency) and get the same velocity as my .204 Ruger. The barrel on my .204 Ruger is an inch longer too.

 

[L.Sherm]

264, have you checked the twist on your 8 my 9 in a 20BRAI is like a laser with 55's.
Twists have been know to be not what there suppose to be.

 

[Dean Slater]

264, have you checked the twist on your 8 my 9 in a 20BRAI is like a laser with 55's.
Twists have been know to be not what there suppose to be.

I would not recommend a 7 twist. I went with a Pac-Nor Super Match 7 twist on Berger's recommendation and at 20 BR velocities the Berger 55's came apart before reaching the target. The 7 twist was basically a tomato stake.

 

[L.Sherm]

I've also heard of guys tearing up 55's with 8's after some throat wear with fast 20's

 

[Dean Slater]

I've also heard of guys tearing up 55's with 8's after some throat wear with fast 20's

I am going to try a good 9 twist barrel and some good 55 grain bullets but they won't be Bergers

 

[L.Sherm]

Bob Vinning has 55's 50's and 46.5
307-631-7852

 

[Dean Slater]

Bob Vinning has 55's 50's and 46.5
307-631-7852

Thank You
I was hoping someone would post his phone number. I'll give him a call.

 

[L.Sherm]

Word of caution, I dropped. 8 or.9 of a gr. of RL15 with Bob's 55's compared to the Berger 55 to achieve the same velocity in my 20 BRAI

 

[Gabe22BR]

Word of caution, I dropped. 8 or.9 of a gr. of RL15 with Bob's 55's compared to the Berger 55 to achieve the same velocity in my 20 BRAI

.8 or .9 gr from where?

 

[L.Sherm]

From my Berger 55 load, I dropped back .8 or .9 I would have to look at my notes.

 

[Dean Slater]

From my Berger 55 load, I dropped back .8 or .9 I would have to look at my notes.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[7315br]

A couple of more comments (which I always regret doing...LOL!). This subject of barrel twist with large capacity 20 cal cases and the 55 gr Berger has been discussed many times on both this forum and other forums for a number of years. To clarify my choice of a 10-twist barrel on my 20/250...it was more of an experiment to see if it would produce a longer barrel life by slowing down the bullet rpm. xswanted's comments could be right on the money. My shooting of the 10-twist Kreiger barrel in the 20/250 has only been in the summer and at altitudes above 4800'...mostly 6,000-6,500 altitudes. I have not shot it at lower altitudes or cold temperature shooting (not a coyote hunter). So far it has worked out well. I have 300 rds through it. I only planned for 600 rds of barrel life...so anything beyond that would be a plus to me in my type of shooting (PD's) with this barrel twist/cartridge combination. To be honest the 22/250 case necked down to 20 cal has not impressed me so far. Using the the Lapua 6mm BR case as a parent case for the 20 BR or a couple of the Improved versions does. The comments in the past of other shooters that 20 cal large case wildcats with 7 or 8 twist barrels were tearing up 55 gr Berger bullets in a relative shot period of barrel life (less than 300 rds) spurred me to try the 10-twist. Will the 10-twist work out over the long run..."as the man said...will see". I do have a spare Kreiger 9-twist! Good luck to everyone on their decision. 7315br