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

[steve123]

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

You probably read one of my posts on this subject.

20x47L was a fail with a 9 twist krieger, yes by a little less than 300 rounds the 55's were smoking, giving comet trails on paper, and a generous portion not making it to the target.

I complained to Krieger and they wouldn't replace the barrel.

Fortunately 40 vmax work at 4100 fps??? but I haven't used that barrel in a few years.

Included in my goal for 20x47L was using it with 10 round AI mags, that part worked.

I still have all the reloading stuff so if I do one again I'll try a 10 twist as well.

 

[7315br]

steve123, I do recall your comments, and others also. Some folks were having 20 cal Berger 55 gr bullet failures right from the get-go. I wonder if the cut-rifled barrels could be contributing to the problem? Just don't know. Probably more of the luck of the draw than anything...LOL! 7315br

 

[Stan Taylor]

From a pretty reliable source Berger 55 grain 20 calibers will be available in a couple weeks at a Graf & Sons

 

[TroyG]

Has anyone tried progressive twists like Bartlein gain twist in the big 20s. I drank the Berger 55gr 204 bullet and committed to several thousand bullets. Trying to decide on twist. I only plan to shoot the 55gr bullets in colder Saskatchewan winter temperatures. I am mostly between 2200-2500 ft above sea level and like to be out calling and hunting coyotes when it gets down to -25F or lower. I am thinking a gain twist of 1/9 or 1/9.5-1/8 to try. Anyone go down this road. I

 

[7315br]

TroyG, I don't see a problem with a 9-twist at the altitudes you are talking about. I shot the 9-twist Bartlein in the 20 BR quite a bit out to 500 yds (with a few groups at 2" or less) at elevations below 1,000' with no issues b4 I moved back out west. I did not shoot it in temperatures that cold though. I wasn't aware that Bartlein had a gain twist available in a 20 cal 1:9 twist. That would be a interesting concept! 7315br

 

[Stan Taylor]

If I was committed to a 20 br I probably would do a straight 8 1/2 twist no gain twist.

 

[TroyG]

Case is likely going to be a 20BR or 20BRA.

 

[TAJ45]

Reading through this for 2nd time, I was ruminating abt an 8.5tw also.
I wonder what are the diffs of the bearing surface of B.Bob's and the 55 Bergers is. Maybe explain some of the kablooies?