Think I'm going to do a 20 Cal.

[4xforfun]

Well, after playing with a friends 204, I'm thinking I will add the 20 cal to my stable. Instead of buying a complete rifle/scope, I figured I would use my 1000 yard Backup gun/LR steel plinker/F class rig. Rem 700 all trued up with the thick lug and the bolt bushed. I have the factory varmint synthetic H S stock for everyday use plus a Shehane MBR tracker for competition. It is the 308 bolt face, so it's going to be a 20BR (I think).

Now, I went away from fast/small caliber/light bullets a long time ago in search of LR performance. BUT.... I don't want this to be LR gun. 500 yards tops, with smaller , more frangible bullits. My thinking is finding/renting/barrowing a .237 reamer with ZERO FB and a 1/11 twist for the Sierra 39 or the 40 gr Vmax. I figured between 3900 and 4100. Every gun I own wears a 30+ inch BBL. I am thinking 24....maybe 26 tops in Rem Varmint contour...just a little more handy.

The powders I have on hand in quantity are Rl33, Rl25, RL 22, RL 15, H4350, H4831, H1000, Retumbo, and Varget. My guess is that the RL 15 and Varget are going to be my only usefull options. I have lots of CCI 450's on hand and enough brass to get me started.

Anything I missed? Any suggestions? I have nothing on hand for dies. I would like to get Redding type "S" FL and neck dies. i don't need any COMP seaters..just a plane Jane seater. I assume I would need something in the 22 BR family for forming. Are 20 cal bullits tough to get?

Anyway, this is kind of out of my wheel house....Never done a 20 before. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[snowpro440]

You might want to look here http://www.woodchuckden.com/blog.aspx
Lots of info here too http://saubier.com/forum/

So many choices I just couldn't decide which would be the best and then trying to get components to build with I just gave up an went back to the 6BR , Still thinking of a 17 rem or .20 vartarg though , good luck

 

[Phil]

Benchmark powder...

 

[DogBuster]

As posted in previous 20 cal threads...I currently have three 20s

20 Vartarg....burns 19/322 & 40 moly V max..12T

20 Practical...burns 26/H4895 & 40 moly V max (also Benchmark) 12T

20 BR...burns 31/4007ssc & 40 moly V max (also 55 Bergers & N140)..9T

All Pac Nors on Savage s/shot heavy table guns...all shoot very well...

 

[coonhunter70]

39 Sierra's dont mind making the jump, atleast in my two 204's.

 

[5spd]

My 20x45 (practical) build is also on a Savage action, 24" light varmint bbl, 1/11" twist, CBI bbl. Keeping it on the light side for another coyote rig. I have 3800 mixed brands of bergers/hornady/sierra/nosler bullets.
I wont have any issued to 500 yds with it myself, but mostly going to be 300 yd. night rig.

 

[4xforfun]

Just to repeat..this WILL NOT be a 204.....it is going to be a 20 BR. I already have a 6 br. I have a 6 Dasher. I have a 6-6.5-47L. I have a 6.5 WSSM...7mm08 and on up. I do not have anything small.

 

[Phil]

.20BR /12 twist Pac Nor/ 39gr. Bking/Benchmark/All smiles......... ;D

 

[xswanted]

My opinion is build it on a 9 twist.

I shoot the 40 Berger at 4000 with a 24" barrel.

And you can still shoot the 55 Berger if you want to play around with longer yardages.

 

[FURMAN]

The 20BR is an awesome cartridge( I have two) but in my opinion you are wasting your time and money if you do not build it with a 9 twist to shoot the 55gr Bergers. The Bergers are not very explosive. If you are dead set on something to blow things up inside 500 yards I would look at the 204, 20 practical, 20tac, or 20ppc. They are all capable of the lower to middle end of the velocity range you want with around 10% less powder. The 20BR really looses its efficiency with the smaller bullets. No matter what way you go I think you are going to love the 20s.

 

[FroggyOne2]

What would be the bbl life of a 20BR, hammering out the biggest bullet at 600 yards?

 

[markr]

Just to repeat..this WILL NOT be a 204.....it is going to be a 20 BR. I already have a 6 br. I have a 6 Dasher. I have a 6-6.5-47L. I have a 6.5 WSSM...7mm08 and on up. I do not have anything small.

8) :

 

[rich44]

I have a few 20's a Vartarg, a 12 twist 204R and a 10 twist 204R also a 20br and 20-250, so far my favorite is the 20br it is a tackdriver it will shoot in the .2's with the 55 Berger and RL 15
I would go with a 9 twist also and as far as the 55 Bergers not being very explosive, I'm shooting them from a 9 twist 20br also a 9 twist 20-250 and at least IME they will sure tear up a groundhog they may not turn a PD into mist but I've cut a couple of groundhogs in half especially with the 20-250 at 3800 fps

Right now I'm playing with some of the Black Hole bullets in the 20br and 20-250 with very good results I've had the 45gr cupped base over 4100 fps from my 20br

 

[300meter]

If you're dead set on a 20BR, well OK. If I were you I'd find another bolt for your 700 and build a 20 Practical. I've had two 20BRs and won't build another. Reason why? You gain so little velocity over the 20 Practical that it doesn't make sense. Another reason is barrel life, that 20BR will be a tomato stake in 1200 rounds. The Practical is still going strong and shows no sign of wear or degraded accuracy with over 2000 rounds. It's my favorite prairie dog gun. Just add a V-MAX and it's all good.

 

[JASmith]

I would look again at the 55 gr Berger and the 55 gr Blackhole bullets. Granted they don't zip along quite as fast as the 39s and 40s, but they will shine on windy days when the ranges get closer to 500 yards.

 

[Tommie]

You may not be satisfied with standard weight bullets at 500 yards, especially when shooting in crosswinds.

Tom

 

[CZ550]

My 9 twist Hart shot the 39 SBK amazingly well, I had few come apart when I tried to push them too hard. (really hard)

The 55 grainers are where it's at though. Way better in the wind at 400-600 yards.

9 twist barrel will give you best of both worlds.