Tougher 40gr .20 cal bullet?

[X Count]

Hi,

Looking for some experienced persons feedback. A friend has run 39gr blitzing out of a vartarg and at around 75yds these bullets seem to splash on impact on large foxes.

I'm looking to run a 20ppc 1-9 twist at around 4000fps on foxes and small goats so am after thoughts on a .20 bullet that might be slightly tougher but still accurate. I guess this would be equivalent to a decent size 'yote

I have the option of the below
Nosler BT 40gr
Speer TNT 39gr
Hornady v max 40gr

 

[B23]

Nosler BT's have always been a pretty tough bullet so those and the Berger 40's would be my choice.

 

[17VLD]

I absolutely love the 40 Berger on coyotes.In the past when we started shooting coyotes using 33 VMaxs I experienced blowups on the fur once I switched to the 40 Berger’s and slowed down the load a bit my shots were all DRT.I also use the 40 Berger to test new 20s for accuracy as they are very well made.I have heard people really like the Berger 35s as well on coyotes too.I would also give the BIB 40 a try.My rifle is a 13 twist so I couldn’t use the 40 VMax as it is to long for the 13 twist.
Matt

 

[JB10]

I like the 35gr bergers in my 204. Not quite at ur wanted speed but im at 3,880 fps

 

[platapus]

I’ve been running the 40gr BiB with great results.

 

[boltfluter]

Much of this problem is shot placement. Although the Sierra is the most explosive of the bullets listed. Raking shots along the ribs will always be destructive. Fox are also very thin skinned. My choice would be the V-max with good placement. I.e. perpendicular to the animal. Good luck!
Paul

 

[GAnderson]

Go with the BIB 40gr bullet and you will be good. One of the best out there and they won't "splash". Very accurate and do what they are designed to do...kill coyotes.

 

[B23]

There was a forum member, AP2020 I think, that did his own non scientific bullet test with a bunch of different 20 cal bullets. It's been awhile so don't quote me on this but I believe he shot them in to ballistic gel and maybe something else, I don't exactly remember what all he did.

Myself and some others sent him different bullets to test from our own personal stash. I don't know what others sent him but I sent him some Berger 35's, 40's, and even some 55's. If I recall the BIB and Berger 40's performed nearly identical.

If anyone wants to search for his results from the test he did I'm pretty sure his screen name is AP2020. I talked to him briefly through PM's and seemed like a pretty nice guy.

 

[thekriebles]

There was a forum member, AP2020 I think, that did his own non scientific bullet test with a bunch of different 20 cal bullets. It's been awhile so don't quote me on this but I believe he shot them in to ballistic gel and maybe something else, I don't exactly remember what all he did.

Myself and some others sent him different bullets to test from our own personal stash. I don't know what others sent him but I sent him some Berger 35's, 40's, and even some 55's. If I recall the BIB and Berger 40's performed nearly identical.

If anyone wants to search for his results from the test he did I'm pretty sure his screen name is AP2020. I talked to him briefly through PM's and seemed like a pretty nice guy.

Bullet Splash, Part II 204Ruger

Special thanks to @HillbillysniperSWVA and @B23 for the test bullets! @Forum Boss Btw, I was surprised at the 35gr Bergers performance in ballistic gel

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[BAM]

In a 20 cal the Bergers will solve your problems.....

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

40 BT is toughest on your list.

 

[JLT]

40 BT is toughest on your list.

And the TNT is definitely not . . .

 

[65WSM]

I whore out my .20 PPC. So sad. It was the most accurate twenty that I ever shot. I would vote for the .40 gr Ballistic tip, because the base of the bullet is impact extruded, not stamped from sheet (ribbon). I would use IMR 8208 to power the bullets. I shoot my twenties, two .20 BRs and three .204 Rugers at 540 yards and record groups not just manhole size plates. I still own the PPC reamer so there is a hope. I just hate to wait for eleven months for barrels.

 

[Hal]

65WSM
Did you mean to say you" wore "out your .20 PPC ? I thought maybe you were selling your gun. What barrel,twist and bullets were you using in your .20 PPC?
Hal

 

[65WSM]

I shot the .20 PPC at sage rats with whatever I could get my hands on. I shot non toxic Nosler and Hornady to the 40 gr Hornady and Berger. It took 6000 rounds. The barrel was nitrocarburized and I shoot HBN coated bullets. I have owned (one went to a young person and one I still have) two factory savage .204 Ruger barrels. I sold a factory Remington last year. The Remington XR-100 was purchased from a knowledgeable handloader who shoots prairie dogs most of the Summer in Montana. It was a one trick pony 32 gr only. The one in ten factory barrels are best with short light bullets. Since most handloaders are choosing tipped bullets that are longer, than the cheapest .204 factory loaded bullets on the shelf at the wharehouse store, which were hollow points and shorter, I think the one in eleven barrels are rediculous.

My experience is that one in 9 is a good all around twist for the current available bullets except for the 55gr Berger. It requires 7 twist (check the Berger twist calculator on their website). I just got a 7 twist Bartlein back from the nitrocarburizing treatment and lookforward to shooting it next spring at sage rats over the horizon. I have sighted it in and shot 75 rounds at over 500 yards already. I will be happy to share my 55gr load with anyone but I do not have it handy. .20 PPC in photo shooting at 540 yard target with the help of a target camera.

 

[L.Sherm]

It requires 7 twist (check the Berger twist calculator on their website).

I can assure you no matter what the calculations say a 9 twist works wonders unless your running the 55's in a real slow short barreled 20 then I wouldnt go any faster than an 8.
Theres several people on here that are running 9's with a 55's and have had great success, but each to his own.

 

[Knifeman]

I quit using 39gr BK’s on coyote’s because of them splashing. Been using 40gr Bergers in my 20 Vartarg and have had ZERO splashes since. I plan on trying some Bib bullets soon.

 

[sw282]

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Practically guving them away @$23/100. Ballistic Tips are the toughest varmint bullet due to its thick copper base. The above is Nosler's site for blem bullets/brass/ammo

update: Now @$18/100...11/19/2022

 

[X Count]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up getting some 40gr Berger's to try first. Putting a Sako 75 varmint together with a 1-9 lilja, Lapua brass and neck turn chamber so thought it would be good to try Berger's and see what sort of accuracy I can't get out of it. I can't get your real nice custom 20 cal bullets over here :-(

The nosler BT with the solid base sounds like it might be an even tougher option so I'll give them a try if the Berger's don't hold together well enough.

 

[Rainierrifleco]

My son uses 39s out of 20 tac with good results
For me I stick with .224. As there are more choices 55 gr sp just works