Trying to understand the difference between bullets

[cpl666k9]

I'm getting ready to order a barrel for my Remington SA. This barrel will be used for varmint and predator hunting. I like using Berger bullets in my .30 caliber weapons so I thought I'd stay with this bullet maker.

Berger makes a 20 Cal 55 Grain Match Grade Long Range BT Varmint for 1 in 8" twist or faster, G1 BC = 0.381 and a 22 Cal 55 Grain Match Grade FB Varmint for 1 in 14" twist or faster G1 BC = 0.210. The 22 caliber will be loaded in a 223. The 20 caliber will be loaded in a 20 Practical.

I can see a lot of difference between the two bullets but I'm having a hard time being able to apply that difference, as to which would be more applicable to my rebarrel. Would a software program like Quickload help? I do plan on calling Berger to see if they can better explain to me.

 

[jonbearman]

Its the added length and style of ogive of the bullet that make the difference in BC.

 

[cpl666k9]

Thanks JonBearman. I understand the shape, ogive and how those change the BC. I guess I'm wondering which would be the best caliber to proceed with. By BC it would be the 20 caliber but will I be gaining anything over the 22 caliber and how do I find that difference without having to shoot both calibers against each other?

I think I might be over thinking this too.

 

[jonbearman]

I would look at speeds and soforth to make up your mind. I think a 22-250 can push a 55 grainer faster than a 20 with a 55 but you would have tolook at different chamberings and that would help you figure it out. If it were me I would stay with a .22 for bullet availability over the heavy 20 cal.The 55's were not to be found for like a year but .22's were way easier to find.

 

[timeout]

Another tool o help you decide would be a ballistics calculator. Run the numbers and use a 10 mph 90 degree crosswind. The difference in MOA wind drift between bullets/calibers may be the info that forms your choice.

 

[lpreddick]

exactly...wind drift will be different for the 20 cal and 22 cal bullet and at different speeds and ranges. the ballistic calculator on the hornady site will be very helpful. since you plan on varmint "harvesting", as i do, terminal ballistics will be very important...how much energy will the bullet have at different ranges. the 20 cal will have a HUGH amt of energy at short(<300 yds) while the 22 cal may have more at longer(>300 yds). i haven't run the numbers on this but the hornady ballistic calculator can provide these. the 55 berger 20 cals may be hard to find as i think the have been discontinued, whereas there is no lack of good 22 cal bullets varmint and target. the lighter 20 cals are mostly "varmint" meaning they come apart in the target while the 55 is a match bullet and may pass thru a varmint. the same applies to 22 cals...match ones have higher bcs while varmint ones are lower. i'll shoot some match bullets at varmints but i hollowpoint them to promote expansion and still keep most of the higher bc...flatter trajectory. bullets are fun.

 

[cpl666k9]

Anyone know of a program that will allow you to entry data from two different cartridges and then plot or graph the data? I'm going to play with Excel a little. Looking at print outs from Hornady ballistics calculator using a 204 Ruger and a 223 Remington and the data from Berger Reloading manual. This is what I come up with after playing with Excel.

http://www.idxbows.com/Test%20Excel%20Worksheet.pdf

Can someone tell me how to insert an Excel chart or a PDF directly into the message. If I can read my own chart the Berger 20 caliber 50 grain varmint out shoots the Berger 22 caliber 50 grain varmint.

 

[Phil]

If you have a new fangled cell phone the "Shooter" app. is $9.99 and i really like it.

It allows you to build anything you want and change many parameters to compare just about everything you will want to compare.....



Phil.

 

[Pinsnscrews]

Try the ballistics calculator on http://www.gseven.com/ballistic-program

You can load in different calibers, conditions, BCs, bullet weights, velocities, etc. you can create several and have them saved. The only drawback is that it is Flash Driven, so you can't run it on Apple products, and they have not yet finished the Apple app for the software. This is the software that Gunwerks created. It is also the software that Gunwerks uses to get the layout information for custom scope turrets.

 

[GSPV]

Since you are shooting game rather than paper, you might also consider terminal bullet performance.

 

[Rustystud]

Suggest you talk with Don Unmussig of Richmond Virginia. He makes an assortment of custom 20 caliber bullets. His 57 grain BT has the highest BC and works very well in a 20/250.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Phil]

Try the ballistics calculator on http://www.gseven.com/ballistic-program

You can load in different calibers, conditions, BCs, bullet weights, velocities, etc. you can create several and have them saved. The only drawback is that it is Flash Driven, so you can't run it on Apple products, and they have not yet finished the Apple app for the software. This is the software that Gunwerks created. It is also the software that Gunwerks uses to get the layout information for custom scope turrets.

These guys will be getting some of my money for one of thier fancy toys.......


Phil.

 

[cpl666k9]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have looked briefly at the software Gunwerks created. Thanks for the link. As long as I can copy and paste into Excel I can build a line graph overlaying the different information from Gunwerks.

 

[Webster]

As someone else said make sure you can buy the bullets that appeal to you. Most of the manufacturers are not shipping a good selection. Several of the bullets I like have not been on the shelf for 2 years. Go to your shooting supply store and make a list of what's available. Many stores don't carry Berger bullets. Don't get hung up on Bergers. There are many good manufacturers out there. Sierra has not made available any of the 6mm bullets 70 gr and lower for several years. Hornady seems to be shipping a reasonable supply. Many choices (Sierra, Speer, Hornady, Nosler). Whatever you buy make sure they are considered highly explosive expansion. Sierra states "Varmint" bullets are for large varmints. BlitzKing expand to the extreme and are for small Varmints. Hornady V-Max and Sierra BlitzKing are what I shoot. Very accurate and vaporize GH. I used to shoot 6MM 68 GR Bergers they pencil hole a GH. It's not clear in the Berger manual if the bullets labeled "Varmint" have extreme expansion. If your shooting under 300 yds I would not worry about BC. I would look at wind drift at 400 yrds to help make a decision (a combination of speed and BC). Any bullet will kill a varmint if you hit it somewhere.

 

[barefooter56]

cpl666k9,
Please go to our website and used the TWIST RATE CALCULATOR but be sure to read the FLAT BASE BULLET instructions in RED before you do and use our load program too. The main difference besides the obvious diameter one is the construction. The 20 cal is a 55 grain MATCH GRADE LONG RANGE BOAT TAIL bullet and the 22 caliber 55 grain bullet is a MATCH GRADE FLAT BASE BULLET. So it kind of an "apples and oranges" comparison. The Boat tail bullet even though smaller in diameter has a larger G1 BC because the boat tail reduces drag and its longer nose section that decreases drag also. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us here or at tech.support@bergerbullets.com. Thanks for using our bullets!

 

[Gabe22BR]

Any chance of seeing a longer nose/ogive in a 22 cal 52/50 gr bullet ?

Something different than other manufactures.

 

[cpl666k9]

cpl666k9,
Please go to our website and used the TWIST RATE CALCULATOR but be sure to read the FLAT BASE BULLET instructions in RED before you do and use our load program too. The main difference besides the obvious diameter one is the construction. The 20 cal is a 55 grain MATCH GRADE LONG RANGE BOAT TAIL bullet and the 22 caliber 55 grain bullet is a MATCH GRADE FLAT BASE BULLET. So it kind of an "apples and oranges" comparison. The Boat tail bullet even though smaller in diameter has a larger G1 BC because the boat tail reduces drag and its longer nose section that decreases drag also. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us here or at tech.support@bergerbullets.com. Thanks for using our bullets!

I did not notice the RED AREA (LOL). I did wonder why the .22 Varmint bullet was not listed in the pull-down screen though. As I move through my research other questions will come up.

My question right now is; why Berger does not have a .22 caliber varmint round with a boat tail design?

As always, thank you all for your comments
Tony

 

[Webster]

I ran some numbers through the Berger ballistic program. I used 20 Tactical data max FPS in the reload manual and .223 55 gr & 75 Gr. Data attached. Looks like the 20 Tactical with a 55 gr bullet wins hands down. All data Berger bullets.

 

[cpl666k9]

That's what my research shows also. I talked with my gunsmith today about putting a 24" 20 cal barrel on my SA and setting it up to shoot the 55 gr Bergers.

 

[barefooter56]

cpl666k9,
Its a note on why using Flat base bullets on our twist rate calculator is not advised and why. Anyway, on the 22 caliber BT Varmint bullets..good question , dont know. Suggest you go to the CONTACT US tab on the main page and put in a request. We get enough people asking it MAY happen after we get all caught up from the last few years.