20cal/55gr Berger for Varmint

[gunderwood]

I'm doing research for a varmint rig (heavy benchrest). Probably 20br.

How does the Berger perform and at what velocities? I've read some reports of the 55gr Berger penciling through PDs. Also I've read some about 20-250s and 20x47 Lapuas not killing coyotes cleanly at short range (<200-300 yards) due to the bullet breaking apart to early.

Regardless of cartride, what are your experiences with the Berger varmint bullets? Particularly the 20cal 55gr.

The Berger bc is so much better than a 40gr vmax, which would be my next choice.

 

[gunderwood]

What are the chances of a round skipping? My experience with vmax is virtually none, but does that hold true for the Berger varmint bullets?

 

[rdsii64]

Vmax bullets kill stuff really good. they tend to turn ground rats inside out. I mean that literally.

 

[Alycidon]

I am running a 1 in 9 twist and shooting 50gr Berger MEFs in a 20BR.

I have killed red foxes to 252 yards with no issues, I am running the 50 at about 3500 and get no huge exit holes for you fur guys. At closer ranges they can get a bit explosive but no where near as good as the Sierra 39gr Blitz King which is an awsome bullet at about 3600.

Accuracy wise I have shot them in the ,2s in a benchrest comp using a bipod !

A

 

[Catfish]

I was also looking at building a rifle for the 50 Bergers. From what I`ve heard the 35 Bergers are doing a fine job on coyote in the 204`s. I know from personal experance that the 32 gr. Sierra`s are no good at all, they blow up on impact. I used to shoot alot of 17 cal. Bergers and in 17 cal at least, I would not use the MEF bullets, they are way to explosive. Their match bullet in 17 cal. would leave great big holes in groundhogs though. I don`t care much about the hides so I`ve been carring eather a .224 TTH or a 6-284 for my long gun and an AR for up close and personal.

 

[Alycidon]

I was talking to a guy the other day running the 39gr SBK in a Tac 20 at about 3850fps using N133, he says he get no exits at all on fox chest shots. To my mind that must be one high pressure load.

A

 

[rdsii64]

I am running the 50 grain vmax over 26 grains of N133 in a 12 twist barrel. I have gotten good accuracy on paper targets out to 600 yards in still wind. Inside 300 yards it is a sledge hammer. At the closer ranges it does tend to get messy though

 

[Alycidon]

There is a 50 grain VMAX !!!!!, if right its about time to. I suspect with your powder choice you might have a typo and mean a 40gr.
Cant see a 20 cal 50 gr Vmax on the Hornady site, wish I could !!.
A

 

[rdsii64]

There is a 50 grain VMAX !!!!!, if right its about time to. I suspect with your powder choice you might have a typo and mean a 40gr.
Cant see a 20 cal 50 gr Vmax on the Hornady site, wish I could !!.
A

my 50 grain vmax is a .223 the only 50 grain .204 bullet that I am aware of is a Berger.
If Hornaday did make a 50 grain vmax that would be a High BC bullet. Top that with the 204 having a bit more case capacity than a 223, the ground rats better be very afraid.

 

[Alycidon]

I thought something was amiss, Todd Kindler has been trying to get Hornady/Nosler and Sierra to make a 50 grain plastic tip in 20 cal for years.

A

 

[65WSM]

I built an 8 twist McGowen 28 inch barreled (nitrocarburized) M700 as soon as I got my hands on a thousand (100 boxes) of the 55 gr Bergers. It wears a 10-50X60 Sightron so all of the errors are mine. I shoot it at 300 and 550 yds so far. I coat the bullets with HBN which all but eliminates copper fouling.

I have investigated Reloader 17 the most because I have been pleased with the velocities it generates. The 8 twist is a little under what Berger recommends. Velocity helps.
55 gr Berger BT R-17 30.3 gr 3444
2.198 OAL CCI 450

55 gr Berger BT R-17 31.0 gr 3578 24.4 SD
2.198 OAL 55 gr Berger BT R-17 31.4 gr 3632 6.8 2.198 OAL

 

[65WSM]

To continue my efforts with the 20 BR and 55 Berger: The SD goes down as I fill the case with R-17. My Quickload buddy from the Range tells me that the 31.4 gr of R-17 is over 70,000. Which is even a little hot for Long Range Hunter. I have still been using the Wilson half neck size die and have not needed to full length size even with 31.4 gr of R-17. At 2.198 OAL I get 34.6 gr of H2O. Norma brass (I use Lapua 6mm BR to make 22 BR on my bench so I can tell them apart).

I bought some IMR 4451 to try as well. I am using VV N-550 in my 22 BR with 80 gr Noslers.

What are your experiences?

 

[Rogue Hunter]

I'm running 29.5 grains of Varget w/CCI 450's under the 55 Grain Berger in my 20 BR. Getting 3250 fps from a 18" barrel (XP-100). Shoots in the .2's at a 100 yards.
Have killed marmots with it out to 840 yards.

-Mike

 

[65WSM]

Apples and oranges. My 28 inch barrel would not be a good use for 3/4 of a case of fast powder.

What is the twist and maker of your pistol barrel?