20 Tactical & Ramshot Xterminator

[jwv2001]

I had a thread a while back about using Xterminator in my 20 Tac with 26 gr. Barnes Varmint Grenade bullets. I didn't have any responses for a starting load, so I bought the bullets and have started testing. I live in Fresno, CA so if I am going to shoot ground squirrels or predators with this rifle I have to use non-lead bullets. I have used VG's before(.224 36 gr.) in a .223 AI and 221 Fireball and have found them to be accurate but need to be pushed hard to get the accuracy I'm looking for.
First of all, my rifle is a Cooper M21 20 Tac with a 26" 12 twist barrel. The brass I have been using has varied between Lapua Dakota 20 Tac to fireformed Winchester, Remington, and Federal .223 brass. I have found no accuracy differences in the brass I've used. The primers have been CCI BR4 and Wolf sm rifle magnum. Again, no differences in the primers that I could tell on the chronograph or in accuracy on the target. My chronograph is an Oehler 35P set 12' in front of the muzzle.
I settled on Xterminator because, like all ball powders, it measures easily and accurately into the small mouth 20 Tac case which is good for high volume loading. It has also shown good performance anytime I have used it. I hope that someone here finds this information useful.

In keeping with my former experience with the Varmint Grenade, the 26 gr. 20 cal. bullet likes to be pushed hard. I have found that 27 gr. of Xterminator give me an average velocity of 4400 fps. Of the 10 5 shot groups I've fired, no group has been over 1/2". I will continue tweaking this load, but right now it's good enough to hunt with.
Also, to anyone interested, here are a couple of 20 Tac Xterminator loads that I have also been using.

Sierra 39 gr. Blitz King/24.8 gr. Xterm. = 3800 fps. I feel I can get a little more velocity with the Blitz King but the accuracy right now is incredible.

Hornady Vmax 32 gr./26.5 gr. Xterm = 4204 fps. This load shoots well in my rifle @ 55 to 100 degrees. I thought this would be the load for my rifle until I started using the 39 gr. BK's. I think the 39 gr. bullet works the best in the 12 twist barrel.

[Recko555]

Good info. Thanks for posting.

[NV17lvr]

Very good info!! That 26gr @4400 will wreck hell on some ground squirrels LOL

[Sidewinder]

I work in a sporting goods store at the gun counter. I have several customers that have had good accuracy with Ramshot powder. I am getting 1/8 inch groups with my 20 VarTarg and XTerminator powder.

[ab_bentley]

I shoot 23gr of TAC in my 20-222IMP, the barrel is melonited so I can squeeze more speed out than the average man. I think I am running close to 4200fps with the 32grVM.

[wirelessguy2005]

good information. I have some xterminator myself and was considering trying it in my 204 ruger. I think i might give it a shot now.