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  #1  
Old 01-18-2020, 11:43 PM
Jamesd Jamesd is offline
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Default 20 Vartarg

Anyone tried the Berger 55s in a Vartarg?
Thanks in advance!
James
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  #2  
Old 01-19-2020, 07:03 PM
410gauge 410gauge is offline
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Jamesd...I have not, but I have fooled around with the 39 gr Sierra in the 20 Vartarg many years ago. They were extremely accurate for me. I tried them out in the GS fields at around 400 yds. Wasn't to impressed...sooo never even considered the 55 gr Berger. I've always considered the 55 gr Berger only for the 20 BR cases and up. I just did a Ballistic Calculator comparison on the 32 gr V-Max, 39 gr Sierra, and the 55 gr Berger in the 20 VT. Very surprising how well the 55 gr Berger holds up to the other two on the Calculator in the 20VT. It might surprise you how well the Berger 55 might do. I do know that bullet is a barn burner in the 20 BR and 20-250! Let us know how they do. I for one would be very interested. 410gauge
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Old 01-20-2020, 03:12 AM
DittoHead DittoHead is offline
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Default Barrel Twist

Most 20 VarTargs will not have a fast enough twist to stabilize a 55 gr. Berger. Unless you have the rifle built to shoot the 55, you will probably need a new barrel.
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Old 01-20-2020, 06:02 AM
Oso Polaris Oso Polaris is offline
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Guidance provided to me from fellow members was that a 1:11 twist is good for mid 30gr and maybe out to 40gr. Everyone shooting the +40gr bullets are using a 1:10 twist. Not sure if you would need a faster twist rate (1:9 or faster) for the 55gr. Only way to find out is get a volunteer with a 1:10 twist barrel to see if it will stabilize the 55gr.

If you decide to re-barrel (you might consider stepping up into a 20-222 case (aka 20 Vartarg Turbo) in order to gain some extra powder capacity to keep the velocity up a bit.

The 20 Vartarg really shines throwing lighter bullets at moderately high velocities (3600-3800 fps).

Last edited by Oso Polaris; 01-20-2020 at 11:28 PM.
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  #5  
Old 01-20-2020, 03:05 PM
410gauge 410gauge is offline
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DittoHead is right about the 55 gr Berger and barrel twist. I should have brought that up in my first post. I thought everyone knew about barrel twist theories on the 20 cal Berger 55gr bullet...LOL! "If" someone wanted to try the 55 gr Berger in the 20 Vartarg...probably the 1:7 twist would be appropriate. I currently have a 20-250 that handles the 55 gr Berger to a 1000 yds+ with a 10-twist Kreiger...but I only shoot it at elevations of 4500' and above. Years ago on this forum I sent a member some 55 gr Bergers to try in a Swift necked down to 20 Caliber. He wanted to try them in a 12-twist. They wouldn't stabilize at all. I tried the 55 Bergers in a crazy idea I had in a .223WSSM necked down to 20 caliber. I tried a 11-twist Kreiger. Wouldn't stabilize. I put on a 1:9 twist Kreiger. The 55 gr Berger did stabilize, but the 20WSSM was a pain to work with...sooo I set the barrel back and made a 20BR out of it. Another great idea...gone bad...LOL! The 20 cal 55 gr Berger is one of my favorite bullets...but does have a few quirks that need to be dealt with. The other question now is if Berger will continue to make them...even once a year. 410 gauge
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  #6  
Old 01-20-2020, 04:04 PM
JohnHenry JohnHenry is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oso Polaris View Post
Guidance provided to me from fellow members was that a 1:11 twist is good for mid 30gr and maybe out to 40gr. Everyone shooting the +40gr bullets are using a 1:10 twist. Not sure if you would need a faster twist rate (1:9) for the 55gr. Only way to find out is get a volunteer with a 1:10 twist barrel to see if it will stabilize the 55gr.

If you decide to re-barrel (you might consider stepping up into a 20-222 case (aka 20 Vartarg Turbo) in order to gain some extra powder capacity to keep the velocity up a bit.

The 20 Vartarg really shines throwing lighter bullets at moderately high velocities (3600-3800 fps).
I believe I would opt for the 20-222 instead of the 20 VT Turbo. In addition to changing the shoulder angle and case taper, Todd Kindler for some reason also shortened the 222 case by approx .10 inches when he designed the 20 VT Turbo.
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