Hugnot
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- NW Idaho - dense pack suburbia
Try 25.5 gr. IMR 8208 with the 40 VMax.
20 practical load data
- Thread starter jagter8
- Start date
3 powder tests that were also the first rounds fired so I'll end up doing them again. I didn't have any N135. Test two was skipped because it was a .1gr test and I didn't see the value in it. 5 shot group size wasn't recorded but was, generally speaking, .296" to .171". Most of this was Lapua brass. I think the last group was Starline.
I've started tracking base diameter at the .200 line (not on these spreadsheets). I don't think it's necessary for this round but I still check it for growth. We can't anneal the base so repeated resizing of a base that has grown "too much" could lead to case head separation. Again, not likely for this round but I won't rule out possible.
I need to try H4198 but I'll make sure the barrel has settled down first.
I've started tracking base diameter at the .200 line (not on these spreadsheets). I don't think it's necessary for this round but I still check it for growth. We can't anneal the base so repeated resizing of a base that has grown "too much" could lead to case head separation. Again, not likely for this round but I won't rule out possible.
I need to try H4198 but I'll make sure the barrel has settled down first.
A1C
Well-Known Member
A1C
Well-Known Member
Not sure if you're interested as your post was a few months ago, but I've seated 20P with my Forster 223 rem seater for years. And I also use a FL bushing die (Redding I believe) to size and then a .222/.224" mandrel to get my desired neck tension. I use starline brass for my varmint/plinking and Lapua for my ultimate accuracy load and the different mandrels get me the same tension as one has more spring back than the other.
I didn't think I'd like 20P as much as I've grown to love it. It's so simple to neck down and shoot. Super accurate especially with Lapua brass, and you use the same 223 rem/5.56 "go" gauge to headspace.
I've shot mostly 39 gr Sierras (some 40 gr v-max) but just ordered 1,000 Sierra 32 gr Blitzking as most people say they shoot great as well, and I Do a few ground squirrel or p dog shoots each year.
223 rem is a pretty mild recoiling round, but will still raise the muzzle enough to disturb your view of critters doing koolaid cart-weels. With 20P, you've got a perfect view and increased velocity which makes for spectacular cartwheels.
I debated for years on buying an 8T to shoot the 55 gr Bergers, but couldn't do it and just got another 11T.
Benchmark, N130, N133, N135, XBR8208, X-terminator, TAC, H322, Win748, H335, RL10X, and many more will work with the 39/40 gr class of bullet.
All my barrels have been 11T and .00" freebore for both bolt and gas (white oak) guns but I'm primarily a bolt gun guy.
The first picture is a 3 shot group @ 100. The second photo is of my load while i dialed in my seating depth and has many different seating depths and mostly starline brass but some with Lapua. There was 10 groups (mostly five shots) shot at 300 yards which agg'd at under .5 MOA.
20 Prac is easily my favorite small cartridge.
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Always interested. I hope to get back to the .20P soon. The 6.5 PRC is working well. 6.8SPC and heavy (175 gr) subs is a work in progress. 8.6BLK with real heavy (350gr) subs is on hold as of today. The AR10 and I are not friends. I prefer bolt guns. Always have. Always will. I have an 8.6BLK 6 twist barrel coming for a Solus action I have. I ended seating with a .20 Tactical die and first rounds were pretty good.
