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The
.20-250 an extreme predator rifle
by Dave Affleck
Load
Work and Load Data
I’ve kept load work for this rifle to a minimum. I really don’t know how
many rounds the barrel is going to last, and the rifle wasn’t built for
shooting paper anyway. So I just don’t want to shoot at paper with it any
more than I really have to. Basically, all I’ve done is to take each bullet
I’ve wanted to try, and worked up to maximum with a couple of different
powders for each bullet. For much of the initial working up to maximum
process, I used only a single shot at each load increment. Most of the
groups I’ve shot have been three shot groups only. My goals during load
work for this rig are simple. As far as accuracy goes, anything in the
neighborhood of ½ inch, three shot groups is “good enough”. Anything over
about .625 at 100 yards is “not good enough”. Most of the bullet and powder
combinations I’ve tried have shot ½ inch groups or better, some of them have
been ¼ inch. Of course I also had some velocities in mind that I was hoping
to see. The velocities I’m actually getting, are just a hair lower than I
was hoping for, but not by much (my bet is on barrel length as the reason).
Over all, I’m satisfied with the accuracy and velocity performance I’m
seeing. Below is some of the data from my load work with my .20-250.
Please
note! As with any individual load data, these loads should be approached
with caution. This is ESPECIALLY true of ANY data you find on the internet
from an individual such as myself. Heck, for all you know, this data isn’t
even safe in MY rifle, let alone yours!
All loads
are with the bullet in firm contact with the lands (“square marks”) and
using Fed. 210 primers.
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.20-250, Lilja 12 twist |
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Bullet |
Date |
Powder |
Charge |
OAL |
Velocity |
Group |
Notes |
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45 Hornady |
11/26/2006 |
N560 |
40.5 |
" |
3984 |
0.540 |
Max. |
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11/22/2006 |
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39.5 |
3.030 |
3890 |
0.460 |
Good accuracy. |
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" |
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39.0 |
" |
3851 |
0.650 |
Mild |
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11/21/2006 |
N550 |
37.0 |
3.030 |
4033 |
0.815 |
2 shots, quite windy, MAX! |
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11/10/2006 |
Big Game |
37.5 |
3.030 |
4113 |
0.850 |
Max., accuracy so-so, try 37.0 |
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11/26/2006 |
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37.0 |
3.030 |
4027 |
0.575 |
Probably best so far w/45 Horn. |
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11/10/2006 |
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36.5 |
3.030 |
3986 |
0.740 |
Best group of day w/45 Hornady |
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40 Berger |
11/21/2006 |
N550 |
39.0 |
3.035 |
4267 |
0.300 |
Max., warm load! |
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11/22/2006 |
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38.5 |
3.035 |
4235 |
0.290 |
Best load to date! |
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11/21/2006 |
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38.0 |
3.035 |
4139 |
0.340 |
Quite windy, good powder! |
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" |
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37.0 |
3.035 |
4036 |
0.430 |
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11/10/2006 |
Big Game |
38.5 |
3.035 |
4216 |
0.580 |
Max. |
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11/21/2006 |
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38.0 |
3.035 |
4094 |
0.575 |
Quite windy |
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11/10/2006 |
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37.5 |
3.035 |
4083 |
0.540 |
Good load |
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" |
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36.5 |
3.035 |
4006 |
0.435 |
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11/10/2006 |
N540 |
37.0 |
3.035 |
4427 |
0.495 |
Too HOT! |
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" |
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36.0 |
3.035 |
4045 |
0.780 |
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40 Vmax |
11/22/2006 |
N550 |
38.5 |
3.010 |
4295 |
0.350 |
Excellent load |
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40 Nosler |
11/21/2006 |
Big Game |
38.0 |
3.040 |
4157 |
0.835 |
quite windy, good velocity |
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11/22/2006 |
N550 |
38.5 |
3.040 |
4304 |
0.790 |
Max. |
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38 Unmussig |
1/24/2007 |
N550 |
39.3 |
3.035 |
4299 |
0.540 |
Max., but 25*, use 39.0 |
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3/30/2007 |
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39.0 |
3.035 |
4273 |
0.510 |
Good working load |
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1/17/2007 |
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38.5 |
3.035 |
4137 |
0.580 |
Very cold, 10*, try 39.0 |
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10/10/2007 |
Big Game |
37.5 |
3.035 |
4094 |
0.455 |
No pressure |
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10/10/2007 |
Varget |
36.0 |
3.035 |
4220 |
0.555 |
Max. |
<
Previous
Next >
Why the
.20-250?
Why is flat trajectory so important?
Choosing an
action, trigger and stock
Choosing a
barrel
The scope
The
Riflesmith
Loading dies & forming cases
Load work
Bullet performance issues
Final
thoughts
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