20 Caliber 40 Gr. V-max

[17 shooter]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the 40 Gr. V-Max in the 20 Tact.???? Is it too explosive on Coyotes? Since so many use the 35 and 40 Gr. Bergers, I couldn't help but wonder why they were chosen instead of the much higher BC of the V-Max...Thanks for your comments...George

[Chuck Miller]

I've got 3 Tac20's, all 1-12tw, and although it will stabilize the 40gr Vmax it turns a .5 MOA rifle into a 1.5 MOA rifle. I always end up using the Berger or the 39gr BK as they will shoot out of my rifles. Last count I have 5 20cal Variants and none of them shoot the 40gr Vmax except a 1-9tw 20PPC and it shoots everything well. I have used the 40gr Vmax in that rifle with good results on Feral pigs out to 300yds.

[GreatWaputi]

I had pretty much the same results with my CZ 527 American TAC .20. It doesn't like 40gr Vmax's, but shoots 39gr BlitzKings into tiny little clusters.

[Fireball]

Even my 1-9" 20 BR wouldn't shoot those 40 VMs. And none of my 1-12s will.

Doug has been the lucky guy here with that bullet. I sure wish they would shoot in any of my 20s.

The 40 Berger, 39 BK and 40 BT all shoot well in all my 20s irregardless of twist.

I think that long boat tail on the 40 VM is playing havoc with a lot of 20 caliber rifles.

[Kevin Gullette]

My 20BR has a 10.0"(measured) twist. It shoots the 40VMax, at 4150fps, just fine.....at elevations ranging from 982ft. to about 5000ft.

On my last trip it's longest PD was shot at 582 yards.

BTW......It shoots the Berger 50LTB just fine also.....at 3950fps.

Kevin

[GLWenzl]

George, I can not comment on your question as I have had really good success with the 40 gr V-Max on PDs only, haven’t shot a coyote in a few years. FWIW I shoot the 40 v-max from a 20 BR at 4050 fps and it makes nice lil groups with just about any powder/load combo I feed it.

Only a wild guess but the 45 gr SP bullet Hornady makes has me wondering if it was better designed for the tougher jobs??? Haven’t heard much about this bullet either???

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[JoeZ]

The 35gr Berger is a good coyote bullet. I have killed close to 30 ground hogs with a 40gr Nosler in the last few weeks. Very accurate and looks to be fairly fur friendly while hitting like a hammer. I am shooting a 20Bobcat with nearly identical ballistics as a Tac20 in an 11 twist Pac-Nor. Farthest was a lasered 369 closest was 48 with a 196 average. I will be putting a tac20 together early fall. 40Nolsers will be the primary diet.

[17 shooter]

Thanks guys for all the imput, suggestions, thoughts and ideas. I've got all the parts, (#5 Pac-nor-11 twist barrel, 700 rem. action, PPG Bolt, Jewel Trigger and H-S Precision Stock) to put a Tac 20 together and I have been waiting to have the reamer made. I usually send Dave a "dummy" round with a bullet seated so I can get the throat like I want it. I'll probably start off with the 40 Gr. Berger..... I purchased some Gunhaus bullets in 36 and 38 gr. John tells me that the 36 Gr. has a BC of .224 and the 38 Gr. BC is .238. I sure look forward to trying all of these and again, I appreciate all the help....George

[Oleman]

I think you will do a lot better with a 35 or 40 Berger or a 40 Nosler Balistic Tip.

[17 shooter]

Oleman, Thanks for your input....I value the experience of others and I appreciate your comments....Feel free anytime....George