.20 Practical - the place to go for information on problems and fixes

[Tim Singleton]

Mine is on a savage.
Searcher makes a really good point on follow up shots.
I hadn't really thought about how cool rapid fire would be with the AR and no recoil from the 20 cal.

 

[IA_shooter]

My 20 Practical I built on a Savage 10 action using a 20" BHW barrel shoots just about anything well. I can get 24gr NTX and 32gr V-max to shoot well under 1/2 MOA (about 3/8 avg) consistently and the 39gr Sierra and 40gr V-max shoots right at or just under 1/2 MOA as well. This is my go to gun for varmints under 400 yards. 200-300 yards are chip shots and very explosive. 8)

I was out yesterday doing some load development for my new Savage 12 VLPDBM in .223 and sent down a 5-shot group @ 200 yards with my 20 Practical just for kicks and shot a typical 5-shot group of .740".

It's the group on the upper right of this target...........

 

[Nuto-BR]

I have a 24 in heavy X-Caliber 1-11 tw 3 grove in 20 Practical on a home built AR lower. I have had good luck with CFE233, Benchrest, 8208. All shooting 1/2 MOA. I HAVE USED LC and Wolf brass, does not seem to make a whole lot of difference. Best groups are 32 grain V-max. 40 grain just a little bigger. I had a great group with 4198 but it would not lock open. I single load from magazine a let cool a little between shots.

 

[ab_bentley]

 

[itchyTF]

I have a 24 in heavy X-Caliber 1-11 tw 3 grove in 20 Practical on a home built AR lower. I have had good luck with CFE233, Benchrest, 8208. All shooting 1/2 MOA. I HAVE USED LC and Wolf brass, does not seem to make a whole lot of difference. Best groups are 32 grain V-max. 40 grain just a little bigger. I had a great group with 4198 but it would not lock open. I single load from magazine a let cool a little between shots.

I had that problem with 4198 in a WOA barrel. Had him open up the gas port.

 

[223Randy]

I am working on a Savage build right now. I have plenty of once fired 223 cases. I thought any of the 223 cases would work for necking down, am i mis-informed?
My build is going to be a Boyds walnut stock, bedded short action, 25" bull barrel 12twist in SST. I have the stock, action, barrel, waiting on the reamer to arrive.

Any thoughts on loads - bullet powder

 

[Nuto-BR]

I had that problem with 4198 in a WOA barrel. Had him open up the gas port.

Did you have him open the gas port in the barrell or the gas block?
Thanks Chuck

 

[itchyTF]

Did you have him open the gas port in the barrell or the gas block?
Thanks Chuck

The barrel. I can't remember for sure but I think it was opened to .093".

 

[Fast14riot]

Mine is a 24" BHW AR upper that is a clone to one of my other uppers, so it just shares various lowers depending on what I'm shooting. I've even shot mine in varmint steel matches and taken podium placings with it.

I use IMR 4198 and 32gr or BL-C(2) and 39gr both with good accuracy. N133 is another good choice.

 

[Fast14riot]

The barrel. I can't remember for sure but I think it was opened to .093".

.093" is about right for a rifle gas system, that's what mine is at.

 

[stinnett1981]

Here is my 20P AR. 20" Hart 11 twist from Robert Whittly. Load is 25.5g of Benchmark, 32g Vmax, Winchester brass and Federal 205's. Here is 13 shots from 100 yards. Such a pleasant rifle to shoot!

 

[JSH]

How about some input on what you are doing when making brass.
I am biting on the .20's and getting stuff together to build a heavy XP. I have read a lot on case forming, but most of it still leaves a lot out.
Some are saying to use mil surprise brass, others no. Then I see some at turning necks and others are not.
I don't mind turning necks, but don't look forward to it either. I usually turn a few and compare results with no turn, as long as chamber will allow it of course.

Any one have any input on reamers?
TIA
Jeff

 

[Hal]

Trapper

The guys over on saubier forum are a good bunch. Just ask question.

To get more coyotes you need a suppressor on the end of your AR

Hal

 

[GrocMax]

Std 20 Prac reamer, .232-233 neck 0 FB. Heck with neck turning just segregate brass by brand/neck and size with a different bushing if needed.

A few years ago milsurp brass was nearly required due to shortages, but these days new FC and LC brass is 40 bucks for 250 which is a better value than paying for surplus.

While it can be sized down in one step I think a two step neck down makes better brass from fired .250"+ diameter neck brass. .235"ish is a good intermediate step. Some non-bushing dies without the expander in (Redding) get you to .238"ish without buying another bushing.Most common bushing sizes will be .225" and .226", New brass with .245"ish necks try single step sizing first most find it works fine.

Ideal for the AR mag length restriction.

Its not really much of a wildcat at all. 223 gauges work fine.

 

[L.Sherm]

Grocmax pretty much hit the nail on the head, only difference when I size LC brass down is I have a bullberry double ended forming die that I run them through then I anneal and run them through my 223 Redding bushing die.

 

[JSH]

Are the bushing dies the only way to go? I was going to look and see what CH had. Don't have a a problem with the bushing dies just wondering what was out there.
Picked up a 10 twist .204 heavy blank to try out on this project.

 

[L.Sherm]

Theres always more than one way to skin a cat, but if your gonna neck down 223 brass and it will give you options for neck tension on different brands of brass i think its your best bet. Just my 2 cents

 

[L.Sherm]

Personally if I didnt already have my Redding bushing Dies I would look at Whidden not that much more and in my opinion better die.