Looking for advice on my first "20"

[Bully]

Howdy all.
I'm starting the search for my first .20cal. The rifle will be shot from prone and off a bench at paper from 100-300 yards. I'm fine with moderate case forming (ie: necking down) but would prefer to skip fireforming if at all possible. I will be shooting off a Harris bipod and rear bag. No rest.

My action has a .223 bolt face. I can have it opened up if I have enough of a reason to.

Let me know what cartridge you are a massive fan of and why.
Let me know what bullet weight and barrel twist you are running and approximately how fast.
What barrel contour gets you through the day.
What is/would be your ultimate set-up.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[Tommie]

Plain and simple:
20 Practical

 

[Bully]

Plain and simple:
20 Practical

Any chance you would want to throw more info at me?

 

[dsandfort]

What is it you are looking to shoot/dispatch?

 

[Tommie]

What is it you are looking to shoot/dispatch?

Sorry. I assumed you were familiar with the chambering. Here’s a good article.

http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

 

[hogpatrol]

.20 Practical
Why:
Tons of brass, cheap or free.
Plenty of .20 caliber bullets that shoot accurately and are cheap, also customs available
Works in an AR platform as well as a bolt gun
A wealth of data for loads so very little load development
Can use .223 bushing and seating dies, multiple brands available
Shoots flat, extremely accurate, 32gr mv can reach 4000fps
Prefer a 10 twist for weights up to 40 gr. but 11 will work too
re: 100 to 300? less than 1/2 moa with a good rifle/shooter
Why not:
Extra work to prep brass.

 

[jds holler]

My choice of 20 was as much sentimental as practical. I took my old, worn out and much loved 222, and ordered a barrel chambered in 20-222. It's a sweeter, gentler version of 20 cal.

Everything went well putting this sweetheart together, and I couldn't be happier. It shoots very well, especially considering my somewhat lazy loading habits. I'm using old 222 brass of unknown age and firings. I don't sort brass or bullets, and I don't weigh charges. Even still my rifle groups consistently under .5", on down to occasionally under .3. I'm pretty sure it would be a real performer if I did my part at the loading and testing department.

I like that it is a little gentler on the barrel than the hotter 20's, and don't plan to try for blazing speed. It is primarily a squirrel rifle, and generally 300 yards and under. I guess I also like that it is a little different from what most guys are doing with the 20 cals. jd

 

[hogpatrol]

My choice of 20 was as much sentimental as practical. I took my old, worn out and much loved 222, and ordered a barrel chambered in 20-222. It's a sweeter, gentler version of 20 cal.

Everything went well putting this sweetheart together, and I couldn't be happier. It shoots very well, especially considering my somewhat lazy loading habits. I'm using old 222 brass of unknown age and firings. I don't sort brass or bullets, and I don't weigh charges. Even still my rifle groups consistently under .5", on down to occasionally under .3. I'm pretty sure it would be a real performer if I did my part at the loading and testing department.

I like that it is a little gentler on the barrel than the hotter 20's, and don't plan to try for blazing speed. It is primarily a squirrel rifle, and generally 300 yards and under. I guess I also like that it is a little different from what most guys are doing with the 20 cals. jd

Hmm, I have a .20 barrel 1-10 collecting dust. I may have to give this wildcat some consideration. Sounds like an interesting project.

 

[Mark W]

Here’s a recent thread that I started on the same topic. It went four pages with some great responses. A 20-222 was actually on my short list of chamberings that had my interest. By the end I had my heart set on a .20 VarTarg.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...artridge-for-varmint-target-shooting.3944432/

Ironically enough I stumbled upon a great deal on a Lothar Walther 1:10 twist barrel chambered in 204 Ruger with dies and brass. Needless to say I couldn’t pass it up. I’m still in the early stages of load development and couldn’t be happier.

Just this week I purchased another action to start my 20VT build.

 

[Bully]

Sorry. I assumed you were familiar with the chambering. Here’s a good article.

http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

I'm familiar with the cartridge, just wondering why you are recommending it.

 

[DogBuster]

of my three 20's.....all heavy dedicated p/dog guns

20VT....20-222.....20PT.......

20-222 gets my vote

 

[pacificman]

20 practical ...I have two of them...both 11 twist...one a Pac-Nor barrel and one a Criterion barrel.
I shoot 40 grain v-max in both. One has 3850fps. velocity and the other has 3625fps velocity. They are both very
accurate. One has a 28 inch heavy barrel and the other is 26 inch medium heavy tube. Both are used for p/dogs and one
occasionally for coyotes.

 

[Damon555]

Or you could just cut to the chase and go with a standardized cartridge....It's as simple as the 204 Ruger......Make it an 11 twist so you can shoot the 40's comfortably and you'll be a happy camper.

 

[B23]

Like most other calibers, there is just about every flavor of .20 cal you can imagine but only you can decide which one is best tasting for you.

There is plenty that are just a straight neck down of the parent case such as the 20 Practical, 20-222, 20-221, or even 20-250 if you're looking for a screamer. Then there is alllllll the different wildcat versions based off of those same parent cases and there is nearly an endless amount of .20 caliber wildcats that use the same parent case but with a little different case dimensions.

I've found as I get older and acquired more and more wildcats that I'm less and less interested in cartridges that require fireforming so I tend to steer more towards things that only require necking down and no fireforming step. It's not that fireforming is all that difficult because it certainly isn't but when you have a few that require it, it becomes a step that I'd just rather avoid and for me, unless there is a good amount of gain by going to a wildcat that requires fireforming, again, for me, I can live with a 23 degree shoulder over a 30.

And, as was already mentioned by Damon555, there is certainly nothing wrong with a straight 204 Ruger. I don't have many factory guns but one of the few that I do have is a CZ 527 Varmint in 204 Ruger and at 100 yards it's an honest 1/2 inch gun. I'm not sure I would build a 204 Ruger but the only reason I wouldn't is because with the 20 Practical I can use Lapua brass and I'm a self admitted brass snob so the availability of Lapua brass is a biggie for me.

IMO, either the 20 Prac or 20-222 would be the natural choice and would suit you well and I too, would go with a 1-11tw barrel. In fact I have a Hart 1-11tw barrel arriving this Wed. for a .20 cal build.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

If you have an interest in efficiency with less barrel heat and barrel wear I recommend taking a look at the 20-221AI or 20SCC as I like to refer to it. It will produce 204 ruger velocity with a necked down and improved 221 fireball case. The accuracy level is virtually identical when you are fireforming versus a fired case and its a simple one step case sizing process to get started.

 

[Bully]

If you have an interest in efficiency with less barrel heat and barrel wear I recommend taking a look at the 20-221AI or 20SCC as I like to refer to it. It will produce 204 ruger velocity with a necked down and improved 221 fireball case. The accuracy level is virtually identical when you are fireforming versus a fired case and its a simple one step case sizing process to get started.

Do you have any info on this?

I’m between a 20VT and 20P right now. I Ike the 20VT for the efficiency of the case and that it’s different from a 223(won’t go in the wrong rifle) and I like the 20P for the abundance of brass, ease of forming and speed.

 

[Yote Hunter]

20 vartarg. Very efficient and accurate. A lot of speed for 18 gr+/- powder. Run a 221 casings into full length die and go shooting. Really no fire forming to speak of. Like comparing a 6 br to a 22 ppc. This little case is just about the perfect balance of powder for a 20 cal bore. Preferably with 32-35 gr projectiles.

 

[B23]

Do you have any info on this?

I’m between a 20VT and 20P right now. I Ike the 20VT for the efficiency of the case and that it’s different from a 223(won’t go in the wrong rifle) and I like the 20P for the abundance of brass, ease of forming and speed.

Maybe split the difference and consider the 20-222.

Also, I don't know if this applies to all short actions but I know if you are using a Rem 700 SA you'll need to use a different spring, box and follower if you plan to run it as a repeater. The box and spring are easy to get but finding a 221 follower, not so much.

 

[hogpatrol]

Do you have any info on this?

I’m between a 20VT and 20P right now. I Ike the 20VT for the efficiency of the case and that it’s different from a 223(won’t go in the wrong rifle) and I like the 20P for the abundance of brass, ease of forming and speed.

Some will argue the point but the 20VT, being built off of a Fireball case MAY present problems feeding and ejecting in rifles made in any other caliber besides the Fireballs. The Fireball bolt face is different than standard .223 bolt for this reason. I have two original .17 Fireballs and neither one of them feeds reliably. They do eject the shell without problems. Perusing Remington's Parts web page, the spring, magazine box and follower are also specific to the two Fireballs. Having said all that, if I were to build a 20VT, I'd go single shot.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Another big fat vote for the 20VT. Amazing performance from only 18.5~grs of powder with an honest 3,700 fps. It gives 90% of 204 Ruger performance with 30% less powder. On sage rats, I've made hits just past 500 yards with mine, and on rock chucks.....well, the pic below speaks for itself.



As has already been mentioned, a pass through a F/L die with 221FB brass, and you're usually ready to go. Very low recoil, less muzzle blast, see all your hits/misses, low barrel heating (long barrel life) and wicked accuracy. What's NOT to like? Lot's of choices for sure, but if you go that route, I promise you'll be glad you did, and you'll then know what all the fuss has been about.

(I may add that I do not varmint hunt with repeaters, 'cept for coyotes. All my primary rat rifles are single shot.)