What is a 20-223a?

[urbanrifleman]

Sending a 40gr at over 4,000 FPS

I would think that would be quite easy.

 

[urbanrifleman]

What would be the best freebore for 20-223?

 

[B23]

If you're getting 4000-4000+ fps from a 204 or 20-223 or even 20-223AI you either have a very long barrel or you're standing on your loads pretty hard.

As for freebore, most of the custom reamers for these 20's shooting up to the 40's is fairly short-ish around 15-30 thou. My 11tw 20-222 if I recall is right around 30 thou freebore and my 8tw 20-250 is more but I only shoot the 55 Berger's in that.

 

[TheCZKid]

Don't know that I'd mess about to ever "improve" a 223 case again but the easy button definitely favors the 20Practical aka 20-223.

As to the benefits of the 20Prac over the 204Ruger, they are available and MUCH better quality brass.

I do think there's a very Practical reason to stick with the 20 Practical also... especially if, as you said:

If you improve the case you do not have to shoot it any hotter than the parent case. You can shoot the standard parent case loads and speeds and the brass will last indefinitely.

If you have no money concerns, and can get primers and bullets with no problems, then having a custom barrel made and fire-forming all the brass, using up a primer, bullet and powder each time, then the 20/223 Improved might be good. But you also have the wait time on the barrel being produced for you.

The 20 Practical is my first venture into a wildcat round, and I'm glad I could buy a barrel from White Oak Armament as something they already make. And that I can actually neck down and prep the brass and shoot it first time at game or targets. I am sticking with the 40 gran so I'm still under 4000 fps, for barrel life. But I like the adventure of a new wildcat to develop, part of the fun of reloading!

 

[urbanrifleman]

I do think there's a very Practical reason to stick with the 20 Practical also... especially if, as you said:

If you improve the case you do not have to shoot it any hotter than the parent case. You can shoot the standard parent case loads and speeds and the brass will last indefinitely.

If you have no money concerns, and can get primers and bullets with no problems, then having a custom barrel made and fire-forming all the brass, using up a primer, bullet and powder each time, then the 20/223 Improved might be good. But you also have the wait time on the barrel being produced for you.

The 20 Practical is my first venture into a wildcat round, and I'm glad I could buy a barrel from White Oak Armament as something they already make. And that I can actually neck down and prep the brass and shoot it first time at game or targets. I am sticking with the 40 gran so I'm still under 4000 fps, for barrel life. But I like the adventure of a new wildcat to develop, part of the fun of reloading!

The 20 Practical is simply a 20-223, correct?

 

[Tommie]

If you improve the case you do not have to shoot it any hotter than the parent case. You can shoot the standard parent case loads and speeds and the brass will last indefinitely.

True but I believe the man’s point is that people run Ackley improved cartridges (especially the .223 for some reason) at crazy pressures unknowingly because the minimum taper and sharp shoulder mask many of the traditional signs of excessive pressure.

 

[B23]

True but I believe the man’s point is that people run Ackley improved cartridges (especially the .223 for some reason) at crazy pressures unknowingly because the minimum taper and sharp shoulder mask many of the traditional signs of excessive pressure.

Exactly!

And yes, a 20 Practical is just a necked down 223 to .204 making it a 20-223.

 

[jepp2]

If your goal is to push a 40 gr bullet at 4,000 fps, go with something with a larger case. Your pressure is going to be so high with what you are suggesting, the brass will never last.

Just for reference:

 

[urbanrifleman]

If your goal is to push a 40 gr bullet at 4,000 fps, go with something with a larger case. Your pressure is going to be so high with what you are suggesting, the brass will never last.

Just for reference:
View attachment 1286751

View attachment 1286752

The 20-223 Ackley still looks like it would be kickass.

 

[Tommie]

The 20-223 Ackley still looks like it would be kickass.

It is indeed a nice looking cartridge. But if your goal is to sell as many barrels as possible, I’d suggest the original 20P

 

[urbanrifleman]

It is indeed a nice looking cartridge. But if your goal is to sell as many barrels as possible, I’d suggest the original 20P

They make more than one reamer. I certainly think the regular 20 Practical is the most popular choice.

Still might be worth buying a reamer to try the 20 SPLODER. Might be fun.

 

[Tommie]

Cool. Knock yourself out man.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have 204R and 20p, the 20p is a 22" AR can't get to 24" 204R fps. SO a 20-250 is always dancing in my head, but with the powder situation I won't go there right now.

 

[B23]

I have 204R and 20p, the 20p is a 22" AR can't get to 24" 204R fps. SO a 20-250 is always dancing in my head, but with the powder situation I won't go there right now.

Had a 20-250 built a few years ago to specifically shoot the Berger 55's. If you're looking for a fast stepping 20 cal dance partner to tango the heavies with a 20-250 is a good choice.

 

[gtl1946]

I think before Berger introduced the 20cal. 55grainers they made a 50 grainer which they no longer make . The 55’s I think they make once a year and are sold by one of our sponsors. The cartridge they were used in was the 20-250 AND a cartridge that hasn’t been brought up, the 20BR which is the 6BR necked down . I think those big guys were made for each other but at a cost..... barrel life which supposedly around 1000 rounds . One of the people at Douglas Barrels shoots the 55’s at 1000yds .

 

[TheCZKid]

If your goal is to push a 40 gr bullet at 4,000 fps, go with something with a larger case. Your pressure is going to be so high with what you are suggesting, the brass will never last.

Just for reference:


View attachment 1286752

I've never heard of the 20 Bobcat, thanks for including that! I like the longer neck on the Bobcat... I'm curious how who made it, and if anyone makes a reamer for that sucker! I'm not buying one, but this wildcat stuff is pretty cool.

 

[TheCZKid]

I have 204R and 20p, the 20p is a 22" AR can't get to 24" 204R fps. SO a 20-250 is always dancing in my head, but with the powder situation I won't go there right now.

I'm curious what your fps is in the 204R looks like 24" barrel, and 20P 22" barrel, and what bullet grain are you shooting / and which powder? Are you using same powder in both, (not same charge) but wondering about burn rate options which might get you where you want to go in the 20P. I'm purposely keeping my speed down to prolong barrel life, and I do have a 24" WOA stainless bull barrel, heavy AR too - 13 Pounds!

 

[B23]

The 20 Bobcat is Kevin Weaver's version of a 20-222 Improved with a 40° shoulder. Kevin has dies on hand for it also. I don't have the "improved" version mine is just a standard 20-222 but they're a fun shootin little bugger and a 8lb jug of H322 lasts a really longgggg time.

 

[urbanrifleman]

So all I would need is the 12 twist blank? Or 10 twist?

 

[B23]

So all I would need is the 12 twist blank? Or 10 twist?

If you plan to shoot the 40 grainers you'll want at least a 11tw. I shoot Berger 40's in my 20-222 with a Hart 11tw and it stacks them up into one big hole.