20 tactical starting out

[Fern]

Met a nice fellow who is offering to sell me his 20 tactical rifle. Has a criterion barrel on it but I was not aware they made 20 tactical barrels.
I was thinking of putting a new barrel on my 204 ruger but now thinking of putting funds towards this rifle.
I understand brass is made from 223 brass sized and fire formed for the shoulder.
Is there anything else I should be aware of or concerned with jumping into this cartridge?
I have powder and primers and some projectiles.
Wondering if I will need to neck turn brass (something I never done before.

 

[GLShooter]

The shoulders will form out nicely when you push them back. No need to fireform. I've not had to turn my .necks for my 20 TAC done by Dtech. It will run side by side with your 204. I've been shooting the Practical more the past 10 years. You've picked a fun round and a good tube.

 

[5spd]

I have a new set of hornady 20 tact dies if you can't find any.
I built a 20 tact, then went to 20 practical.

 

[Fern]

Well it’s official I joined the 20 tac club. This fellow made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Now need to learn the brass making process.
I got a Redding set with precision neck sizer standard full length size and seating die.
From what I read you FL size 223 the tac form die then FL tac size.
Any other tips recommendations? I did get some rounds loaded in some Dakota 20 tac brass.

 

[GLShooter]

I run my 223 brass through a gutted 223 sizer die. This gets my necks started smaller. I then run them through the TAC sizer die that forms the new shoulder angle and pushes them back where they need to be. I use a 650 and process a grundle full of base cases and put them aside after the first step so I have them ready to finish off in TAC and PRAC.

 

[TRSR8]

I run two TAC20’s. Inherently accurate round…better than the 204 IMHO. With a little effort you should be able to score some LAPUA/Dakota brass which needs zero neck turning…..it’s that good. Also, perfect capacity for great loads without excess pressure.

 

[GLShooter]

I run two TAC20’s. Inherently accurate round…better than the 204 IMHO. With a little effort you should be able to score some LAPUA/Dakota brass which needs zero neck turning…..it’s that good. Also, perfect capacity for great loads without excess pressure.

I haven't seen any of that in almost ten years. Any hints?

Greg

 

[TRSR8]

I haven't seen any of that in almost ten years. Any hints?

Greg

From time to time, it shows on Saubier.com…small caliber forum, also I hear First Stop Guns may have it on occaision.

 

[L.Sherm]

Any other tips recommendations? I

I would just get some LC 223 brass jam the bullet in the lands some with some decent NK tension and do load work up and go shooting, you would be surprised how well fire forming loads shoot.

 

[GLShooter]

From time to time, it shows on Saubier.com…small caliber forum, also I hear First Stop Guns may have it on occaision.

It's always interesting what turns up on Saubier.

 

[TRSR8]

It's always interesting what turns up on Saubier.

Yep. I was recently able to score some G&H 22-3000 brass for my R2.

 

[Fern]

I run two TAC20’s. Inherently accurate round…better than the 204 IMHO. With a little effort you should be able to score some LAPUA/Dakota brass which needs zero neck turning…..it’s that good. Also, perfect capacity for great loads without excess pressure.

In this package deal guy gave me about 300 loaded rounds in Dakota brass and another 100 or so spent pieces.
I have lc brass and will need to practice making some tac brass.
Is the form for the one that gives it the shoulder

 

[Dave Berg]

Unless you have a need for more than four hundred loaded rounds you have enough brass for the current barrel and at least one more. The Dakota/Lapua 20 Tactical brass is by far the best stuff I ever worked with. The only way to lose a case is to have it disappear in the grass or soybeans. It lasts forever with reasonable treatment.

The form die pushes the shoulder back and the first firing blows the shoulder out.

 

[Fern]

Took the 20 TAC to the range and was really impressed with the rifle. I shot the 40g bergers I got from the seller. Normally I would t trust another persons reloads but this guy gave me lots of info and he’s in his 70s with decades more experience than me.
He labeled each box of ammo with bullet and powder weight.
Only thing not there was the primer used.
This was a 5 shot group at 100 yards around 85-90 heat this morning.
I measured the twist on barrel and got a 9 twist which makes sense since I also got lots of 50 and 55 bergers

 

[GLShooter]

Very nice. Try the Berger 35s for another grin maker.