.20/223 AI

[centershot]

Anyone out there done this? I know, it's called a .204 Ruger. If you were to go on a prairie dog hunt, think of the savings and availability of brass.

 

[Hotshot]

Actually that cartridge is a 20 tactical. Slightly shorter than 204R but virtually equal ballistics. It would require fire forming of that inexpensive 223 brass.

 

[centershot]

The more I think about it, a .223 AI firing 40 grain bullets would be about the same thing. Reloading dies would be a lot more reasonable! Ya, would still require fire forming.

 

[Eddie Harren]

The 204 Ruger parent case is the 222 Rem. Mag. The 20 Tactical is the 223 case with a 30 degree shoulder, The 20x223 AI would have a 40 degree shoulder.

 

[MrMajestic]

Yes I did it. 28" 8.5tw PacNor tube. 55's at 3640 fps and 39's at 4147. No case loss yet with Lapua and WWC cases. Kiff spec'ed my reamer for the 55's, 2.45" COL, 39 grain BK at 2.3" COL. RL17 with the 55's and H4895 with the 39's. I would/will do it again!

 

[Greyfox]

The 20-223AI is not a 204 Ruger, nor is it a 20 Tac. I have one on a Wichita action, Pac Nor barrel. It is one of my favorite PD rounds and I shot the smallest group I have ever shot at 400 yards with it. 1/2" measured. Very good cartridge with IMI brass.

Rick

 

[sstkmkrr]

Is anyone running a .227" Neck and a .035" FB for this round! 40 Gr or 55 Gr. Bullet.

Thanks

Steve M.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Mrmajestic has it nailed. My 2 main cartridges anymore are 20-223AI and 20-221FB AI. Before that I was shooting 20TAC & 20VT, but found that the 40 degree shoulder seems to make quite an unexpected difference. The 20-223AI w/39BK & H4895 gives 4050 to 4150 fps depending on your barrel with no pressure signs at all, and you can't overload it easily since 28.0 grs is about all you can stuff in it. The H4895 seems the way to go because of it's stability & ease of loading without getting in trouble. However, you can get a bit more velocity with BLC-2, but it is pretty temp sensitive in my experience. Accuracy with H4895 has been outstanding as well with 10-shot groups (no flags) running under 1/2". I have shot 3-shot groups that were literally 1 hole. The 20-221FB AI (20SCC) is same way with 32 gr bullets running around 4100 using AA2200 & no pressure signs, plus great accuracy. I woulda never believed it until I actually tried it, but it's for real.

 

[Greyfox]

Is anyone running a .227" Neck and a .035" FB for this round! 40 Gr or 55 Gr. Bullet.

Thanks

Steve M.

partial..... .227 Neck 0 freebore

Rick

 

[shadrac]

where would you find dies for something like that

 

[centershot]

To those who alreay have built one. Did you purchase your own reamer or does the person who did your smithing have one?

 

[charlesasmith]

Greyfox Re: .20/223 AI

Greyfox:

What has been your experience with throat erosion with this round? Did you Lapua or IMI brass? Also, have you used Hbn and noticed any difference in decreasing the rate of throat erosion?

Chuck

 

[MrMajestic]

where would you find dies for something like that

.223AI bushing size die with correct bushing
.223AI seating die with.20 caliber stem

 

[MrMajestic]

To those who alreay have built one. Did you purchase your own reamer or does the person who did your smithing have one?

I own my reamer. For the low cost I recommend it. You spec it and when re-barreling things remain the same, well very close anyway.

 

[tooter]

Guidance please on seating die options!

I have a Redding 223 AI Competition seater ---- if possible, what parts do I need to convert for use with the 20-223 AI? I've also been contemplating running the chamber reamer into a Wilson 20 TAC seater base. Are there any other options for consideration?

 

[dedogs]

I believe MrMajestic already answered your first question. As to your second, that's up to you. dedogs

 

[centershot]

MrMajestic--Who did you buy your reamer from?

 

[MrMajestic]

Kiff at PTG

 

[SmokinJoe]

I made my seating die by modifying a 204R SS micrometer die using the chambering reamer, 20TAC would work just as well, just depends on what you can get & price. For sizing, I have a custom CH4D FL die made from the reamer print & a Redding Type S FL 223AI die. I like to size the new brass with the CH4D die, then use the bushing die after that.

 

[tooter]

Hey Smokin Joe, good input!

After my last post, I dug into what it would take to adapt my Redding 223 AI Comp Seater and soon realized you can't get there from here! That being the case, I'll have Bob Green modify my Wilson 20 TAC seater using my chamber reamer.

I also have an inquiry into CH4D for a non-bushing FL die based on my reamer print as well.

Thanks much ---- Tooter