20 badger/ 20-30carbine

[S&sprecisionTx]

Just got done doing some work on a 20 badger it is a very interesting little cartridge getting some different bullets in to try out some different data
CZ 527

1-12 20"
CFE BLK
34 grain
Fiochi primers
16, 16.5, 17
3395, 3486, 3608


Pic
20 badger left , 20 practical right

 

[OK hunter]

Very interested in building one. Thanks for sharing your info.

 

[wkndwarrior]

I'm curious what work needs to be done to build one of these?

 

[JSH]

Hornet bolt face will support/extract the 30 carbine case. Do a search on James Calhoon. The Badger started as a 19 as I recall.
FYI the Hornet needs to be a good one with true locking lugs, not like a 22RF where the bolt handle is all there is.

 

[L.Sherm]

I'm curious what work needs to be done to build one of these?

Make your own brass or neck up Calhoons 19 Badger brass.
The easiest way to get a FL sizing die is buy a Forster 19 Badger die from James and have it converted into a bushing die thats what I did for my 17 Badger

 

[SmokinJoe]

From previous post: In my experience making 22 Spitfire from Carbine brass, it helps a lot to lightly re-anneal the neck before forming, even with new brass. Otherwise I get what I will call crepe paper looking necks. Going on down to 20 would probably make this step even more helpful in making quality brass. I have had all of my CZ and custom action Hornets converted to 22 Spitfire; no more crappy brass problems and easy 3400 +/- fps using 40gr bullets with great accuracy. One other thing, at least in the 22 version I have, is the best powder is Shooters World SBR-SOCOM if you can find some. AA1680 may be better for the 20 cal though.

While this seems to be a topic of interest, I'll say it again. I have found this family of cartridges to be so superior to the Hornet based cartridges that I'm getting out of the Hornets and going this route completely. Also, there is the Garin Surestrike family of cartridges based on 30 Carbine brass.

 

[JSH]

From previous post: In my experience making 22 Spitfire from Carbine brass, it helps a lot to lightly re-anneal the neck before forming, even with new brass. Otherwise I get what I will call crepe paper looking necks. Going on down to 20 would probably make this step even more helpful in making quality brass. I have had all of my CZ and custom action Hornets converted to 22 Spitfire; no more crappy brass problems and easy 3400 +/- fps using 40gr bullets with great accuracy. One other thing, at least in the 22 version I have, is the best powder is Shooters World SBR-SOCOM if you can find some. AA1680 may be better for the 20 cal though.

While this seems to be a topic of interest, I'll say it again. I have found this family of cartridges to be so superior to the Hornet based cartridges that I'm getting out of the Hornets and going this route completely. Also, there is the Garin Surestrike family of cartridges based on 30 Carbine brass.

Now if Howa would step up and offer a Hornet rifle……….I think I am one of very few that isn’t a 527 fan. Not many options out there I am aware of, at least for a sane price.

 

[SmokinJoe]

If you are good with a single shot, the Howa Mini action will work with these cartridges. I have one with a JARD trigger and aftermarket bottom metal using a modified Sako single shot follwer that is a great little varmint rifle.

 

[wkndwarrior]

I didn't see anything on the google, but looking on calhouns website that this brass is 30 carbine - I wonder why no one has attempted to accurize an M1 carbine or replica with a badger barrel. Wouldn't that be a great squirrel or truck rifle? And they are plentiful. Also not seeing 20 badger on pacnor or other popular websites.

 

[KMart]

I didn't see anything on the google, but looking on calhouns website that this brass is 30 carbine - I wonder why no one has attempted to accurize an M1 carbine or replica with a badger barrel. Wouldn't that be a great squirrel or truck rifle? And they are plentiful. Also not seeing 20 badger on pacnor or other popular websites.

For me, if I had to make all the cases through a prolonged process, then fire them one time and possibly losing them forever, I would be hesitant to build a semi auto.

 

[L.Sherm]

Semi autos dont work very well in a high volume sage rat shooting other than a HMR or 22LR. I'm not chasing my brass around in the dirt.

 

[OK hunter]

Hornet bolt face will support/extract the 30 carbine case. Do a search on James Calhoon. The Badger started as a 19 as I recall.
FYI the Hornet needs to be a good one with true locking lugs, not like a 22RF where the bolt handle is all there is.

Could a 223 Rem bolt face be opened up to accept a 30 Carbine rim?

 

[L.Sherm]

It doesn't need to be opened up, its smaller than a 223. Ive got a Rem 700 223 bolt that is bushed down to a Hornet bolt face for my first 17 Badger but a sako extractor has to be installed or a mini 16 probably would.

 

[OK hunter]

not sure what I was thinking but thanks for setting me straight.

 

[SmokinJoe]

FWIW, the Howa Mini has a M-16 style extractor I think.

 

[JSH]

FWIW, the Howa Mini has a M-16 style extractor I think.

Now if I could find one for cheap like I did the first three.
Got a pencil barrel 223 that had bad vertical after three shots. It is now a 22 Nosler.

 

[S&sprecisionTx]

Did another speed test with CFE BLK 16.5 grains this is a fire forming load

24 Hornady 3729 3/4-in groups

26 Barnes 3631 1/2-in groups

32 V-Max 3482 1/2-in groups

34 nightmares 3470 1/4-in groups but there was a bullet seating death test with this bullet only seated the same for the other three

 

[S&sprecisionTx]

34 grs first hunt
0 coyotes
1/crow

 

[JDHasty]

I’ve got a pair of Remington 580s that have been converted to 17 & 20 Garin. Making that brass from 30 Carbine is a piece of cake with the Garin form set. It’s the neck turning that is a real chore. I sure wish the designer had not gone with turned necks. I haven’t shot them much, but will be retiring and intend to really wring them out. Showing great accuracy so far though.

 

[L.Sherm]

.016 -.017 thou nks are way to thick for 17 cals unturned necks come out to about .204 -.205 loaded round I started making brass for a 17 pee wee almost 20 years ago before the Garin and Calhoons badger came about.
I dont mind turning necks i see it as part of the game wildcating