20 Br Or 204

[Hippy]

I can't decide weather to build a 204 Ruger or 20 Br I have a 22 Dasher and luv it I have both 8"and 14" twist. I have actions that are for both A Panda and a 40X BBR . Anyone have "real world" experience with these?
Thanx,
Jim

 

[people]

I have been with my Grandpa and he shoots a 204. He had his gun built and it shoots very well. I have not ever shot it becides at paper. Here is my take on the 204 if you wanted to get full splat effect out to a couple hundred yards then the 204 is the way to go. If you want to shoot farther with pleny of splat effect the 22br would be the way to go.

 

[Rodbolt]

I like both cartridges and am just now trying the 20BR too. The .204Ruger will out distance the 22BR, no question. Just run a ballistic calculation with a 39gr BlitzKing and the traditional 50 or 60gr .22 bullet a 22BR speeds. My .204's run with or out run my 22-250AI and Swift out to 600yrds, that in drop and wind drift, haven't done much beyond that but may try with a 20BR. If you are shooting prairie dogs, crows etc. I'd choose the .204 with a 39BK. If I was wanting a coyote gun I'd choose the 22BR for the extra penetration and shorter shots.

 

[beartrack]

I've no personal experience w/ the 20BR, but I have 2 .204s. One is an Encore rifle 26" SS. It was rough as a cob until I lapped it out. It's throat isway to long, I have to seat .15 over max spec to be anywhere close to the lands. The 1-12 twist won't stablize the 40 gr. v-mas at all. However, 32 gr. v-max shoot every day under .5,averageing high .3s). Factory brass, no messing around forming, neck turning, etc. I liked it so much I picked up a LW barrel,1-10) for my savage.

No doubt the 20br will be faster and if you want to really prep the cases, it will be more accurate. However, if you are about busting P-dogs and furry things, you'll have longer barrel life, you won't have to take out a second on the house to provide yourself w/ 2000 brass, you won't have your wife divorce you for spending every free moment for half a year preparing brass.

 

[Stoner25mkiv]

The title I see reads 20BR or 204.

 

[EdwinD]

20 Br Or 204, CORRECT!

Edwin D

 

[coupalr]

Having owned and shot both I would say neither. Get a 20 tactical built. It is ballistically the same as the 204 and you get to use lapua 223 brass. It seems like i can never keep enough 204 brass preped for shooting gophers. I want to be out shooting them not doing up the brass.

 

[Moon]

I shoot a 20BR, and would not part with it for any "sane" amount of money. Lapua 6BR brass, run through 22BR sizer, then through 20 sizer, and I have lost zero rounds in necking down. No other prep than trimming length, and it stays .3's or less. Any 20 other than the 204 will require necking something down. Fast enough to stabilize 40 V-Max in my Pac-Nor 12 twist. I understand 204 may not stabilize 40's in a 12 twist...I don't know. Slightly flatter than 204 with same bullets, and slightly more explosive, but PD's aren't going to know the difference. I chose 20BR because I had a large bolt-face XP action on hand. If it had been a small bolt-face action, I would not have had any heartburn over building a 204 or a 20 "PRACTICAL",not tactical), so that a straight neckdown from 223 brass would be the only prep. Pick the one that turns you on most. You'll love either one.

 

[mikeinct]

I think the gent who said Which bolt face size you have on hand made the decesion for you...Either way just be sure you can make the case from Lapua brass..223 or the Br job...I converted a sako SS varmint 223..to the Tac 20 with I believe a one in eleven..ask chris at pac-nor..The 39 gr Sierra bullet just rocks from that case...I love it...Out to 500 yds I prefer it to my 6mmbr...flatter shooting & it really hits hard...Biggest GH I shot last week was 463 yds away..literally blew the dust off his shoulder on impact...Fantastic terminal performance at extended distance...I'm lovin that gun ..mike in ct

 

[skipper]

I had a .204 Ruger built on a Panda action. It has a Tracker stock,Lilja barrel and Jewell trigger. The rifle shoots like a dream. I have managed a couple of groups in the 0's with the 35 Bergers, Benchmark, Norma brass and CCI BR-4 primers. The rifle was built by Stick of SG&Y Rifles.

I had this rifle built just to see what the potential of the 204 Ruger was, given all the right parts. I am very impressed with the level of accuracy I'm getting. I'm not a competitor but, if I can make it shoot as well as it does, someone who knows the game should be able to make it shoot even better. The 204 Ruger is no slouch in my books.

 

[beartrack]

Had to add this to the .204 consideration. LW barrel on my savage 12 action hasn't changed my mind about the .204. Winchester brass and lee collet dies and it doesn't matter what bullet you put through it, it shoots!

Just breaking in the barrel, ran some 39gr. Sierras w/ a middle load picked at random from the book - 10 cleaning every shot, 12 more cleaning every 3. Dialed in the scope with these and a 10 shot group,cleaning every 5) was .610.

Looking at possible loads w/ the 40 gr. V-max,which shoot fine in the 1-10) they ranged from high .1s to high .3s w/ three shot groups on a 90+ degree day.

This is brass that hasn't been sorted at all, just sized, primed, loaded and fired. I don't see any downside to the .204. I'm looking forward to getting a little more serious w/ 5 shot groups, fired brass w/ square case mouths and on a day w/ less mirage.