Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Right. Slowing down a bigger cartridge defeats the purpose of it being a bigger cartridge.
20 cal guys
- Thread starter chuckshooter
- Start date
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
My varmint arsenal is pretty complete now with 218 Bee, 20-222, 223 Rem (AR), 22 BR, and 243 Win. -- and prolly a thousand brass for each of em.
God is good!! jd
God is good!! jd
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
And with those 35 gr V-Max bullets I got from you buddy, that little rifle is shooting better than it ever has. I just popped off a couple of .5ish groups with it the other day, and it has never really shot that well. Trouble is, it was with some primed gunshow brass I scored on, and I have no idea what primers they were. 
jd
jdchuckshooter
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm definitely not telling where I live. I load for three killer bees1000 218 bee? You know, you just set yourself up for a visit from me and my buddy Five Finger discount Floyd....
I didn't know there were 1000 218 Bee in america!
You know Im just teasing you JD. That is an impressive varmint collection though.
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snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I have more so if you run out, just let me knowAnd with those 35 gr V-Max bullets I got from you buddy, that little rifle is shooting better than it ever has. I just popped off a couple of .5ish groups with it the other day, and it has never really shot that well. Trouble is, it was with some primed gunshow brass I scored on, and I have no idea what primers they were.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I won't be shy. The Bee gets less use these days since I use the 20 so much. But there's nothing more fun for either sneaking around in the rocks, or in a patch where the shooting is 50 to 150 yards.
I was reading on the PacNor "can do" list and that Model 43 rifle was listed for the serial numbers of which mine wears. I think a 20 Bee would be about as sweet as it gets. -- for a guy who has plenty of brass.
jdJSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I built my 20BR after I called Todd about getting some left over magazines. That turned into a 2 hour visit that day with a 20BR on my mind for a while. Finally dropped the hammer. Ordered a Bighorn action, KRG Bravo, TT Diamond trigger and 1K of the 55 Berger’s.
I was still out on a limb as to what I was going to do for powder supply was and still is all over the place. I had done a LOT of reading, along with probing ever persons brain for info that had hands on with this that would talk or correspond with me.
Dunno where I was at 15-18 years ago but at that point there was a lot of interest and builds going on with the 55’s on various larger cases, one would not know that, at least with the search’s I did.
I went with a plain Jane 20BR, supposed to be a no turn but ended up turning to make me happy for clearance, better to small than too big.
It was a pure pleasure to work with, maybe all the questions and input from many helped.
Surprisingly I got more 1 on 1 help here than I did at Saubiers.
If all goes according to plan, it will see some usage in September on dogs. I figure they will be pretty spooked by then at close range for the most part, so the longer range rigs will get to have some fun.
Bought a #1V in 220 Swift that belonged to a close friend that has now passed. I will about guarantee it has had less than 50 rounds through it when he bought it 40 years ago. Only complaint, wish I had a trigger for it. This one is serviceable but could stand improvement.
If I had it to do over on the 20BR, I would have maybe went the BRA or Dasher. I feel that is as much boiler room as can be useful for the size.
A 20 BR in a 1-11 twist and 39 or 40 grain pushed to 4000 and change is the easy button if that is your thing. I don’t think you would get crazy with pressure to do so, I doubt barrel life would be any better than going with a 55, then you get all the positives of the BC to boot.
As to the 20VT, doubt I will do another. I would tend to go with a 20-222. I honestly believe the long neck has benefit to throat wear issues.
Spoke to a fellow that built a 17-223 and he had throat issues in short order. My 17R still looks good and shoots good, even though I got a bit honery with it a couple of years ago. Like good potato chips one ain’t enough, point splat that day from up close to as far as I could see in the mirage, made a couple of buddies mad,
.
I was still out on a limb as to what I was going to do for powder supply was and still is all over the place. I had done a LOT of reading, along with probing ever persons brain for info that had hands on with this that would talk or correspond with me.
Dunno where I was at 15-18 years ago but at that point there was a lot of interest and builds going on with the 55’s on various larger cases, one would not know that, at least with the search’s I did.
I went with a plain Jane 20BR, supposed to be a no turn but ended up turning to make me happy for clearance, better to small than too big.
It was a pure pleasure to work with, maybe all the questions and input from many helped.
Surprisingly I got more 1 on 1 help here than I did at Saubiers.
If all goes according to plan, it will see some usage in September on dogs. I figure they will be pretty spooked by then at close range for the most part, so the longer range rigs will get to have some fun.
Bought a #1V in 220 Swift that belonged to a close friend that has now passed. I will about guarantee it has had less than 50 rounds through it when he bought it 40 years ago. Only complaint, wish I had a trigger for it. This one is serviceable but could stand improvement.
If I had it to do over on the 20BR, I would have maybe went the BRA or Dasher. I feel that is as much boiler room as can be useful for the size.
A 20 BR in a 1-11 twist and 39 or 40 grain pushed to 4000 and change is the easy button if that is your thing. I don’t think you would get crazy with pressure to do so, I doubt barrel life would be any better than going with a 55, then you get all the positives of the BC to boot.
As to the 20VT, doubt I will do another. I would tend to go with a 20-222. I honestly believe the long neck has benefit to throat wear issues.
Spoke to a fellow that built a 17-223 and he had throat issues in short order. My 17R still looks good and shoots good, even though I got a bit honery with it a couple of years ago. Like good potato chips one ain’t enough, point splat that day from up close to as far as I could see in the mirage, made a couple of buddies mad,
.JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I would think a 1-12 twist would be running fast enough to over come any stability problems. I m curious to see how your throat does, with sensible use.
Makes me grin thinking about hitting an unaware victim like a lightning bolt.
Had my 17 Remington ordered and waiting, a fellow had a 17FB barrel and components for a good price. Thought what the heck, let’s try it. That is what pushed me to the 20VT. I run light bullets in both. The full size case gets standard weight. No regrets, gives the larger case rounds a break from not slinging the light bullets at warp speed. The 221 case gives up a little, but when they struggle, I just switch to the big brothers.
Still a 204 with a 32 running at 4100 is impressive.
I don’t know that I have enough self control to restrain myself with the BR case and 39-40’s lol.
Makes me grin thinking about hitting an unaware victim like a lightning bolt.
Had my 17 Remington ordered and waiting, a fellow had a 17FB barrel and components for a good price. Thought what the heck, let’s try it. That is what pushed me to the 20VT. I run light bullets in both. The full size case gets standard weight. No regrets, gives the larger case rounds a break from not slinging the light bullets at warp speed. The 221 case gives up a little, but when they struggle, I just switch to the big brothers.
Still a 204 with a 32 running at 4100 is impressive.
I don’t know that I have enough self control to restrain myself with the BR case and 39-40’s lol.
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Gabe22BR
Gold $$ Contributor
I shoot my 20 BRAI in competition w/ 55gr ..
I prefer the 32gr in my little 20… just ran out, had to load up the 39BK…
I’m using danzac on everything-big & small… no need to fight the copper… carbon is ya friend… trim my cases .003” short of chamber to keep ring to min..
I prefer the 32gr in my little 20… just ran out, had to load up the 39BK…
I’m using danzac on everything-big & small… no need to fight the copper… carbon is ya friend… trim my cases .003” short of chamber to keep ring to min..
L.Sherm
Silver $$ Contributor
Can I ask who is doing the work on your Ruger? Just wondering because I have a 17 PPC RugerI’ll always miss Saubier, I didn’t frequent it a lot but when I had a question about the small stuff it was rich with info. I miss the Woodchuck Den too but I noticed Todd posted a “It’s sold” remark the other day so maybe new life will be breathed into it.
Just an FYI. Grafs has the 55s back in stock, they aren’t cheap but they are hard to get.
BERGER 20(.204) 55gr HPBT BULLET (VARMINT) 100/bx - Graf & Sons
Exclusive to Grafs! After noticing an interest, Grafs contacted Berger for a special run of these varmint bullets. Get them while you can! Berger Long Range BT Varmint Bullets feature Match Grade quality construction and have a large hollow point that produces rapid expansion when used for...www.grafs.com
I’ve always enjoyed the 20 cals, started off with a 204, currently enjoying a 20-222 in a Tikka action and I just sent off a Ruger #1 for a new 20-222 barrel. Fun!
I have 1500 of the 55 Bergers, haven’t built the rifle yet but I will soon.
#2 (#3 with #1 wood ) that may be in need of a new barrel at some point in the fairly near future.
Thanks,
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Sure. Zack at Old Dominion Custom rifles, he knows his way around #1s, he’s here on the forum, user name WSMNUT, can’t say enough good things about him.
Woollybugger
Gold $$ Contributor
Thinking I should build a 20 GT - I have 400 Berger 50gr and 250 black hole 55gr pills. About enough to use up a barrel in 20GT…….now I need a 8T tubeVarminter.com had a nice forum at one time too, but it hasn't been up awhile. At one time Eric said it would come back,time will tell. This forum has such a wealth of knowledge that there's really no reason to go elsewhere. All we need now is for Hornady to introduce a 20ARC with a 50 ELD-VT.Maybe a gun manufacturer will get onboard with a fast twist barreled gun and then the brakes would be off in the 20 caliber world.
Gabe22BR
Gold $$ Contributor
You need 1-9 twist barrel
nmkid
Gold $$ Contributor
Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about all the rifles I've owned in the past. There were many nice ones, but none ever brought a smile to my face faster than a .20 Practical I had. So easy to load for and form the brass. I still have about 500 pieces of formed brass...There I go, dreaming again!
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Hearing that makes me wonder why you sold your .20P. Seems like you really miss it.
Was this one of those "wish I hadn't done that" things?
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Easy to fix that. Even easier if you have a rifle laying around with the right bolt face, new barrel and your back in business.
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