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20 cal. Opinions Please

Mark M.

Silver $$ Contributor
I'm having my CZ 527 Kevlar 223 Re barreled to a 20cal., thought I would go with the 204 Ruger or 20 Practical, What are your thoughts, am I just splitting hairs? doesn't really make any difference? or is there a different 20 I should be considering ? Your Thoughts Will be appreciated thank you
 
I have a 204 Ruger and 20 Tactical (basically a 20 Prac with a slightly shorter 30 deg shoulder). Father in law has the 20 Practical.

Easiest way to do it is to build a 20 Tactical or 20 Practical. 223 brass is dirt cheap and found everywhere. One pass with 223 brass in a 20 TAC or 20 PRAC full sizing die and you are ready to go to the range and start shooting. 20 PRAC doesn't change shoulder angle and the 20 TAC can be shot like normal and the shoulders will work themselves out to 30 degrees without you ever knowing the difference. Both cartridges are only slightly slower than a 204R. Wont really notice much of a difference between the 3 rounds. All great performers
 
Cheapest way is the Practical. There can be 100+ fps diffs in bbls. If a hunnert rds will do you, sure, .204 Ruger. But if any volume is on your horizon, by all means, .223 based. As stated, one pass and you're gtg. You probably resize virgin brass anyway, no wasted effort.
I'm sure you will have an 11 tw or tighter. I'm expecting one of the big names to come out w a pill in the mid to high 40s. Even if no scuttlebutt on the immediate horizon, your stick could be w you for several years.... just sayin'
 
I have a tac 20 and am finishing aother one now with a heavier barrel. Very accurate brass is easy to make. I had a 204 XR100 it was very accurate even with factory ammo. Id do the tac20
 
Just so the OP is clear for all people claiming 20 Prac is cheapest for brass...The 20 TAC uses cases made from 223 brass as well. Both cartridges equally as cheap for components.
 
Don't miss the 20 BR.

I've built many various 20 cals over the years, but my next is going to be the 20 PPC. A little smaller than the BR of course, but should be a great shooting little round. Already have a Whidden 22 PPC FL die with appropriate bushings and plenty of PPC brass. Working on the next step which is a reamer and seating die blank.
 
If you go tac or practical. You use the same magazines/brass from your 223. no feeding issues. With an 11 twist the 39 & 40 grain pills are deadly to 500 meters. Keep it simple & you will love this project. mike in ct ps: remember this rebarrel job is going to cost as much as that rifle. so choose wisely. pm me for a sad story on a CZ527 conversion.
 
@L.Sherm has built a lot of varmint 17 and 20 cals on the CZ 527. So he has a lot of experience with them and can tell you the "do's and dont's" with the build.

Best of luck with your new 20 cal varminter. You'll be hooked like the rest of us in no time ;)
 
I went with a kinder, gentler version; 20-222. It seems fast enough, although I don't have a crony to check it. It is my hope that my barrel will last a coons age: My brass seems to. Haven't shot anything bigger than squirrels with it, and no bullets heavier than 32's. It loves V-max's which are pretty durned cheap, and BLC, which meters like water. jd
 
I went with a kinder, gentler version; 20-222. It seems fast enough, although I don't have a crony to check it. It is my hope that my barrel will last a coons age: My brass seems to. Haven't shot anything bigger than squirrels with it, and no bullets heavier than 32's. It loves V-max's which are pretty durned cheap, and BLC, which meters like water. jd

BLC-2 is one of my "go to" powders in any of the 20 cals bigger than the 20VT. I have always found great speed and accuracy with it.
 

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