RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Just as the evolution of 223 took a long time for "most" folks and government teams to learn that longer higher BC bullets can stretch out the reach of that caliber... there is a similar evolution with the 204 Ruger that has taken time.
For example, to keep our story short lets just say that it took too long to migrate the AR15 223 platform from M-193 class bullets at 55 grains, up to the 77 grain class bullets. For that same 1300 to 1500 Ft*Lb energy, the platform can deliver the energy further down range and at an advantage in windage.
So, now jump to 20 caliber and it is a similar metaphor. This is just my own opinion, and it doesn't come with metrics or evidence, so take it for what it is worth, just killing time here... The marketing on the 204 Ruger pushed speed because it is popular with low information shoppers. So, they throw out velocities like +4000 FPS and it sells to some degree cause people liked the notion of having the fastest factory cartridge, etc.. That this is typically reported for a stubby 32 grain bullet doesn't seem to matter to many folks.
Then in time, folks take a look and see that 20 cal is interesting in that for similar bullet weights to the 223, a 20 cal always performs better since the BC will be significantly higher. So, when you look at a 40 VMax in 223 and compare it to a 20 cal 40 VMax, it almost doesn't matter what cartridge we put behind it, the 20 cal will outperform the 22. You only have to take any AR and screw on a 20 Practical bbl and you will find that it is an improvement over the original 223, with the exception of the generally available bullet weights and bbl twists.
So now we look for even higher BC and sectional density and we find that the practical availability seems to end with the Sierra 39 and the Hornady 40 VMax and you can easily find bbls with the right twist for these. Not so much when the discussion turns to pushing for the same high BC analogy on 20 cals that has evolved on other cals. To do this high BC migration with 20 cal, we are into cottage industry bullets and DIY bbls and chamberings to get into the same territory. Which many of us think is a shame.
Those 20 cal 60 grain hunting bullets will out perform a similar 22cal one in terms of BC, so to me they represent more energy down range.... and that is to me a thing of beauty which is in the eye of the beholder. In the AR platform, I think the 204 Ruger should have been more available in 55 or 65 grains all along. YMMV
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