.20 Caliber vs. .22 Caliber.

[onelastshot]

I'm thinking of building another varmint rifle. I've got a couple of .22 caliber rifles but nothing in the .20 caliber. I've never owned a .20 caliber rifle. I was just curious, what if any advantage is there for the .20 caliber as opposed to the .22? There are a lot more .22 caliber bullets to choose from as opposed to the .20 and the .22 has the edge in terms of range.

What advantages are there with the .20?

 

[jepp2]

What advantages are there with the .20?

I was exactly where you are, several years ago. I saw a "steal" on GB for a NIB Rem 700 VS SF II in 204 Ruger. Just didn't want to have to convert to the smaller caliber cleaning system, didn't know how fast it would foul, etc. etc. So an hour later someone else was the proud owner of that rifle.

Finally I decided I needed to at least give it a try. WOW! To answer your question: "what advantages are there with the .20" for me it is speed which flattens the trajectory, splat factor, reduced barrel heat, and also reduced recoil to move me off the target - since I do all my own spotting.

I find all the bullets I need, so that isn't a factor for me. While I do shoot my 204R still, it isn't my favorite 20 cal. I also shoot 20P (my favorite and workhorse) and 20 Bobcat. Like I have read many others say in various forums, once you shoot a 20, it will become your caliber of choice in the field.

 

[onelastshot]

I was exactly where you are, several years ago. I saw a "steal" on GB for a NIB Rem 700 VS SF II in 204 Ruger. Just didn't want to have to convert to the smaller caliber cleaning system, didn't know how fast it would foul, etc. etc. So an hour later someone else was the proud owner of that rifle.

Finally I decided I needed to at least give it a try. WOW! To answer your question: "what advantages are there with the .20" for me it is speed which flattens the trajectory, splat factor, reduced barrel heat, and also reduced recoil to move me off the target - since I do all my own spotting.

I find all the bullets I need, so that isn't a factor for me. While I do shoot my 204R still, it isn't my favorite 20 cal. I also shoot 20P (my favorite and workhorse) and 20 Bobcat. Like I have read many others say in various forums, once you shoot a 20, it will become your caliber of choice in the field.

Thank you. I hadn't considered recoil. I didn't think there would be any discernible difference in the recoil.

 

[wholman]

Like already been said speed less recoil.

 

[jepp2]

Less powder. But for rifles I use all the time, increased weight is a bigger reducer of recoil.

I normally shoot on 24X, so even minor changes in recoil can be significant on sight picture changes

 

[johnfred1965]

the .22 has the edge in terms of range.

I wouldn't say that. 39blitzking has a higher BC for the .20, than the 50BK in .22. I have heard the 39/40 bullets in a .204R mimic the trajectory of the 22-250. I have the 204 and my brother has a 22-250, and I think I've got him by just a touch. I don't know how far the 204 with shoot, but my longest PD was 650yds.

 

[onelastshot]

I wouldn't say that. 39blitzking has a higher BC for the .20, than the 50BK in .22. I have heard the 39/40 bullets in a .204R mimic the trajectory of the 22-250. I have the 204 and my brother has a 22-250, and I think I've got him by just a touch. I don't know how far the 204 with shoot, but my longest PD was 650yds.

Learning a lot this morning; I never considered a .20 caliber would be considered a 600 yard shooter, I thought it would fill the 300-400 yard range.

 

[nmkid]

My .20 Practical is by far my most enjoyable rifle to shoot! Hardly any recoil and 40 gr. Vmax's doing this at 3750 fps.

 

[johnfred1965]

Learning a lot this morning; I never considered a .20 caliber would be considered a 600 yard shooter, I thought it would fill the 300-400 yard range.

They have smaller 20's for that. I am putting the finishing touches on a 20vartarg, a necked down 221 fireball. They say it is a solid 300 yard cartridge, but I'm sure it can be stretched to 400 in a pinch! There is another 20 cal thread going on right now, pushing the 20 practical (223 necked down) If I had heard of it before I bought my 204R, I would have gone that way. Only give up about 100FPS, and I"ve got a ton of 223brass.

 

[onelastshot]

They have smaller 20's for that. I am putting the finishing touches on a 20vartarg, a necked down 221 fireball. They say it is a solid 300 yard cartridge, but I'm sure it can be stretched to 400 in a pinch! There is another 20 cal thread going on right now, pushing the 20 practical (223 necked down) If I had heard of it before I bought my 204R, I would have gone that way. Only give up about 100FPS, and I"ve got a ton of 223brass.

Like you, I've got a ton of 223 brass so a 20 practical would make sense for me. From what I know, it's just a matter of necking down the brass.

 

[jepp2]

From what I know, it's just a matter of necking down the brass.

That is all there is to it. Folks vary the steps they take. I do mine in 3 steps, but it can be done in less.

Just something else to consider, there are more options for brass in the 20P than the 204 Ruger. Try to find some Lapua in 204 Ruger.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Like the OP and most of you, I used to shoot 22's, but Randy Robinett of BIB Bullets (my supplier of 30 cal BR bullets in the day) kept remarking that people always seem to miss high when shooting the 20 calibers. I got out of competitive BR a few years ago and went back to playing with varmint rifles. About the same time I "discovered" the Dakota Predator/Varminter line of rifles and fell in love all over again. They are the most perfect rifle I have ever come across for PD shooting with 223 family of cartridges, so this "discovery" has cost me a lot of money. My 1st one was in 223, but that was followed by a 20VT and I was bitten severely by the 20 cal bug. I have 14 Dakotas now and only four are not 20 cal. In my experience any of the 20 cals based on 221FB, 222 or 223 are a winner. My best are the 20-221FB AI launching 32 gr bullets at 4000 fps+ and 20-223AI launching 40 gr bullets at 4000 fps+. And these rifles give consistent .2-.3 accuracy. Additionally, I would say the 221FB based cartridges are good out to about 400 yds, and the 223 based cartridges good to 500+ as was said above. These cartridges are all major over achievers, so try any of them and be amazed.

 

[marchboom]

I see a lot of 4000+ FPS velocities from the 20 cal. bullets. Are there any reports on barrel life? Seems like the barrels would wear out much quicker than a .22 centerfire round with approx 3400-3600 FPS.

That being said, I seriously considering a 20 Practical.

 

[nmkid]

I do my cases in 2 steps for the .20 P. But, I'm retired so I have plenty of time to mess around the bench.

 

[Schism]

I own a handful of rifles chambered in 223 and 22-250 and shot them for years while hunting coyotes or shooting prairie dogs. About 5 years ago I bought my first 204 in a CZ527. That was the beginning of my 20 caliber bug! I now own a couple of 204’s, a 20 practical, and am gearing up to build a 20 vartarg.

For me it’s a combination of the low recoil, lower sound report, flat trajectory, and the modest powder charges required that make the 20’s so appealing.

 

[Tim s]

I've owned several .17's spent most of my life hunting chucks with a 22-250 including a 40X with a a 27 1/4" barrel that pushes 55 gr Sierra's @3900 fps+ and is a laser. Even use a 14 Walker hornet on occaision.
There is nothing, repeat nothing, as efficient, as one of the better 20's.
I've got two Dakota's, both in 20TAC, both with 25 1/2" Lilja's.
What a lot of guys do not properly understand is that a 40 Vmax, for instance, has a BC almost 50% higher than a 22 cal 55 grain btsp. You push that 3900 fps with less than 26 grains of powder and stupid low, see everything in the scope, recoil, I have a few 22 CF rigs for sale.
204 and TAC are ballistically identical but I preffer the TAC cause I don't shoot volume and you have BR grade Lapua brass which you don't even need to neck turn.
You will never regret it.

 

[Hoodoo]

I went with the 20 Practical, Lilja 12 twist Remington Varmint barrel. Stupid accurate, low recoil, and awesome "Splat" factor. Easy to find brass, and even easier to make brass. I neck mine down in two steps, and it's literally that simple. There is an article on here about the 20 practical, explains it all very well. http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

Follow his steps and you'll never look back.

 

[RGRobinett]

For critters, build a 20 cal and don't look back . . . but initiate a new barrel/cartridge/rifle savings account - they're habit forming. With 40 Gr. and up bullets, I rate the 204 and its like - 2- Prac, Tac., etc., every bit the equal of a .22/250, and the 20BR, akin to a .220 Swift Ack. Imp. on energy drink. Prior to experiencing and accepting the reality, I did have to swallow some crow - but my pals forgave me. Oh, [almost] never let any daylight get between the two hairlines. RG

 

[drover]

I bought into the .204 less recoil, seeing your hits, thing a few years ago and bought a Cooper Varminter to match my Cooper Varminter in 223 Rem. I use 40 gr bullets in my 223 so I tried 40 gr bullets in the .204 - Surprise!! There was no discernible difference in recoil. I then went to the online calcuator JBM Ballistics and ran the numbers - the .204 uses the same amount of powder as as the 223 Rem with the 39/40 gr bullets. If you run the recoil tables they are actually the same amount of recoil unless you drop down to the 32 gr bullet then the recoil drops to only a half-pound less than using the 40 gr bullets.

As far as barrel life - if you run the same amount of powder down a smaller diameter hole then the barrel life will be less, all other things being equal, perhaps not a lot but there will be a difference/

The only way I can see the real advantage of the 20 calibers is to go to a smaller cartridge such as the Vartarg or something similar, use 32 gr bullets and then you will notice the difference. Since the 20 Practical use the nearly the same reloading data as the the .204 I would not expect much difference other than cheaper brass. There is no free lunch.

drover

 

[SS427]

After my first 20 VarTarg I got another one I liked it so well. I had three .223s and a .22-250 when I got the first 20VT. I've since sold the .22-250, one of the .223s and am on the verge of selling a second .223. If the .223 doesn't sell, and I'm not trying hard to sell it, it will get rebarreled as a .20 Practical. That's how much I like 20 calibers.

I hunt sage rats and I use high power scopes. So even with the 20VT and the lighter recoil, I don't see that many of my hits. Not sure what technique people are using that say they can see all their hits. Must be how the rifle is held.

Advantages of the 20 calibers include Lapua brass for the 20VT and the Practical, lighter recoil to some degree with the Practical and for sure with the 20VT sized cartridges, and with the 20VT less powder used. A pound of powder goes a long ways when you only use 18 grains per 20VT round.