.20 Caliber vs. .22 Caliber.

[Tommie]

I’m done with 22 cals for varminting. The 20’s are amazing. A 40 grain VMax running 3800 FPS shoots flatter and bucks wind better than any 22 cal varmint bullet out of a 220 Swift.

Less powder, lower recoil and superior external ballistics. What’s not to love?

 

[284winner]

Geez guys, you just don't stop with the endless praise of these 20s. You all have me looking into my future toy for sending ground hogs to hog heaven. Haven't even hardly began my newest build and already thinking of another. Maybe the best and least expensive way is going to the Savage 12 FV that Cabela's so often runs a sale on for my first experience. Just may be a decision I won't regret and more will evolve from there. Love the thought of air rifle recoil vs building a very heavy rifle to offset that issue.

 

[284winner]

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.

You guys really got me thinking about looking at a 204 in my near future BUT don't you think comparing a 204 in 40 Vmax to a 55 btsp is bit like apples/oranges ? Wouldn't it be a little more fair comparing it to the 53 Vmax for the 224 ? I love my 22-250s and really loving the specs of these 20s but I have to believe the huge advantage is lower recoil and less powder use to get very close performance. Tough to beat a 53 Vmax from a 22-250 AI at 4000 +fps from a 30" barrel. I'm certainly giving the 20 a field test in the future for a comparison as I love the way it sounds at this point.

 

[nmkid]

As I posted earlier I really like my 20 P but, that's old news now in my loading room. Next, a 22 Creedmoor launching, 80 gr.Bergers at 3400 fps. Barrel already on order. New stock already in my grubby hands. Another barrel burner. What's not to love! Life is short!

 

[284winner]

As I posted earlier I really like my 20 P but, that's old news now in my loading room. Next, a 22 Creedmoor launching, 80 gr.Bergers at 3400 fps. Barrel already on order. New stock already in my grubby hands. Another barrel burner. What's not to love! Life is short!

Definitely gonna experience the 204 Ruger for giggles. If I like it, maybe assemble a 20/223 AI. Your correct, life is short.

 

[varmintshooter]

If I were you I would start off with a 20 vt. If you don't like that, well you could always take up golf. I resisted getting one for a while but did end up getting a cooper varminter m38 in 20 vt and it quickly became my main Ghog gun with kills out to 504 yds. Hardly any recoil, good velocity with very little powder, good barrel life and very accurate. If you shoot suppressed it will put a smile on your face.

 

[jepp2]

Are there any reports on barrel life?

I have heard all different kind of estimates on barrel life. I will share the ones I know about for sure:

- A friend that shoots a lot of PD's uses a 204 Ruger and only shoots factory 32 gr loads (GFL that run 3850 out of my 26" barrel Rem) and his barrels last 3000-3500 rounds. These are factory Savage barrels, and he has Savage rebarrel them. Has gone through several.

- I asked my smith (the creator the 20P) what I should expect for barrel life, he got just over 5000 on his first one. He tends to load hotter than I do.

I have spread my use across several, so I should be finishing my first one this year. I don't push the velocities that much. I run the 32 gr at around 3800. So I will have better input after my May shoot.

 

[jepp2]

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.

The best rifle I have for seeing hits is my AR rifle. I use the A2 stock with the 3 lb. 11 oz. lead butt stock weight. The combination of the straight in-line barrel to action to butt stock keeps it from rising. The added weight in the butt stock really tames any rearward movement. The balance on the rifle is terrible, but the combination of lack of movement and the next round being ready to fire, makes it the death ray on pups. I could explain what I am able to see, but I will keep it clean and not share those details. I can react so much quicker before they take cover, it just isn't fair.

 

[chuckshooter]

Unfortunately for your wallet, 20 cal's are like Lays potato chips. You can't have just one. I think I am up to 15 now. Extremely habit forming.

 

[steve123]

Unfortunately for your wallet, 20 cal's are like Lays potato chips. You can't have just one. I think I am up to 15 now. Extremely habit forming.

Just a general reply

After seeing the performance of my 5mmFBI, which is another form of 20-221AI, let's say out to 500Y on steel, I plan to just stay with this 20 cal cartridge. The tiny little case that acts like a big case, with small amounts of powder/17.7gr. A mild load that gives 3740 fps/32gr in a 25" barrel. I don't plan on wearing this barrel out in my lifetime. Most notable to me is how cool the barrel remains when shooting longer strings which makes for extended long range plinking, vs other cartridges that would ruin a barrel quickly via excessive heat shot at the same pace.

Next step for me is going to be 223AI with 75's to shoot farther out with higher BC bullets and stay with low amount of powder concept coupled with low recoil.

 

[Bangs OH]

You guys really got me thinking about looking at a 204 in my near future BUT don't you think comparing a 204 in 40 Vmax to a 55 btsp is bit like apples/oranges ? Wouldn't it be a little more fair comparing it to the 53 Vmax for the 224 ? I love my 22-250s and really loving the specs of these 20s but I have to believe the huge advantage is lower recoil and less powder use to get very close performance. Tough to beat a 53 Vmax from a 22-250 AI at 4000 +fps from a 30" barrel. I'm certainly giving the 20 a field test in the future for a comparison as I love the way it sounds at this point.

Indeed, it might be a bit more fair to compare the 40 gr. .204R to the 53 V-Max. But, the problem is (or was): few factory, or even custom .22-250 rifles, have/had barrel twist rates faster than a 1:14" rate; the 53 V-max needs at least 1:12 for stabilization. While acquiring my three .204s I got rid of my .22-250, not only because terminal ballistics with the heavier .204 bullets were equal to the 50-55 gr. '250s, wind drift was actually less. Also, in addition to the aforementioned lack of recoil and less muzzle blast, accuracy seemed a little more inherent in the .204.
But yeah, you're correct that a .22-250 AI running 53 VMs over 4K fps would sure level the field. I bought a 12-twist Savage FV to try the 53s now and maybe AI later. Will see if the higher BC and speed give that sometimes-needed "edge" over the .204 for groundhogs and coyotes at longer ranges.

 

[Tim s]

You guys really got me thinking about looking at a 204 in my near future BUT don't you think comparing a 204 in 40 Vmax to a 55 btsp is bit like apples/oranges ? Wouldn't it be a little more fair comparing it to the 53 Vmax for the 224 ? I love my 22-250s and really loving the specs of these 20s but I have to believe the huge advantage is lower recoil and less powder use to get very close performance. Tough to beat a 53 Vmax from a 22-250 AI at 4000 +fps from a 30" barrel. I'm certainly giving the 20 a field test in the future for a comparison as I love the way it sounds at this point.

I used that because that is what I shoot and over the years probably more 55 grain slugs have been used in a 22-250 than anything else.
Given that it's BC is 290, that's a draw.
I guess we're left with, easier to shoot, minimal recoil, superb inherent accuracy, 35% less powder, vastly increased barrel life, less noise( always helpful for Eastern chuck/crow shooters)? Oh well.
Besides with a 22-250AI I'd guess 1/2 those varmits die from the muzzle blast.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Does anyone out there have a 20 VarTarg Turbo Reamer print or reamer print number that they'll share with me ? - Or is it just a matter of using the 20 VarTarg Reamer & going the necessary length so as to facilitate use of .222 Rem. brass ? - I E-mailed JGS & Sarah told me the do not have a VarTarg Turbo print.

Thank You in advance - Ron -

 

[Hoodoo]

Does anyone out there have a 20 VarTarg Turbo Reamer print or reamer print number that they'll share with me ? - Or is it just a matter of using the 20 VarTarg Reamer & going the necessary length so as to facilitate use of .222 Rem. brass ? - I E-mailed JGS & Sarah told me the do not have a VarTarg Turbo print.

Thank You in advance - Ron -

Maybe email Dave Manson, he might have one.

 

[chuckshooter]

Does anyone out there have a 20 VarTarg Turbo Reamer print or reamer print number that they'll share with me ? - Or is it just a matter of using the 20 VarTarg Reamer & going the necessary length so as to facilitate use of .222 Rem. brass ? - I E-mailed JGS & Sarah told me the do not have a VarTarg Turbo print.

Thank You in advance - Ron -

 

[hogpatrol]

My vote's for the 20 Practical. Cheap brass if you want to use it, good bullets available (vmax, bk, berger, bib and Nosler), loads like the 6BR (just about anything works) and accurate in 10, 11 and 12 twists. To really make it sing, use BIB 40 grain boat tails. Works great in an AR platform too.

 

[fredo]

A .223Rem parent case just BEGS to do something with! Neck up, down, or blow it out. But having all that brass easily (and cheaply) available is a strong lure for the varmint shooter...

AI the parent case and you can run a fast twist to throw 75-80s from a .223AI. If wind is an issue for your varmint shooting, this is a good option. I killed a lot of chucks just fireforming for my .223AI, and it is quite the nasty bugger!

Neck DOWN to a .20Prac, and you've got a heckuva flat shooting, splatterific little devil! Just know, it'll get HOT during long string. So, if p-dogs are you're main target, that might not be ideal?

Neck UP to a 6x45, and you can run a frangible 70 blitzking for days. Mild load won't get too hot, and you'll have ooodles of barrel life. I know 6mm wasn't on your list, but it's just as easy to neck up as it is down, so...

After having a .20TAC and .204Ruger, I'd build a .20PRAC on an AR, or a .20-223AI on a bolt gun. Ad only because I could spec my chamber on a bolt gun just how I want it. Lapua brass, no turn neck, and get after it!

Have fun, ya really can't go wrong with any 20...

 

[284winner]

Indeed, it might be a bit more fair to compare the 40 gr. .204R to the 53 V-Max. But, the problem is (or was): few factory, or even custom .22-250 rifles, have/had barrel twist rates faster than a 1:14" rate; the 53 V-max needs at least 1:12 for stabilization. While acquiring my three .204s I got rid of my .22-250, not only because terminal ballistics with the heavier .204 bullets were equal to the 50-55 gr. '250s, wind drift was actually less. Also, in addition to the aforementioned lack of recoil and less muzzle blast, accuracy seemed a little more inherent in the .204.
But yeah, you're correct that a .22-250 AI running 53 VMs over 4K fps would sure level the field. I bought a 12-twist Savage FV to try the 53s now and maybe AI later. Will see if the higher BC and speed give that sometimes-needed "edge" over the .204 for groundhogs and coyotes at longer ranges.

I think the 204 will add a real neat gun to the collection for ground hogs and coyotes. Look forward to that experience. I'll definitely post my results in the future. Thanks

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

chuckshooter,

Thank You Very Much !!!
I Appreciate This !!

- Ron -

 

[Hoodoo]

Literally everything @fredo said.