20 practical barrel length?

[Leveraction35]

I’m considering having a bolt action built as a dedicated coyote rifle. I’d really like to be in the 18 m” neighborhood so the gun will still be pretty handy with a suppressor on it. Would an 18” 20 practical stunt the cartridge too much?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I’m considering having a bolt action built as a dedicated coyote rifle. I’d really like to be in the 18 m” neighborhood so the gun will still be pretty handy with a suppressor on it. Would an 18” 20 practical stunt the cartridge too much?

What bullet?

 

[hogpatrol]

I have an XP100 with a 16" barrel. Still accurate. With 40s, around 100 fps slower mv than a bolt with 22" and an AR with 24".

 

[Mark M.]

I believe 22" is optimal

 

[L.Sherm]

I run 24" because I like some weight in the barrel in a " hot" rat patch.
It will be no different than any other cartridge running a 24 vrs 18

 

[pdhntr]

I’m considering having a bolt action built as a dedicated coyote rifle. I’d really like to be in the 18 m” neighborhood so the gun will still be pretty handy with a suppressor on it. Would an 18” 20 practical stunt the cartridge too much?

I have been using the 20 P for coyotes for many years in many configurations.

In your case I would try to locate some 35 gr. Bergers. Using these with a little faster powder would make for a great combination in a shorter barrel.

I have shot enough coyotes with the 35 Berger and 40 Vmax to know they both work well.

Jim

 

[Tommie]

More barrel length is free velocity. If weight is a concern for a yote gun just use a lighter profile barrel.

 

[searcher]

You can expect to lose around 25-30 FPS per inch of barrel loss. If you do the 20P and intend to keep pelts, the Varmint Grenade and Lead Free Ballistic Tips tend to open up really quickly, dumping the energy and not exiting. If not keeping pelts, I'd forego the 20P in favor of a larger caliber - even a .223. I"ve shot a lot of coyotes that got away wounded shooting with my .20P's, as opposed to .223's and up.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have a 22" on my AR and run a suppressor on it, haven't wished it was shorter yet. But I think you would be fine with 18 or 20. At night velocity is your friend, as flat shooting as possible helps stay off the edges of coyote.

 

[TRSR8]

I’m considering having a bolt action built as a dedicated coyote rifle. I’d really like to be in the 18 m” neighborhood so the gun will still be pretty handy with a suppressor on it. Would an 18” 20 practical stunt the cartridge too much?

Yes

 

[1lessdog]

I’m considering having a bolt action built as a dedicated coyote rifle. I’d really like to be in the 18 m” neighborhood so the gun will still be pretty handy with a suppressor on it. Would an 18” 20 practical stunt the cartridge too much?

There are so many good calibers out there. Why would you settle on a pop gun like a 20 practical. To me even a 223 is a pop gun. I like a 22-250 or 220 Swift, 22-6MM or 22-6MM AI in a 224 caliber. I have had so many people say it just a Coyote when you talk about a bad hit.

That's my 2 cents worth

 

[Leveraction35]

Looking towards the 22arc rather than the 20Prac. 22-250-esqe numbers without the need for all the barrel length

 

[searcher]

Looking towards the 22arc rather than the 20Prac. 22-250-esqe numbers without the need for all the barrel length

I have several .20P's and a few .22 Nosler's in both A/R and bolt gun. Have shot a LOT of coyotes with .223's and .20P's. The .223's (with bullets of 50 grain and over) knock the coyotes down with FAR more authority than the 20P - and much more of them STAY down. The .22 Nosler (quite similar to the .22 ARC) does it even better - no comparison with the 20P using 39-40 grain bullets. I think you are headed down a better road with the ARC. The coyotes I have shot with my 20P's were usually (but not always) "opportunity" shots while shooting ground squirrels, and I always wished I had one of my larger guns in hand after a number of them were shot. I absolutely think the 20P is the best thing ever for squirrels and sage rats , though!!!

 

[Leveraction35]

Great feedback thank you

 

[JB10]

I went with a 22in when i built mine. While it works i kinda wish i went 20in. Just due to its suppressed and that ads 6 inches. I think the 20cal is fine depending on coyote size. In Arizona where i hunt you get a lot of small dogs that are thin and not much to them. I have only had 1 runner from a 20 cal and it was a bad shot on my behalf. I had to play over the stand. It got hit but i shot through some vegetation and think that might have effected where it actually got hit vs where i aimed. One of my first ones with 40gr vmax had a golf ball size exit hole but it fell right down. Ive had runners with a 108 in a 6 creed