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20 Practical on AR?

trappst

Gonna do my first "black rifle" build this year and I want something different. So, after reading the articles here and elsewhere I've decided to do a 20 Practical.

I'll be ordering the barrel from Shilen and everything is pretty much decided except for a concern that was raised in reference to the reamer. Specifically, the diffence between a bolt action and AR reamer.....

Keep in mind, the info I was given was just a concern and not concrete. I'm not certain that Shilen has actually chambered an AR barrel for the 20P yet.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Will a "standard" reamer allow the AR to function properly or could I run into problems? Or am I just way off in left field on this?

Thanks in advance!
 
We are working on a 20 Practical AR with Robert Whitley. We've got the reamer and most of the parts. Just waiting on the barrels. We did get a Kiff,PT&G) reamer that has more neck clearance that you'd might run with a bolt action. Ask Dave for the Whitley 20 Practical reamer.

Hopefully within 6-8 weeks we'll have some initial test results for you.

Whitley builds very accurate match uppers. See:

http://www.6mmAR.com
 
Thanks fellas! I may have to call Shilen again and get some info on the reamer they have and compare it to the PT&G reamer.

I'm still waiting on some 20 cal bullets to arrive so I can get some dummy rounds made up.......I've got time.

Heck, I don't have ANY parts for the AR yet!:,
 
Trappst,
I am also planning to build a 20Prac on the AR platform. I have been wondering where to get the barrel and found this post. I'll be watching this post as I haven't started mine yet either. Let me know what you find out about those reamers, please.

Adam
 
I have seen Pac-Nor's 20 Practical reamer print and they use the real deal. They will also do an AR-15 barrel with it. I believe they have an outfit that specializes in the AR-15 do the chambering with their reamer. Give PacNor a call to confirm all of this.
 
Well, I've got emails out to Shilen and PT&G but am waiting for a response from both.

Fireball, I'm pretty sure Pac-Nor does use an outside source. If you click on their AR-15 barrel link it opens a totally different webpage.

Unfortunately, this build will take most of the year as I'm going to buy parts a little at a time. I do have a Mega lower and Stag upper on the way.

I'll let you all know what info I can gather. I'm hoping to avoid buying a reamer but if I do I guess someone here might buy it from me! :D
 
Yes now I remember, they use Noveske. Noveske is first class when it comes to AR-15s, they know what they are doing. They are also close to PacNor in Oregon. And like I said I have seen PacNor's 20 Practical reamer and it is the same exact reamer that Kevin and I used on the very first 20 Practicals.

I would definitely go through PacNor for a 20 Practical AR-15 barrel. I have known others who have used other AR-15 builders to their "20 Practicals" and the reamers were very long throated.
 
Thanks for the info Fireball! When you say Pac-Nor did yours and Kevin's barrels, are you talking about AR's?

I have no problem with Pac-Nor,have 20BR and 20VT) but I have yet to work with Shilen. I've heard/read such good things that I'm really wanting to give them a shot.

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just buying a reamer. I hate making decisions! My first barrel will only be 18" as I'm wanting to keep things compact for calling 'yotes. If it doesn't work out like I hope, I guess I can always have a longer barrel made very easily if I own the reamer.

What kind of things should I be concerned about with reamer design.....obviously neck diameter and throat....anything else?
 
I had Kevin Weaver of Weaver Rifles do the first 20 Practical:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

When I specified what I wanted I had in mind a short throated cartridge where light 32 grain bullets could be seated to the lands and still fit comfortably into an AR-15 magazine. It was my intent to eventually do a 20 Practical in an AR-15 as well as my Tikka. I never got around to it however.

My point is if PacNor has the real 20 Practical reamer designed for the AR-15, and they have a first rate AR-15 outfit chambering their barrels with it, why buy a reamer? I think PacNor is the "practical" 20 Practical AR-15 solution.

:)
 
Trappst/Fireball,
I have also been looking for an AR barrel in 20 Practical. My question is whose barrel would I be buying - Pac Nor or Noveske? On the Pac Nor site you are directed to Noveske for AR barrels but they don't list a 20 cal. barrel:confused:
 
Noveske doesn't make barrels, they just chamber them I believe. I bet the barrel would be a PacNor. But give them a call to confirm.
 
This is a really exciting possibility, using the 20 practical in an AR! I've been thinking about it myself. More than that though, a 20-221 would REALLY float my boat! I love the .221 FB, and it would be amazing to have a .20 cal version. Is their a reamer for such? I'd like to have a .20-221 and a .20 Practical in a Savage action, that would make for a sweet little switch barrel rifle!
 
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