20 Practical Questions

[FALPhil]

I am thinking about obtaining a 20 cal barrel for my Savage Model 12. The 20 Practical is very appealing because I don't have to worry about changing the bolt head, and I have a Redding Type S neck sizer in 223 Rem.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there any advantage to "Ackleyizing" the 20 Practical?
2. If I need to body size, can I use the 223 Rem FL sizer,or 223 Ackley FL sizer, if 20 Prackley makes sense) after necking the 223 brass down?
3. Do flat base bullets work best in 20 Practical?
4. Would a 1:10 twist give me better flexibility across all bullet weights, or will I lose accuracy with with the 32 gr and lighter bullets?

 

[FALPhil]

Nobody loads for 20 Practical?

 

[JohnD]

1. Don't know but I've often wondered myself. 2. You can use a .223 body die or a .223 bushing die. 3. I've shot flat base and boattail and they both shoot well. 4. I've shot alot of light bullets in twists that would normally be too fast and never had a problem. Regards, John.

 

[traumanut]

IMO there is no use in improving the 20 practical. The purpose behind Warren B"s design was to make it simple. .223 case necked to .204 and shoot. You will achieve the same velocities as the improved versions. 20 tac will shoot 32gr at 4200-4300. I shoot a .20 with a 35 degree shoulder and achieve the same, 26.5gr reloader 10x and 32gr vmax at 4300.
Your smith that you choose should be able to chamber the barrel so all you would have to do is neck size. I have loaded some of my cases multiple times and have found no need to full length size. I have shot multiple bullets through mine from 32gr to 40, both factory,sierra, vmax)also unmussig 38gr. Have found outstanding accuracy with all. 32's flat base and 38 and 40's boattail. Mine is an 11 twist pacnor. I think you are right the 10 twist might not stabilize to lighter bullets. Again you should be able to use your .223 neck sizer with one or two bushings of you choice. It depends on the neck diameter you choose. I hope this helps!

 

[DogBuster]

I am thinking about obtaining a 20 cal barrel for my Savage Model 12. The 20 Practical is very appealing because I don't have to worry about changing the bolt head, and I have a Redding Type S neck sizer in 223 Rem.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there any advantage to "Ackleyizing" the 20 Practical?
2. If I need to body size, can I use the 223 Rem FL sizer,or 223 Ackley FL sizer, if 20 Prackley makes sense) after necking the 223 brass down?
3. Do flat base bullets work best in 20 Practical?
4. Would a 1:10 twist give me better flexibility across all bullet weights, or will I lose accuracy with with the 32 gr and lighter bullets?

20 PT is fine as is..
I use a 223 FL match die to size when needed...w/o expander..223 bushing neck die to neck size...Forster BR seater in 204 Ruger to seat..
I use only 40 V max..BTs fly flatter at LR...
My Pac Nor PT is a 12 twist with no problems with 40 Vs

 

[FALPhil]

Thanks, guys.

I guess I better get to ordering my barrel!

 

[BJILEG]

Weaver Rifles in Colorado has built several 20 Practicals and does great work,his reamer is PTG,you may want to check with him,,my 20 Practical shot very well and Kevin shoots one himself..719-683-3024 KEVIN WEAVER

 

[race4hills]

Kevin Weaver also did a 20 Practical for me, shoots great! Give Kevin a call, he has reamers for both the 20 Practical and the 20 Pratical AI and get his thoughts.

 

[Rodbolt]

I really like the 20 cals, the 20 Practical is a great cartridge but to say it gets the same velocity as a 20-223 Improved/20Tac is not correct. I have quite a number of .20's The 20 Tac holds more powder then the Practical and loaded to the same pressure/barrel will be faster, a 204Ruger with a custom chamber will beat the 20 Improved or Tac a bit and the 20BR will best them all by quite a bit. If you are only going to shoot light bullets,32gr) the 20/223 is fine but you will give up the long range ability that a 39gr bullet will bring. If short range,~300yard) and light bullets is all that's needed, just shoot a 223 with 40gr bullets. I've found that a 204Ruger match chamber in a good 26",or+) barrel and 39gr bullets works well out to 500yds plus. Winchester brass costs exactly the same in .223 or 204Ruger plus no custom/extra price dies or necking down/fireforming etc., so I can find no advantage to a .223 based 20 cal, unless you want Lapua brass for competition,?). Even then a 20 cal isn't considered a competitive target caliber. I do like the 20BR but after buying 1200 rounds of Lapua brass,$$'s!!) and multiple step forming it, I can't say I can justify the expense or labor over a good 204Ruger for the dog towns in South Dakota.