20 Practical Specs

[Mike in Oregon]

First of all, I'm sorry for all the questions regarding this topic. All this wildcat stuff is new to me.

I have a 20VT being built with a .234" Neck I.D and .015" free bore. Any reason why the 20 Practical can't be the same? I'm hearing anywhere from 0 FB to .015" FB. The bullet I have decided on is the Hornady 32-grain Vmax due to the 1:12 twist.

Thank you, guys, for your patients!

Mike...

 

[STS]

There's no reason at all the the 20P can't be the same neck diameter and freebore as your 20VT. I have several different chamberings in .22 caliber and all of the reamers are the same neck diameter. I can use the same neck turner on all of them. Unless you end up with something that would use one of the long 20 caliber bullets, your freebore length should work well also.

 

[Alguapo]

I went with the Shilen precuts. Screwed right into my Savage actions and they are spectacular. The two I call the twins are exactly the same. Same stocks,dies, scopes, powder, everything. Pretty much shoot into the same hole. We have found the 20 Prac to be pretty forgiving.

 

[L.Sherm]

I gotta ask why .015 freebore?
Unless you plan on shooting Lapua brass there is no reason to go .234 nk. Your just gonna work your necks more.
If you are gonna shoot Lapua brass you better make sure the .200 line is .377

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I gotta ask why .015 freebore?
Unless you plan on shooting Lapua brass there is no reason to go .234 nk. Your just gonna work your necks more.
If you are gonna shoot Lapua brass you better make sure the .200 line is .377

Not using Lapua. Starline sir.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

There's no reason at all the the 20P can't be the same neck diameter and freebore as your 20VT. I have several different chambering in .22 caliber and all of the reamers are the same neck diameter. I can use the same neck turner on all of them. Unless you end up with something that would use one of the long 20 caliber bullets, your freebore length should work well also.

Sorta what I was thinking. Thank you!

 

[TheCZKid]

My 20VT is .232, as I don't use Lapua 221 FB as my starting point, so .234 was a bit large and would cause your necks to be worked a bit more. I'd think same .232 would be good for the 20 Practical as well. I turn my necks to .012 for the 20P (same as the 20VT), just to take them to a uniform thickness, and that makes the .232 a good option for my loading.

 

[L.Sherm]

Not using Lapua. Starline sir.

Your gonna work the necks alot with a .234 nk probably about. 006 clearance. I would also make sure if you dont want to use a small base die everytime you resize your brass it is .376 min at the .220 line.
Theres some .374 reamers floating around and all the 223 FL dies ive had size the brass back to .375 at the .200 line

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Your gonna work the necks alot with a .234 nk probably about. 006 clearance. I would also make sure if you dont want to use a small base die everytime you resize your brass it is .376 min at the .220 line.
Theres some .374 reamers floating around and all the 223 FL dies ive had size the brass back to .375 at the .200 line

Remember "All this wildcat stuff is new to me". I get what you're saying, but it seems like opinions vary. No disrespect intended sir. I guess there more than one way to skin a cat???

I defiantly want the same size necks for both VT and the P. Thats in a no brainer! And my thoughts on FB, to me that makes sense to have .015" to allow for different bullets and their ogives.

 

[searcher]

Remember "All this wildcat stuff is new to me". I get what you're saying, but it seems like opinions vary. No disrespect intended sir. I guess there more than one way to skin a cat???

I defiantly want the same size necks for both VT and the P. Thats in a no brainer! And my thoughts on FB, to me that makes sense to have .015" to allow for different bullets and their ogives.

Yes - and most of our best .20 cal. varmint bullets like to jump in the P - I'd guess to expect the same in the VT.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Your 12 twist should handle the Sierra 39 BlitzKing well. Definitely worth a try. I pretty much agree with what others have said about using .232 neck, .015 FB and the Lapua size base dimension. I know you are kinda new to the idea of a wildcat but these are easy, just make sure that you don't set the shoulders back too much while making up your brass. Also, L.Sherm has a lot of experience with these type cartridges so take what he says as the voice of a lot of experience. Enjoy your new rifles.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Your 12 twist should handle the Sierra 39 BlitzKing well. Definitely worth a try. I pretty much agree with what others have said about using .232 neck, .015 FB and the Lapua size base dimension. I know you are kinda new to the idea of a wildcat but these are easy, just make sure that you don't set the shoulders back too much while making up your brass. Also, L.Sherm has a lot of experience with these type cartridges so take what he says as the voice of a lot of experience. Enjoy your new rifles.

Thank you! L.Sherm has helped me greatly!

 

[B23]

First of all, I'm sorry for all the questions regarding this topic. All this wildcat stuff is new to me.

I have a 20VT being built with a .234" Neck I.D and .015" free bore. Any reason why the 20 Practical can't be the same? I'm hearing anywhere from 0 FB to .015" FB. The bullet I have decided on is the Hornady 32-grain Vmax due to the 1:12 twist.

Thank you, guys, for your patients!

Mike...

Hey, I'm all for adding more rifles to ones collection and nothing against the 20VT but if you're already wanting a 20 Practical why not just start with one of those call it a day and be done. I'm not all that old, yet, but being in my mid 50's I've found the older I get the more I appreciate the idea of less time tinkering more time shooting. Everything about the 20 Prac from components to everything else is just so darn easy it can barely even be called a "wildcat" cartridge and they feed/eject slick as hell in just about any and all small bolt face action.

If you're ordering a reamer for either JGS Precision is one of THE best reamer manufacturers available and they're right there in your home state of Oregon. The folks at JGS Prec. are awesome I'd give them a call tell them what you plan to use for brass/bullets and they'll steer you in the right direction on which reamer will be best for your application.

Personal choice but I'd look at ordering a zero FB reamer then make up a dummy round with the bullet seated wherever you want it then have you smith throat it accordingly that way you aren't locked in to any particular FB length.