20-Practical

[kory]

Fireball,

Great article on the 20 Pactical! Like your rifle too. I'm a big Tikka fan. I think it is one of the most under rated rifles out there.

In hindsight, I wish I had done the 20 Practical over the 20 Tactical. I went back and forth several times and choose the Tactical, but I'm getting tired of developing two loads for every cartridge I shoot.

Regards,
Kory

 

[Fireball]

Thank you Kory. You might want to try a faster powder in an attempt to develop just one load. I have a favorite fire forming load for my .20 PPC,I need to form for it as I am using .220 Rus brass) that also is an awesome load in a formed case. Yes, the exact same load. It is 27.5 gr. of H322 and barely fits into the .220 Rus. It fire forms the cases perfectly and is exceptionally accurate. So accurate that I use it as my medium distance prairie dog gun. Once the case is formed I can put the exact same load into the case with the same bullet and once again it is exceptionally accurate and around 100 fps faster. This load is listed in the .20 caliber reference section and I remember you asking me about it when you put the article together. Maybe I just lucked out but I bet you could find a similar load for the .20 Tactical, especially since you aren't changing the case too much when you fire form it. The .220 Rus case changes a lot when fire formed. I am still surprised how well this fire form load shoots before and after forming the case. BTW, I now use a different bullet in my formed cases,the 39 gr. BK) and have a new load for it, but it is neat that I can still use the original form load if I want to shoot the 32s.

 

[Forum Boss]

I just want to add my Kudos to Fireball for doing an exceptional job with this story. He worked very hard and produced an great "blueprint" from anyone looking to build a 20 on the .223 Rem case. The Practical 20 seems to offer nearly all the benefits of the Tac 20 with less fuss and less money out-of-pocket. That's a winning combination in my book.

Perhaps more people will now take a second look at that Tikka 595 action. It is indeed one of the best factory mag-fed actions out there. Shame on Tikka,now owned by Beretta) for taking it out of production. The new T3 has some neat qualities, but I'll take a 595 over it.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I just had to add, a "real good article" You guys are having "way " too much fun! Havn't got my 6BR set up yet and am drooling on the "Practical 20". And it's all your falt!

 

[Fireball]

Here are some Tikka M595 magazine photos I took years ago showing how the .22-250 magazine is perfect for feeding the 6mmBR case. Notice how the feed lips are farther forward than the .243 magazine. Also note the spacer that moves the .22-250 forward in the magazine. The M595 is a truely great rifle for the money. I remember brand new blued models being on the rack in 1999 for $379.