20 Tactical

[BigDMT]

Probably going to build a 20 Tactical some time this winter. I know it's a fast round that can match the 204 Ruger if pushed to do so. But I am wondering more about what type of accuracy and case life you folks are getting with it? Please list barrel maker, twist, and brand of brass.

This video is pretty impressive and shows that the case has excellent accuracy potential. This rifle is being fired at 500 yards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_BwrMmWMcQ

Any other pros/cons and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Smalltruck]

WHere are you at in MT? I'm supposed to be getting my 20 practical next week. I'm in northern wyoming....Its an easier platform.

 

[BigDMT]

WHere are you at in MT? I'm supposed to be getting my 20 practical next week. I'm in northern wyoming....Its an easier platform.

Thanks, but not interested in the 20 Practical.

The Practical is basically the same thing. Only difference being that the Tactical has a 30 degree shoulder. My father-in-law has a 20 Practical and really likes it, but I want to do the Tactical version to help reduce neck growth which will in turn help extend brass life.

I can load test while forming the shoulders to get an idea of what it will like. I did the same thing with My 20 VarTarg. Just necked down 221 FB brass, loaded it and started shooting. It shot nearly as well with the normal 221 FB brass 23 degree shoulder as it did with fire-formed 30 degree shoulders.

 

[VaniB]

Only fired a few dozen shots through my 20 Tactical, so I can't tell you about the longevity of my Lapua brass. But in a 1-11 twist PacNor barrel, it has inherant accuracy that puts bullets in 1 hole at 50 yards, and 5 shots into 1/4" groups and less at 100 yards fairly easy using 39gr Sierra BK at 3,820 FPS. This is a Rem 700 action on an HS stock, and I couldn't ask for more accuracy. These are 100 yard targets;

 

[madderg]

With Lapua coming out with 221 fireball brass you might want to take a look at the 20 Vartag also...

 

[BigDMT]

With Lapua coming out with 221 fireball brass you might want to take a look at the 20 Vartag also...

Just traded my Savage 20 VarTarg for a Zeiss 5-25x50 HD5 scope. I built it expecting lower recoil than my 204 Ruger but was disappointed to find that even while pushing identical bullets a little slower, recoil was not much different between the two and my 20 VT was a few pounds heavier!

I have a TON of Lake City and other 223 brass for my AR-15's, so with a Tactical, I won't have to buy brass. If I wanted, Lapua makes 223 brass so I do have that option with the 20 Tactical, but I don't care much about Lapua brass for varmint rifles since they wont be in competition and I usually don't like to push them to the max on loads to preserve case and barrel life. I also still have a TON of 20 VT brass so I may build another one some day.

I have extensive experience and knowledge with various 20 caliber rounds because that is pretty much the only thing I shoot for varmints. But right now I want to do a 20 Tactical and that is the only subject I am concerned with.

 

[BigDMT]

OK, here's my real plan for a cheap rifle with a quick build turn-around time. Been thinking about this pretty hard and have come to a conclusion and I think it's a pretty good idea. So here it goes...

I am going to purchase a Mossberg MVP Varmint rifle in 204 Ruger. Then cut the chamber back to a 20 Tactical, true the action, and bed the stock. Reviews show that the rifle is capable of excellent accuracy even straight out of the box and using factory ammo. Comes with a beautiful laminate stock, semi-bull barrel, adjustable trigger, good looks, and accepts AR-15 magazines. So with a few modifications and precision handloading it should be a real tack driver with high magazine capacity if I wish. I think it will make the ultimate varmint rifle.

Opinions? And NO I don't want to leave it a 204R, because once I shoot out the new barrel I recently put on my Rem 700 204R, I will probably turn it into a 20 Tactical as well being that 223 brass is so cheap and easy to come by.
I think it's a heck of an idea myself

 

[MikeCTX]

like mine, Savage Mod 11 with a Shilen 20 Tactical 1in12 barrel. Shoots 39gr and Nosler 40's in little bitty holes. R10x or H322 have both been really good. I find it easy to stay on target and have a blast (pun intended) every time I take it out. Fun to watch what those 39's do to the paper - can always see how hard it smacks the backer board. I would say do it, like you I liked the shoulder better than the 20 Practical (and I think it is a fine round also). Just did not want a 204R for some reason, just wanted something different.