20 Vartarg, 20 Practical, 20 Tactical, or ???

[rickytan]

Haven’t looked into that option. But I will now. Seems like it’s just above the VT in case capacity. Any idea what a good repeater action would feed this well out of a detachable mag. 300blk action?

 

[B23]

My 20-222 is built on a Rem 700 short action that started life as a 223. When I had it built I had my smith install a HS Precision detachable mag setup instead of using the standard BDL hinged floor plate. It feeds smooth as butter through the HS Prec det. mag setup but just about everything 222 feeds well.

Something that started life as a Remington model 7 or 700 300 AAC Blackout which is based off the 221FB case may have the extractor in a different location on the bolt face and I don't know if that will be an issue or not. I'd guess probably not but it would be worth asking a gunsmith. If your 300BLK isn't a Rem 7 or 700 I have no idea but I'm sure a good gunsmith could answer that for you.

My little 20-222 is one of my favorites.

 

[rickytan]

The original plan was to build a 20 VT on a Ruger American Predator 300blk. But now you have me interested in a 20-222 on that same platform.

 

[B23]

The original plan was to build a 20 VT on a Ruger American Predator 300blk. But now you have me interested in a 20-222 on that same platform.

I don't know anything about the Ruger AP but it sounds like it could be a suitable platform the only thing I'd be concerned about is cartridge OAL. Since it's a 300BLK does Ruger use a different magazine for those with a spacer or something like that in the mags? Does the Ruger AP that is chambered in 223 use a different magazine? If it's different maybe it would be as simply as just swapping to the 223 mags.

The 20-222 kind of splits the difference between the 20-221 and 20-223. If I didn't already have a fast twist 20-250 I probably would have built a 20-223 aka 20 Practical but already having the 20-250 I wanted something with a little smaller case capacity than a 20P but without the feeding issues of the little 221 case so the 20-222, for me, was the perfect fit.

I'm not stepping on mine 20-222 all that hard I believe my load is something right around 22.5gr H322 and 40gr Bergers. In my Hart 11tw barrel that puts them out the end at 3650.

 

[rickytan]

Thanks for the info. I’m really looking to stay under 20gr of 8208ish powder for what I want to build.

 

[L.Sherm]

If your worried about a 20VT ejecting in a 700 action just get a sako extractor installed.

 

[rickytan]

With the 20VT my biggest concern is brass availability in the future.

 

[L.Sherm]

With the 20VT my biggest concern is brass availability in the future.

Learn how to make 20VT brass out of LC223 brass problem solved.
Its really not that bad.

 

[B23]

Thanks for the info. I’m really looking to stay under 20gr of 8208ish powder for what I want to build.

Hmmm, if that's your goal you may want to consider one of the 17's instead. A 17-222 would make a nice little setup.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Which 20 Caliber cartridge is the easiest to prepare brass for if you choose to form it yourself? I'm asking because I basically don't know much of the 20's and I'm going to start researching here first.
Sorry and disregard if I'm stepping on this thread.

 

[B23]

Which 20 Caliber cartridge is the easiest to prepare brass for if you choose to form it yourself? I'm asking because I basically don't know much of the 20's and I'm going to start researching here first.
Sorry and disregard if I'm stepping on this thread.

I'd say any of them that are just straight neck downs like the 20-221, 20-222, 20-223 aka 20 Practical. With any of those you don't need special dies all you need is a bushing type sizing die in the parent case and you're good to go because they only require sizing the neck down there's no other dimensional changes.

 

[RegionRat]

Which 20 Caliber cartridge is the easiest to prepare brass for if you choose to form it yourself? I'm asking because I basically don't know much of the 20's and I'm going to start researching here first.
Sorry and disregard if I'm stepping on this thread.

There is a good book available from The Woodchuck Den called The Terrific Twenties that answers your questions and has blueprints too.

 

[hogpatrol]

Don't know about the others mentioned but with the 20 Practical, as long as you stick with one brand of brass, a .223 Remington bushing die and a few sizing buttons and you're good to go.

 

[457ciSBC]

Which 20 Caliber cartridge is the easiest to prepare brass for if you choose to form it yourself? I'm asking because I basically don't know much of the 20's and I'm going to start researching here first.
Sorry and disregard if I'm stepping on this thread.

If you want .223 boltface family repeater feeding /ejection and easy forming there’s 2 choices…..20-222 and 20 Practical or the 20/223. I’m not sure how the earlier 20/223 differs from the 20P, could very well be close to the same.
IMHO, the least painless off the shelf option would be the 20-222 which you would utilize a CH4D 20-222 die FL set, simply run a 222 Rem case in the FL die and you are done and since it’s a 1 piece, it sizes all the way to the neck/shoulder junction. I believe CH4D does a 20/223 FL set as well.
If you want to utilize a bushing style die; the least painless is the LE Wilson FL 222 or 223 they come with a .187 decapping rod assembly, the bushings negate the need for the expander anyway. If you use the Redding 222 or 223 S die you will have to convert the .224 S stems to .204 or my preference,the .17 caliber S stem. The Redding is a little more painful and more money to spend. Both brands then require using the numerous bushings of your choice to suit your forming or sizing needs.