223 and 20 practical question

[Peebles24]

I am putting together a 20 practical upper to use on my psa ar15. I currently have a 16" mid length 223/5.56 upper.

Question is can i get away with using a small base bushing die on my dillon 550c and just switch bushings depending if im loading 223 or 20? Haven't worked up a cfe 223 but figuring around 26gr for 223 55gr hornaday fmj. The 20 practical wil require the more accuracy and if i can work up a cfe223 load for it that is accurate and use the same charge would be great.

I would like to not buy another die plate, powder thrower, and dies aka save 200 bucks, or set up dies everytime im ready to load, i would spend the 200 before setting up everytime.

Thank you
Chad P.

 

[Bill K]

Don't know why you could not do so, just use the bushing for the caliber sizing.

 

[Peebles24]

Changing powder and charge only wouldnt be to bad, would be phenomenal to have just one powder and charge, but dont see that as likely.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Minimum saami case body should work in the AR, will have to change or remove decapper/button for 20 cal.

 

[Peebles24]

Minimum saami case body should work in the AR, will have to change or remove decapper/button for 20 cal.

Yeah didnt think about that.

 

[sawcarver]

With a bushing die I dont use a button. I'm not loading on a progresive but with a redding bushing die I just change out the bushing to go from 223 to 20 practical

 

[Cemetery21]

On the initial neck down, I used two bushings, the first one was a size between .223 and 204. I don't know if it was necessary. The .204 expander also has a smaller shaft. I bent one and ordered a couple of extras direct from Redding.
Yes, after neck down, just use a .223 bushing die with a 20 bushing and decapper.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

You will need a 232, and either a 225,226 bushing depending on your brass neck wall. When starting with 556 or 223 brass. 2 steps seems to work best for me.

 

[hogpatrol]

I'm on my fourth 20P, two bolt guns, an AR and an XP100 so here's my 2¢. Depending on the reamer used and brand of die, for the 20 practical the bushing die may not work as intended. Be careful and check your shoulder measurements after the neck down process. Then check the dimensions again after fire forming. Then recheck after resizing. On the CFE 223, there are known powders that work best with the 20P. Reinventing that wheel may be an exercise in wasted components, money and time.

 

[Peebles24]

I'm on my fourth 20P, two bolt guns, an AR and an XP100 so here's my 2¢. Depending on the reamer used and brand of die, for the 20 practical the bushing die may not work as intended. Be careful and check your shoulder measurements after the neck down process. Then check the dimensions again after fire forming. Then recheck after resizing. On the CFE 223, there are known powders that work best with the 20P. Reinventing that wheel may be an exercise in wasted components, money and time.

I am probably getting the white oak armament 20p barrel in 24". Planned on going with the rcbs small base bushing die.

 

[Cemetery21]

I've had good luck with WOA barrels.

 

[jepp2]

I am probably getting the white oak armament 20p barrel in 24".

Last one I ordered took about 3 months. Hope you aren't in a hurry.

 

[Peebles24]

Last one I ordered took about 3 months. Hope you aren't in a hurry.

I dont need one till next summer. Really wondering if i shouldnt just load some 35gr or 40gr .224 instead of dropping 700+ on another upper. Im not sure how big of a balistic advantage a 39gr .201 will have. I. Just looking to pick up where my 17hmr falls off about 150 yard on out to maybe 400. Where my buddy lives i didnt have many places to shoot beyond 300.

 

[Bc'z]

I am probably getting the white oak armament 20p barrel in 24". Planned on going with the rcbs small base bushing die.

Chad you should be ok with a standard FL sizer.
The SB dies are great if your using the same brass in multiple rifles.
I found using a SB die in 6x45 I was trimming necks every firing, switched to standard Redding FL and only trim every
3-4 firings.

 

[searcher]

if i can work up a cfe223 load for it that is accurate and use the same charge would be great.

Highly unlikely you will get what you want. Best powders I have tried in the .20 Practical (best for four different rifles) are Accurate LT32 and H4198.