Aw hell, I fell for the 20s.

[Ledd Slinger]

I had built a 24" 10 twist 20P on an AR15 upper 5 or 6 years ago. Thing was an absolute laser! Like having a semi auto pellet gun as it weighed 13lbs and recoil was less than a fly swatter. Then I lost access to the few thousand acres of varmint hunting I had due to the patriarch of the owning family passing and too many relatives wanted the land.

So it sat in the safe. Fast forward a couple more years and after a nasty break up and moving, I desperately need some money quick and sold that barrel. Still kicking myself for that. Loved that cartridge and even though I can only shoot unleaded at anything with fur or feathers now, I still want another 20P.

One of these days I will own another.

I ran the 39TNT with success over BL-(C)2 around 3750. The 32vmax liked IMR4198 and about 4100fps. My 100m and 200m zero was 0.1" different with 150m shooting 0.8" high, so from 0-200m was always poa/poi. Couldn't get any easier than that!

What type of accuracy were you getting with the 39gr TNT and BLC-2? Thanks.

 

[Fast14riot]

What type of accuracy were you getting with the 39gr TNT and BLC-2? Thanks.

I'm thinking it had a lifetime agg of around 0.75-0.8 moa for when I shot it, iirc. I used it in walking varmint steel matches and shot from a Harris bipod with rear unsupported or offhand. Never did get it onto a proper bench and bags to truly test it, however it would shoot nice little 10 shot consistent groups and was super easy to load on a progressive.

Side note, I also formed my brass on a progressive press, first die was a gutted non-bushing 223 die (I used Hornady american series die) which without the expander would leave necks sized a bit smaller than normal, next station was a bushing die die for my final neck diameter. Makes quick work of 1k pieces of brass!

Edit: the accuracy was enough to get me 1st's and 2nd's at the matches I shot.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'm thinking it had a lifetime agg of around 0.75-0.8 moa for when I shot it, iirc. I used it in walking varmint steel matches and shot from a Harris bipod with rear unsupported or offhand. Never did get it onto a proper bench and bags to truly test it, however it would shoot nice little 10 shot consistent groups and was super easy to load on a progressive.

Side note, I also formed my brass on a progressive press, first die was a gutted non-bushing 223 die (I used Hornady american series die) which without the expander would leave necks sized a bit smaller than normal, next station was a bushing die die for my final neck diameter. Makes quick work of 1k pieces of brass!

Edit: the accuracy was enough to get me 1st's and 2nd's at the matches I shot.

Thanks. Trying to find how accurate the 39gr TNT can be in a good rifle. 3/4 MOA wont quite cut it with my intended use for hitting northern plains ground squirrels at 300 yards or further on a consistent basis. But the rifles I intend to try the TNT in are custom buolds and they shoot most everything very well so I'm sure I could get them to shoot well enough for my purposes. Thanks again.

 

[Fast14riot]

Thanks. Trying to find how accurate the 39gr TNT can be in a good rifle. 3/4 MOA wont quite cut it with my intended use for hitting northern plains ground squirrels at 300 yards or further on a consistent basis. But the rifles I intend to try the TNT in are custom buolds and they shoot most everything very well so I'm sure I could get them to shoot well enough for my purposes. Thanks again.

They have a massive hollow point and are majorly explosive on target. Other bullets exist with better BC, but like I noted, I never fully tested the potential of them, though they were consistent for me and my uses, and I feel they could do very well using 8208 rather than a ball powder.

I also hunt ground squirrel, so I know how small they are. They sure "pop" good with a direct hit! Lol

 

[chuckshooter]

20 cal's. are definitely easy to fall for. My problem is I just can't say no. At least I have it narrowed down to only 5 or 6 different 20cal. cartridges and I try to shoot only 32gr or 40gr vmax's in those so I don't have to have a bunch of different bullets on hand. I'm begging you guys, stop posting these really cool 20 cal. rifles for sale please. enough is enough.

 

[steve123]

Had different 17's, a 204R, many 22 centerfires, 243, 6mmRem and 6-284. Those are all down the road after I found out what I needed to.

I settled on 20-221AI, it's a very impressive wildcat. Low noise, low recoil, long brass life, long barrel life, and doesn't heat up a barrel quick, especially with a medium load of only 18.8 grains of H4198. 3735 fps with 32's in my 21" 11 twist and 3870 fps in my 25" 12 twist. Pushing the case with AA2200 I've read of people getting 4000-ish fps in longer barrels.

I also did a reduced load with 800X powder with 32's, these are going 2330 fps in the 21". Recoil is like a 17hmr but with lower ES and .4" groups at 100Y. I use it for shooting 22rf rated steel out to 300Y and critters around the property.

Have a 6mmBR and a 223AI too.

 

[redrockranger]

What type of accuracy were you getting with the 39gr TNT and BLC-2? Thanks.

My 20 Practical loves H-4198. My favorite PD gun. 350 yds no problem.

 

[slancey]

Here’s a group I shot at 100 yards with my Dakota in .204 Ruger. It’s a 40 grain Berger using 8208. These .20 calibers are something else.

 

[TAJ45]

I feel for ya.....I really do. I guess you'll just have to suffer through. Poor guy.

 

[DogBuster]

For p/dogs......20's are where its at

Building a new 20 PT Pac Nor barrel right now

28" 'fat full cylinder' Savage target action large shank

10 twist 3 groove

Will weigh approx 18# when I set it up on the table...

2021....look out p/dogs

pic...my old 12 twist high mileage 20 PT in life's prime...

 

[slancey]

For p/dogs......20's are where its at

Building a new 20 PT Pac Nor barrel right now

28" 'fat full cylinder' Savage target action large shank

10 twist 3 groove

Will weigh approx 18# when I set it up on the table...

2021....look out p/dogs

pic...my old 12 twist high mileage 20 PT in life's prime...

Nice group! What was the load and velocity? The charge is 26 grains of 8208XBR I presume.
I'm also curious about what table you will use with an 18-pound gun. I'm using the Caldwell Stable Table for now.

 

[DogBuster]

Table......'DogBuster table'

This one is 20+ yrs old and still does the job

 

[Tommie]

For p/dogs......20's are where its at

Absolutely.

 

[KY_Windage]

And if you REALLY want to have some fun with your 20's get a break-down suppressor for them. It reduces the recoil (scope jump) to considerably less than normal AND improves accuracy. These are not cherry-picked groups, they are the last groups I shot, and the only ones I shot that day. I was function-testing the suppressor Wednesday, and it was breezy. Both are 5 shots at 100 yds with 32-gr VMax and 28.3 gr of 8208. Barrel is a 1:12 26" Bartlein.

Man, I'm dreading wearing that barrel out!

 

[linebaugh]

20 PPC here and not much experience yet but I can tell you I see why people love these 20's. Have 1500 39gr SBKs coming and a second barrel chambered and ready when the first one dies.
No recoil, flat as flat can be trajectory and I have rang steel to 600 without issue. Predators beware!

 

[KY_Windage]

Speaking of 600 yds, same 32-gr VMax, 2/3 were in the 1 moa 10-ring.

 

[searcher]

. They're easy to load and tune, and they shoot like crazy. The lack of recoil is the real bonus.

True words!

 

[slancey]

Speaking of 600 yds, same 32-gr VMax, 2/3 were in the 1 moa 10-ring.

I would love to know what program you are using to get those targets on-screen.

 

[TAJ45]

That is really a dandy bit of feedback. I'm curious where those 32s would go sub sonic....750-800?

 

[TAJ45]

Cost analysis, kinda foul language isn’t it?

$h!t yes........!