Favorite .20?

[Bully]

I have 1 project ahead of this, but I'm always looking forward to the next...

I have a "spare" 223 action floating around. I'd like to do something fast and fun with it. My thoughts are a .20 cal rifle. I've never had one before and am intrigued by the bullets. I'm only shooting to 300 yards so anything over a .22 is almost too easy (I'm being a bit silly on this point I know) and I like a challenge. I also like smaller powder charges and such so that I can indulge my frugal side.

My thoughts are my .223 action with a "light varmint" type barrel and set up with the PTG bottom metal that accepts AR magazines. However I'm fine with running a BDL set-up if that is the more prudent action. I'm gonna run it in a stock/modified R700 wood stock. I'd probably put a 3-15 scope on it and have a go.

What would be your favorite .20 caliber cartridge for something like the setup described and what bullet and twist?

This is just an exercise in mental Tom-foolery but it keeps me out of trouble.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[jds holler]

I did it simply by necking my old 222 Rem down to a .20. Everything has worked so well that I'd have to recommend it to anyone.

Seems like that case is plenty enough for the amount of powder that you might want in this caliber, and I'm actually using a lot of the old brass that I used in the 222.

With a minimal amount of load work-up, I'm getting easy sub .5" groups, and better. Haven't chrony-ed anything, but I know it's fast enough. I feel that I'm not frying my barrel, and recoil doesn't obscure my view of the exploding ground squirrels that this rifle is primarily used for. jd

 

[Phil]

.20-223AI

11 twist

39 B Kings

 

[Hotshot]

I just couldn't live without my 204R's. I have bigger and smaller and like them too, but there isn't anything easier than factory brass, standard dies, non-wildcat chamber.
I have had many and they have all been very accurate so easy to load for.

 

[Hoodoo]

20 Practical get's my vote.

 

[20-practical]

I have 1 project ahead of this, but I'm always looking forward to the next...

I have a "spare" 223 action floating around. I'd like to do something fast and fun with it. My thoughts are a .20 cal rifle. I've never had one before and am intrigued by the bullets. I'm only shooting to 300 yards so anything over a .22 is almost too easy (I'm being a bit silly on this point I know) and I like a challenge. I also like smaller powder charges and such so that I can indulge my frugal side.

My thoughts are my .223 action with a "light varmint" type barrel and set up with the PTG bottom metal that accepts AR magazines. However I'm fine with running a BDL set-up if that is the more prudent action. I'm gonna run it in a stock/modified R700 wood stock. I'd probably put a 3-15 scope on it and have a go.

What would be your favorite .20 caliber cartridge for something like the setup described and what bullet and twist?

This is just an exercise in mental Tom-foolery but it keeps me out of trouble.

Thanks a bunch.

+1 for 20 practical. mine is in an ar, awesome. loves the 34 gn dogtown bullets from Midway. Great splat factor

 

[jepp2]

What would be your favorite .20 caliber cartridge for something like the setup described and what bullet and twist?

20P
32 gr. ZMAX (I just have never gotten the same accuracy from the 34 gr Nosler HPs, marketed by Midway and MidSouth)
10 or 11T

 

[sundance]

20 Practical. You probably have a ton of 223 brass laying around like the rest of us!

 

[Bully]

This is why I’m on this board!

I’m liking the 20Practical. Should be a hoot.

@20-practical Everything runs fine from a standard AR magazine?

 

[20-practical]

This is why I’m on this board!

I’m liking the 20Practical. Should be a hoot.

@20-practical Everything runs fine from a standard AR magazine?

Yup. i can unload faster than i can load

 

[20-practical]

20 Practical. You probably have a ton of 223 brass laying around like the rest of us!

nope. I actually bought 1000 new lake city cases from Natchez several years back, they had a sale, something like 125 bucks for 1000 count. never see that again. I love my 20 p. , but the p- dogs don't. almost no recoil, follow up shots are easy as you never lose your sight picture.

 

[nmkid]

I really like my 20 Practical with 40 gr Vmax's. I went with Pac Nor's best barrel, SS Super Match. It's a smooth as a baby's breath!

 

[20-practical]

for some really interesting effect in a pdog town, try 26 gr varmint grenade, over 4300fps. Only good to about 200 yards were I shoot, lotsa wind.

 

[th82457]

20 Vartarg. Mine is 1:12 twist and works great with any brand 32 gr or 35 gr, Bergers. Also does well with 39 Sierra BK's. It is ridiculously accurate and very low recoil, easy on barrels with 18.0 - 19.0 gr powder charges.

 

[Hoodoo]

20 Vartarg. Mine is 1:12 twist and works great with any brand 32 gr or 35 gr, Bergers. Also does well with 39 Sierra BK's. It is ridiculously accurate and very low recoil, easy on barrels with 18.0 - 19.0 gr powder charges.

I almost went with the Vartarg, I just liked the availability for brass on the Practical. And who doesn't have thousands of 223 military brass laying around haha.

 

[20-practical]

20 Vartarg. Mine is 1:12 twist and works great with any brand 32 gr or 35 gr, Bergers. Also does well with 39 Sierra BK's. It is ridiculously accurate and very low recoil, easy on barrels with 18.0 - 19.0 gr powder charges.

what type of powder in the vartarg?

 

[onelastshot]

.20-223AI

11 twist

39 B Kings

I like your thinking, if the poster has a 223 action, the easiest transition is a 20 practical. My favorite cartridges are AI cartridges because of the increased case volume as well as the 40 degree shoulder which all but eliminates the need to trim brass.

 

[germanlongbow]

I built my 20P in 2006. Easy to load for and plenty accurate for prarie dog hunts. I also have a 20-250 purpose built for 800-1000 yard shooting with 55 gr Berger bullets. Both guns are accurate and consistent. The 20-250 involved a lot of prep work, the 20P one step and shoot. Plenty of other 20's to choose from out there.

 

[ricco1949]

Bully:
Go single shot Vartarg and you'll never regret it for a colony exterminator or a paper puncher. A good barrel, chamber, and bedding job should get you aggs in the high two's to low threes.
Rick

 

[th82457]

Powder types in Vartarg RL-7, AA1680, H322, H4198 and likely several more. Those have worked well for me. Benefit is low recoil and minimal barrel heat.