Help with Build Decision 20 or 22 cal??

[Bowhunter-tw]

Ive never built a custom, ive got factory howas, a 243 and a new 223. Was considering rebarreling the 223 to 20sploder because I cant thread the muzzle but now I think im just going to sell it.

I am torn between going with a 20 practical/sploder because I have the 223 brass or going to a faster 22cal like 22gt, br, xc. I will have to get new dies either way.

Main use will be for calling coyotes, want to keep barrel between 20-22” and will be suppressed. Planning to get a Kauger vpr sst action. Id like to shoot 55-75gr if I do the 22cal.

My thinking is a fast 22 overlaps with the 243 shooting 87g vmax that I use for longer distance stands and windy days, maybe im wrong here.

Id like to hear what yall think, id like to be able to get a barrel from urbanrifleman if he has the chambering I settle on.

 

[Mark M.]

Ive never built a custom, ive got factory howas, a 243 and a new 223. Was considering rebarreling the 223 to 20sploder because I cant thread the muzzle but now I think im just going to sell it.

I am torn between going with a 20 practical/sploder because I have the 223 brass or going to a faster 22cal like 22gt, br, xc. I will have to get new dies either way.

Main use will be for calling coyotes, want to keep barrel between 20-22” and will be suppressed. Planning to get a Kauger vpr sst action. Id like to shoot 55-75gr if I do the 22cal.

My thinking is a fast 22 overlaps with the 243 shooting 87g vmax that I use for longer distance stands and windy days, maybe im wrong here.

Id like to hear what yall think, id like to be able to get a barrel from urbanrifleman if he has the chambering I settle on.

This may help

 

[AWS]

I shoot 20 Practical, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-204, 22-250, 22-250AI and 5.6x50R Mag for called coyotes. They all work, I feel the 22-250s are over kill. Bullet selection to me is more important than cartridge. I like stouter bullets 40gr NBT's in 20P and 22-204, 52gr Speer varmint in everything else.

20P

222R

223R

22-204

5.6x50R Mag

 

[Bowhunter-tw]

I shoot 20 Practical, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-204, 22-250, 22-250AI and 5.6x50R Mag for called coyotes. They all work, I feel the 22-250s are over kill. Bullet selection to me is more important than cartridge. I like stouter bullets 40gr NBT's in 20P and 22-204, 52gr Speer varmint in everything else.

20P

222R

Good insight! I appreciate it, have you shot any of the 50gr 20 cal projecticles? The 20p seems to work pretty well or do you get some runners? How far out have you been able to take a coyote with the 20p successfully?

 

[AWS]

My personal thoughts are if you're calling and have to shoot over 300 yards something is wrong. Most of my shots are under 100 yards with many under 50 yards, rarely have runners. If all I'm offered is a long (300+) I pass and come back and relocate for a better shot.

 

[Bowhunter-tw]

My personal thoughts are if you're calling and have to shoot over 300 yards something is wrong. Most of my shots are under 100 yards with many under 50 yards, rarely have runners. If all I'm offered is a long (300+) I pass and come back and relocate for a better shot.

Thats true, ive only taken a couple shots at 300yrds and that was with a 243. 90% of shots are within 100yrds.

 

[JB10]

Im in the same decision boat myself. Im leaning hard on a 20 practical or tactical. Been thinking for about 3 months now and can not make up my mind.

 

[Bowhunter-tw]

Im in the same decision boat myself. Im leaning hard on a 20 practical or tactical. Been thinking for about 3 months now and can not make up my mind.

I had sold myself on rebarreling the 223 howa to 20p but now im leaning towards my first custom with a changeable bolt head and doing a 20-223ai. Ive heard mixed reviews about feeding an ai cartridge but I think it would feed ok. Im thinking a 223 based cartridge will suppress better than the 22cal cartridges based on a 308 bolt face, have less recoil, and use less powder. Recoil is less of a selling point but a bonus. I am surprised to see that the 20cal projectiles cost the same or more than 22 projectiles

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Im making my old 223 tikka 20 practical. Its for jacks and yotes. Mainly cuz wind drift and low recoil to see impacts. I did a .243 for a while and found that I just lost sight picture too often. If the action was a .243 I would make it a 22 BR. I agree shots on yotes are mostly 10 to 150 yards, even in the wide open desert.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I like my 24" Braked, 6 XC for Coyotes with, 95 gr Berger Classic Hunters @ 3,100+ or 103 gr. ELD-X's at, 3,015 FPS. 500- 600 yards is, NO Problemo with, a 200 yd Zero and "Dialing" if PAST,.. 350 yds.
I also like, my .22-250 Rem. with, 50 gr. V-Maxes if LESS Max range ( 400 ish ) required.
The .22 Creedmoor will be, My next Build, when my .22-250 Barrel, goes,. "South"
With a 1-8 or, 1-9 Twist.

 

[Webster]

Ive never built a custom, ive got factory howas, a 243 and a new 223. Was considering rebarreling the 223 to 20sploder because I cant thread the muzzle but now I think im just going to sell it.

I am torn between going with a 20 practical/sploder because I have the 223 brass or going to a faster 22cal like 22gt, br, xc. I will have to get new dies either way.

Main use will be for calling coyotes, want to keep barrel between 20-22” and will be suppressed. Planning to get a Kauger vpr sst action. Id like to shoot 55-75gr if I do the 22cal.

My thinking is a fast 22 overlaps with the 243 shooting 87g vmax that I use for longer distance stands and windy days, maybe im wrong here.

Id like to hear what yall think, id like to be able to get a barrel from urbanrifleman if he has the chambering I settle on.

Whatever you go with make sure the cartridge head diameter matches the bolt face diameter. You don't want to spend a lot of extra money modifying the bolt. I have a bolt face diam. chart somewhere for different calibers, will attach later.

Bolt Face & Action Database - LoadDevelopment.com

Our bolt face diameter database helps to determine which new caliber or cartridge will work with the bolt face diameter and action length.

www.loaddevelopment.com

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I like a 22-250 AI with a fast twist barrel 1-7 - 1-8 , to shoot 69-77 gr bullets. Load to magazine length and run Magpul .308 mags and ago have fun!

 

[Bowhunter-tw]

Whatever you go with make sure the cartridge head diameter matches the bolt face diameter. You don't want to spend a lot of extra money modifying the bolt. I have a bolt face diam. chart somewhere for different calibers, will attach later.

Bolt Face & Action Database - LoadDevelopment.com

Our bolt face diameter database helps to determine which new caliber or cartridge will work with the bolt face diameter and action length.

www.loaddevelopment.com

Luckily im going to build off an action with interchangeable bolt head… if I sell the howa 223

 

[jpx2rk]

I shoot 20 Practical, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-204, 22-250, 22-250AI and 5.6x50R Mag for called coyotes. They all work, I feel the 22-250s are over kill. Bullet selection to me is more important than cartridge. I like stouter bullets 40gr NBT's in 20P and 22-204, 52gr Speer varmint in everything else.

20P

222R

223R

22-204

5.6x50R Mag

Would you mind sharing your load data for the 52g Speer bullet???/

 

[swd]

90% of shots are within 100yrds.

I’ve killed plenty with a 22 Hornet. Inside 175 yards it will get that done all day. The 20 Practical or any of the other hot 20’s will shoot flat enough for easy 400 yard shots. If you want more knock down for the farther out shots the 223 on up with medium to heavy bullets has an advantage. 223 or Ackley version, 22BR, 22BRA, 22-250 and Ackley are plenty of fun. 223 Ackley would be an easy button with plenty of performance.

 

[jlorenzo]

22 cal seems alot more versitile, along with more common components. If youre just shooting varmints and yotes closer in a 20 would probably be fine. I would go with a 22 cal. Way more bullets choices. Youd be surprised how far you can shoot well with a heavy bullet 223.

 

[Bowhunter-tw]

22 cal seems alot more versitile, along with more common components. If youre just shooting varmints and yotes closer in a 20 would probably be fine. I would go with a 22 cal. Way more bullets choices. Youd be surprised how far you can shoot well with a heavy bullet 223.

This is true also. Part of why I cant decide. A fast 22 would probably match or beat 20-223ai performance

 

[RabbitSlayer]

This is true also. Part of why I cant decide. A fast 22 would probably match or beat 20-223ai performance

Its hard to beat the wind drift of the 40 gr xmax and 39 gr sierra. You gotta drive a 53 or 60 gr vmax at like 22250 speeds.

 

[AWS]

jpx2rk

Load data for the 52gr Speer FB HP in what? I load it in seven different rifles, five different powders and each has its own data. Almost every reloading manual has data that will work for the 52gr Speer, pick a load and go for it, it will be as good as anything I can give you. I load with 748, 2230, 4895, Benchmark, and 4320

 

[jlorenzo]

This is true also. Part of why I cant decide. A fast 22 would probably match or beat 20-223ai performance

If things ever get rough again supply wise, like they just did. You will find more 22 cal bullets and 223 brass than anything else. I can usually find 69gr SMKs at my local wal mart if I need them. Now if you already have those bases covered than I would go with whichever caliber you want to try the most.