My Custom 20 Practical Project Completed

[Mark M.]

I put this project in motion about 8 months ago by contacting Aaron Brackett at Riverman Gun Works in Dalton Gardens, ID., and I must say, the quality of workmanship, attention to detail is over the top-outstanding with great communication and no unwanted surprises.
We started with a Tikka T3X , fluted the bolt, 24" Bartlein 11 twist Barrel, .620 muzzle dia with seemless thread protector, McMillan Sako hunter style stock with molded in color, Mountain Tactical bottom metal, top rail and billet magazines., all machining, bedding and fitting
done by Riverman, and at his discretion, Aaron did some amazing cerakoting work.
Looking forward to some range time.

 

[Rick300]

Very nice! Now make a 20 Vartarg brother to it and you're all set

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Did you have it throated longer ?

 

[DLT]

Gorgeous

 

[Mark M.]

Very nice! Now make a 20 Vartarg brother to it and you're all set

Vartarg would be a great addition, but in this stage in the game and components being what they are, I'm try to eliminate the added expense of having to many rifles that "overlape"

 

[JSH]

Vartarg would be a great addition, but in this stage in the game and components being what they are, I'm try to eliminate the added expense of having to many rifles that "overlape"

I don’t see them as an over lap. 204 Ruger and a 20VT, the VT sees 32-34’s and the bigger case sees 40’s. I know a lot of folks use one cartridge for both bullets with great results. I am a speed freak, best accuracy at highest speed.
I do the same with the 17FB and 17 Remington.

Both of the small cases will push the lighter bullets at or close to the same speed as the bigger case, with the plus of way less powder.

 

[Mark M.]

Up Date....First-time at the range today, just messing around with some load development, 20 Practical from Aaron at Riverman Gun Works, 5 shot 100 yrd. group, using N-133 and 39gr Blitzkings.

 

[Rick300]

Excellent!

 

[DLT]

That is sweet !!

 

[J.D.Erwin]

I put this project in motion about 8 months ago by contacting Aaron Brackett at Riverman Gun Works in Dalton Gardens, ID., and I must say, his quality of workmanship, attention to detail is over the top-outstanding with great communication and no unwanted surprises.
We started with a Tikka T3X , fluted the bolt, 24" Bartlein 11 twist Barrel, .620 muzzle dia with seemless thread protector, McMillan Sako hunter style stock with molded in color, Mountain Tactical bottom metal. Top rail and billet magazines., all machining, bedding and fitting
done by Riverman, and at his discretion, Aaron did some amazing cerakoting work.
Looking forward to some range time.

very nice rig

 

[stacy]

Awesome think it will shoot

 

[bobcat93]

booooy-o-boy..that thing looks to pretty to shoot!...congratulations on your completion..all most...where's the glass bro..hahaha..J.K.
I found the .20 practical to be a fantastic cartridge once I got the hang of it..
I'm sure your going to really enjoy your trigger time ...its been about 6yrs ago but if I remember correctly. With (my) components, and rifle .the .20 var-targ is much more forgiving , then the .20 practical when it came to reloading ..
I remember the .20 practical was the first cartridge I found to be very touchy about charge wieght..like a teeny ,tiny bit whent a long way...
Start low..
Safe shooting..beautiful rifle...

 

[Mark M.]

booooy-o-boy..that thing looks to pretty to shoot!...congratulations on your completion..all most...where's the glass bro..hahaha..J.K.
I found the .20 practical to be a fantastic cartridge once I got the hang of it..
I'm sure your going to really enjoy your trigger time ...its been about 6yrs ago but if I remember correctly. With (my) components, and rifle .the .20 var-targ is much more forgiving , then the .20 practical when it came to reloading ..
I remember the .20 practical was the first cartridge I found to be very touchy about charge wieght..like a teeny ,tiny bit whent a long way...
Start low..
Safe shooting..beautiful rifle...

5 shots 100yrds N133 and 39gr blitzkings, I believe I found what it likes

 

[calib]

Mark,
I am in cda and have been thinking about a .20.
Have you put yours on any game yet?

 

[Matt_3479]

Awesome!! I finally got my 20 tactical straightened away. Just need to finish load development now!!

 

[falkor_shooter]

That looks great. I just started to work on some 20 Tac load development. It’s my first step into benchrest shooting.

 

[TheCZKid]

Very nice looking rifle, great looking machining on everything, even the magazines! My 20P likes N133 with 32 Vmax, and with Nosler BT and Vmax in 40's I found 25.0 gr of 8208XBR to be my best accuracy load.

 

[boltfluter]

Very nice looking rifle! Hard to beat a nice Tikka rifle.
Paul