new handgun shooter,please read)

[TravisC]

I recently bought a TC contender with 14" .223 barrel. I like it and it shoots well enough but I would like a barrel possibly in a .222 necked to .20 caliber. Also if it pans out I will chamber a rifle in the same manner. I do have a 204 ruger in a browning, but can't help but feel there is "wasted space" however little, and would think that the .222 case would be better especially in a pistol barrel. Please chime in on this matter as I can't get enough of reading people's experiences with these things. Thanks

 

[mikeinct]

To fully appreciate the diff between those two cases necked to twenty caliber...I think we would need some solid ballistic data..I know every custom barrel is one to itself..but my 20 tactical similar to what you have in mind..Displays high pressure signs [flattening & piercing primers] If I even get within a half grain of loads I've seen published for that wildcat rd..It would be an interesting pistol round in a carbine or really long 14 inch contender barrel for sure..But before I put any real money into this [Knowing what I know now] ..I'd like to see just how close in velocity that 223 case necked down to twenty caliber comes to the 204 ruger..It may be a model of efficency or just another experiment...I don't have a chronograph or a 204 ruger to compare it to...But I'm just giving you some insight..It may not come as close to the 204 as either of us would like..it is supposed to only be 3 grains short of the capacity of the ruger case..All that said I like the way this gun is shooting..After about a dozen dead chucks I'll let you know how impressed I really am...mike in ct

 

[tominboise]

Mike, agreed on your observations on pressure signs. I sometimes wonder if the published loads were ever pressure tested. I am a little leery of pushing my 20Tac all the way to the posted limits......

Tom

 

[mikeinct]

Part of the deal is internal case capacity...The variation within & between lots of 223 brass available for reforming is scary...Beware of any cases weighing in over say 95 grains..The super light weights I had problems getting enough neck tension...Benchmark was the first powder I tried...It seems hot with just about any loads over 25 grains..but I've seen published to a full grain maybe more over that..I shot a nice group from a bipod with H-335 last week..This week I may load up some of the 40 grain V-max with both powders I'll keep u posted....mike in ct