New to the 20 Tactical caliber need a little help

[dmccrerery]

I just picked up a Savage 12 that came with two barrels neither installed. I would like to install the 20T barrel. Are there any reasonable go-gauges around? Any suggestions ?

 

[L.Sherm]

20T= 20TAC?

 

[dmccrerery]

20T= 20TAC?

20 Tactical

 

[Hotshot]

Do you have some brass and dies? If I don't have a gauge I just turn the barrel until snug against a sized case then back off 1/16 turn. That will give you .003 clearance. Go shooting. I'm betting you will love that cartridge.

 

[L.Sherm]

I wouldnt use a piece of brass unless its shot 3 times to make sure the shoulder is pushed ahead all the way if not your dies may not bump shoulder back far enough.

 

[jpx2rk]

Pretty sure but not positive the 223 go/no gages work for 20T, they do on the 20P.

 

[dmccrerery]

Thanks for the input.
The 223 will work for 20P you’re correct
But I believe it will not work for 20Tactical because the shoulder is bumped back more. Is my thinking.

Thanks again
Dave

 

[expiper]

Thanks for the input.
The 223 will work for 20P you’re correct
But I believe it will not work for 20Tactical because the shoulder is bumped back more. Is my thinking.

Thanks again
Dave

the tac has a 30 degree shoulder and the headspace is diff---that is why most folks go with the practical because of the simplicity of dies and no FF --since you are starting from scratch and it is a savage i would use a piece of brass for headspace and shoot it and then see how it fits your dies and adjust accordingly if necessary--roger

 

[dmccrerery]

the tac has a 30 degree shoulder and the headspace is diff---that is why most folks go with the practical because of the simplicity of dies and no FF --roger

Roger. Roger forgot to mention that. I have a practical barrel in the works.

 

[L.Sherm]

If you do use a piece of brass make sure there isn't a primer in the case.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If you have the form die, form a couple(5) use comparator to find the average piece and use that on to headspace. Nut the barrel in or out to fine tune to your sizing die after shooting a couple.

 

[jepp2]

Any suggestions ?

There should be plenty of 20 Tac shooters on here that would be glad to send you some properly sized brass that can be used for setting your barrel headspace. If it was 20P I could help you out.

I've got several rifles with nutted barrels (all Bugnuts however) and I have had no issue setting the same exact dimension as my shouldered barrels using brass cases.

 

[Tommie]

I wouldnt use a piece of brass unless its shot 3 times to make sure the shoulder is pushed ahead all the way if not your dies may not bump shoulder back far enough.

I disagree. That barrel nut puts the threaded shank in tension instead of compression. Fully sized unfired brass would be preferable although the real answer is actual Go and No-Go gauges.

 

[L.Sherm]

What happens if you set headspace with a piece of brass thats not full fireformed?
Will your dies bump the shoulder back then?
Tac has 30 deg shoulder 223 brass is 23.
Hey but each to his own

 

[Bill K]

Does the party you bought the rifle and barrels from have a couple of fired cases, he used ? If so obtain them and use them as a go gauge.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My custom barreled 17 Rem I sent 3 (new)cases for the reamer dimensions. Afterwards I filled one with 2 part epoxy, 1 hr go gage.

 

[dmccrerery]

Guys, thanks for all the info. I think I can work with the info you all have provided. I got over 700 pcs of LC brass all neatly separated in bags dirty, deprimed, cleaned and full length sized. Some of the brass is better formed than others. Nice sharp bends at the shoulders, look like factory brass, but they are not. I will use 1 of the best formed cases, close the bolt, screw barrel in till it touches case, lightly tighten barrel nut. Open bolt and put 2 layers of scotch tap (.004) approx. on base of the case and then re check by closing bolt, should be a NO-GO.. My 78 yr old mind/ memory got stimulated after reading all the input
Thanks again

 

[urbanrifleman]

Guys, thanks for all the info. I think I can work with the info you all have provided. I got over 700 pcs of LC brass all neatly separated in bags dirty, deprimed, cleaned and full length sized. Some of the brass is better formed than others. Nice sharp bends at the shoulders, look like factory brass, but they are not. I will use 1 of the best formed cases, close the bolt, screw barrel in till it touches case, lightly tighten barrel nut. Open bolt and put 2 layers of scotch tap (.004) approx. on base of the case and then re check by closing bolt, should be a NO-GO.. My 78 yr old mind/ memory got stimulated after reading all the input
Thanks again

Take your brass and put one piece of tape and screw the barrel down until it stops. Set the nut. That's your brass plus 2 thou. Perfect headspace.