I recently read that 50% of all the .20 caliber bullets sold are being shot in wildcat chamberings. Based upon the posts I see in this forum, I tend to agree with that number. This is crazy. With such a huge percentage of .20 caliber shooters going through the effort and expense of shooting a wildcat cartridge, why is there still just one factory round? We’re approaching two decades of the .204 Ruger and while it’s a fine cartridge, there’s obviously (IMO) a strong need for more .20 caliber offerings. What am I missing?
Only one factory .20 caliber cartridge...STILL?!
- Thread starter Tommie
- Start date
Maybe the total Market for 20 cal centerfire is too small to attract the manufacturers attention. Maybe one of our members has access to the total market for 20 cal vs the others like .224, .243, .257, .264, etc.
I get what you’re saying. But when the total number of factory chamberings is just one, it makes the .20 caliber choices a “take it of leave it” situation.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't regret jumping into 204, I regret the time I lost when I didn't do it right away.
For the life of me I don't get why 20 cal cartridges are not far more popular. If you just consider that an identical 40 grain bullet compared between the 20 cal and 223 cal, the 20 cal advantage in BC is huge.
If we look at the same 40 grain VMax bullets in 20 vs 223, there is a 38% advantage in BC with the 20 cal.
If you then consider that a 204 fits the same action as the 223, the 204 Ruger leaves the muzzle much faster and has a much better BC. Add the fact that they are inherently accurate and we are talking about adding another 100 to 150 yards just by switching to a 20 cal.
I do appreciate the economy and logistics of 223, but the 20 cal performance is worth the trouble of the lower availability when the topic is varmint class. If the 204 Ruger procurement issues are a bother compared to 223, then the 20 practical would still make a better choice.
I agree with @Tommie... when they give me the 204 Ruger as a take it or leave it, I'll take it every time.
For the life of me I don't get why 20 cal cartridges are not far more popular. If you just consider that an identical 40 grain bullet compared between the 20 cal and 223 cal, the 20 cal advantage in BC is huge.
If we look at the same 40 grain VMax bullets in 20 vs 223, there is a 38% advantage in BC with the 20 cal.
If you then consider that a 204 fits the same action as the 223, the 204 Ruger leaves the muzzle much faster and has a much better BC. Add the fact that they are inherently accurate and we are talking about adding another 100 to 150 yards just by switching to a 20 cal.
I do appreciate the economy and logistics of 223, but the 20 cal performance is worth the trouble of the lower availability when the topic is varmint class. If the 204 Ruger procurement issues are a bother compared to 223, then the 20 practical would still make a better choice.
I agree with @Tommie... when they give me the 204 Ruger as a take it or leave it, I'll take it every time.
Wouldn't mind having a domesticated 20 vartarg!
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
20 Nosler is coming...
www.thefirearmblog.com
I love my 204R. Have always had one in my arsenal since it’s debut in 2005. The main population of 20 cal shooters hand loads their ammo anyhow so I don’t think more commercially adopted 20 cal rounds is going to help that much.
The beauty of Wildcatting rounds is that it’s pretty easy and the world is your oyster. Necking down brass from any of the 22 cal rounds is very simple so no big deal there. I even neck down 6ppc which takes two steps but still simple to do and there is some 22ppc brass out there but it’s scarce.
I guess the cost savings with a new commercial 20 cal would be for those wanting to use a straight factory rifle. But that’s just not me... I think the nostalgia of wildcatting 20 cal rounds and building custom rifles for them is what keeps me coming back for more
.20 Nosler – a New Cartridge that is Not Yet Announced?!
SAAMI has accepted cartridge and chamber drawings of a couple of new cartridges.Both are Nosler cartridges.One is the recently announced .22 Nosler, which we covered in a separate article.
www.thefirearmblog.com
I love my 204R. Have always had one in my arsenal since it’s debut in 2005. The main population of 20 cal shooters hand loads their ammo anyhow so I don’t think more commercially adopted 20 cal rounds is going to help that much.
The beauty of Wildcatting rounds is that it’s pretty easy and the world is your oyster. Necking down brass from any of the 22 cal rounds is very simple so no big deal there. I even neck down 6ppc which takes two steps but still simple to do and there is some 22ppc brass out there but it’s scarce.
I guess the cost savings with a new commercial 20 cal would be for those wanting to use a straight factory rifle. But that’s just not me... I think the nostalgia of wildcatting 20 cal rounds and building custom rifles for them is what keeps me coming back for more
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Sub calibers have always been the industry step child. Besides, it’s a longer, heavier and faster twist driven world now.Great legacy varmint cartridges like the 222, 22/250 and 220 Swift have fell and been displaced.
Also, there‘s a huge void in the smaller form factor mini action market, whether it’s repeater, single shot or break open. Remember when you could by a smaller Sako or even a Rampro action.Rimless cases get all the glory, but there are great rimmed sub caliber cartridges as well, but where the readily available action platforms to support them?
In this “Creedmoor” world and with the sales of the 204 Ruger declining, is another .20 factory cartridge viable?
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I disagree. I like having things that aren't factory clambering. The vartarg is one of them. Domesticated it and you'll have a skinny jeans, flaming, 6.5 Creedmoor fan club weekend warrior group again.
20 Nosler is coming...
.20 Nosler – a New Cartridge that is Not Yet Announced?!
SAAMI has accepted cartridge and chamber drawings of a couple of new cartridges.Both are Nosler cartridges.One is the recently announced .22 Nosler, which we covered in a separate article.
I love my 204R. Have always had one in my arsenal since it’s debut in 2005. The main population of 20 cal shooters hand loads their ammo anyhow so I don’t think more commercially adopted 20 cal rounds is going to help that much.
The beauty of Wildcatting rounds is that it’s pretty easy and the world is your oyster. Necking down brass from any of the 22 cal rounds is very simple so no big deal there. I even neck down 6ppc which takes two steps but still simple to do and there is some 22ppc brass out there but it’s scarce.
I guess the cost savings with a new commercial 20 cal would be for those wanting to use a straight factory rifle. But that’s just not me... I think the nostalgia of wildcatting 20 cal rounds and building custom rifles for them is what keeps me coming back for more
That must be an old article... the 22 nosler came out a good while back now... and no 20 nosler. Maybe because the 22 nosler fell on its face right out the gate when it was released...?
Yep, 4 years still no 20 Nosler.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Yeah but supposedly Nosler still has plans for it. If they were smart they would have released the 20 first. The world is tired of 22’s.
I recently bought a bunch of 22 Nosler brass that I’m planning to neck down to 20 cal for a wildcat.
Why would you have to rename the 20 Practical?
I didnt say you have to. I said if a company marketed it and bulk ammo got produced for it they would probably rename it.. change the shoulder 1 degree and bam! A brand new best of the best 20 cal cartridge the "20 Federal".
Anything 20 cal is job specific.
In 2004 when the 204 was introduced, coyotes were not yet an urban problem. There were the above factory chamberings that could be used, plus 22WMR, 17HMR, and the ubiquitous 22LR.
What sells guns? Hunting, or anything that lends credence to manhood.
Toss out the 204 to magnum worshipers and mall ninjas, and it's as well received as a pill to cause erectile dysfunction.
When you consider how effective a cartridge like the 20 Vartarg is with only 18 grains of powder, it doesn't bode well for cartridges like the 20 Nosler, unless you're an "anything Nosler" fan boy.
In 2004 when the 204 was introduced, coyotes were not yet an urban problem. There were the above factory chamberings that could be used, plus 22WMR, 17HMR, and the ubiquitous 22LR.
What sells guns? Hunting, or anything that lends credence to manhood.
Toss out the 204 to magnum worshipers and mall ninjas, and it's as well received as a pill to cause erectile dysfunction.
When you consider how effective a cartridge like the 20 Vartarg is with only 18 grains of powder, it doesn't bode well for cartridges like the 20 Nosler, unless you're an "anything Nosler" fan boy.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I’ve had 20 VT, 20 Ackley Hornet, 20 TAC, 204 Ruger, 20 PPC, and now working on a new round based on a necked down 22 Nosler improved.
The little 20s are great, but when you want to really reach out there, they will never push the heavier higher BC bullets like the bigger 20s can. Simple physics.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Last I heard about the 20 Nosler, they had some issues with it. Some chatter that it was a pressure issue and it will not come to market.
I laugh anymore when I see folks dump on the 22 Nosler as a “loser”. I don’t have one in a gas gun, and no plans either. I did barrel up a bolt gun and am very pleased with it. Guys want to put a comparison and call it a try at a replacement for 22-250. Nope, but it does for sure split the difference in 5.56 and 22-250.
Stay away from the 22NOSLER, leaves more for those that know better ;-).
I laugh anymore when I see folks dump on the 22 Nosler as a “loser”. I don’t have one in a gas gun, and no plans either. I did barrel up a bolt gun and am very pleased with it. Guys want to put a comparison and call it a try at a replacement for 22-250. Nope, but it does for sure split the difference in 5.56 and 22-250.
Stay away from the 22NOSLER, leaves more for those that know better ;-).
No doubt. Same reason why there are so many different wildcats and cartridges.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Man does not live by the .204 Ruger alone.
If it wasn't for the "wildcat" guys, it sure would be a boring world.
And not one of my rigs (except the gas guns) will chamber a factory loaded round.
Just a little different.
If it wasn't for the "wildcat" guys, it sure would be a boring world.
And not one of my rigs (except the gas guns) will chamber a factory loaded round.
Just a little different.
Concur that the market potential may not be enough to attract a major manufacturer.
I wildcatted a 20 based on the 6.5 Grendel before the .204 was announced.
I discarded my dreams of pushing it toward a factory standard because the velocity performance potential for 40 gr and lighter bullets was only slighlty greater than the .204. Further, the .223 Rem bolt face compatibily made conversion rather straightforward for a lot of rifles.
The greatest advantage was that the Grendel-based 20 can handle 55 and 60 gr bullets with ease. Unfortunately interest in those weights in 20 cal is miniscule.
I wildcatted a 20 based on the 6.5 Grendel before the .204 was announced.
I discarded my dreams of pushing it toward a factory standard because the velocity performance potential for 40 gr and lighter bullets was only slighlty greater than the .204. Further, the .223 Rem bolt face compatibily made conversion rather straightforward for a lot of rifles.
The greatest advantage was that the Grendel-based 20 can handle 55 and 60 gr bullets with ease. Unfortunately interest in those weights in 20 cal is miniscule.
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