Small 20 cal project

[Dstaffk5]

Looking to build 2 small 20 calibers so my son and I can hunt ground squirrels here in AZ. They are not big in my area. Would fit in your hand. Maybe stand 6 inches high. Shots would be 200 yards and less. A 24 grain bullet is what I was thinking. What are small 20 cal options that would reload cheap and would have long barrel life? We already have 20 pracs, 204 rugers, 20br. I was thinking like a 20 tcm, or 20 squirrel. What are some of the smaller 20 cal wildcats out there? I am ordering Kindlers books today, but though I would start this thread anyway.

 

[DogBuster]

20 Vartarg...........

Not sure of brass availability though

 

[AWS]

For me it would depend on the platform. With something like a Contender or Ruger #1 or I'd do a 20 Hornet or 20 Bee, something with a rim for better extraction. A bolt gun, a 20 Fireball or 20-222 or 20 Practical(you don't have to load it hot). In an AR the same as the bolt, close your gas block and shoot it.like.a bolt.

You might want to look at the various 19s from Calhoun Bullets.. Also Bluedot and 800x loads from Calhoun in the 222 and 223, I use his loads in my 222 with 800x and 33-45 grain Hornet and Bee bullets.

 

[Dstaffk5]

I would do it on a bolt gun. I think vartarg, practical, 20-222 are all more than I need/want.

 

[Tommie]

For short ranges a 20 Hornet would be pretty easy as long as your gun has the appropriate boltface.

 

[linebaugh]

You asked...soooo here 's my recommendation. I've tried a number of small 20's through the years, and have settled on the .20 MInk (Kevin Harrington's design). It has a little more range than the .20 Squirrel (250 yard shots), and can easily go over 300 yards if required.

It has very low bbl heat which is important to me out in the squirrel fields when the shooting is heavy. I only clean it every (300) rds. It has no muzzle jump and doesn't require a brake. I find it has more hitting power than the small .17's with the 32 gr, V-Max compared to the 20 gr V-Max.

The cases are easy to make and last for 8-10 reloads. It shoots less than 10 grs of pistol powder. It's a shortened (.250") case and a necked down 22 Hornet to .20 cal, and blown out to a 30* shoulder. Fire forming loads are very accurate. I've never had one that shot less than .3" groups and mostly a lot better. Barrel life is at least 8,000 rds. I currently have two. I have .20 VT's and .20 JI's also, but usually end up staying with the .20 Minks. They are hard to beat! Best of luck on your decision. 3rd picture is a .20 Mink on the left compared to my .22/.243 Imp.

What does brass forming/making look like on the mink? Velocity on 32gr bullets?

 

[Phil]

You asked...soooo here 's my recommendation. I've tried a number of small 20's through the years, and have settled on the .20 MInk (Kevin Harrington's design). It has a little more range than the .20 Squirrel (250 yard shots), and can easily go over 300 yards if required.

It has very low bbl heat which is important to me out in the squirrel fields when the shooting is heavy. I only clean it every (300) rds. It has no muzzle jump and doesn't require a brake. I find it has more hitting power than the small .17's with the 32 gr, V-Max compared to the 20 gr V-Max.

The cases are easy to make and last for 8-10 reloads. It shoots less than 10 grs of pistol powder. It's a shortened (.250") case and a necked down 22 Hornet to .20 cal, and blown out to a 30* shoulder. Fire forming loads are very accurate. I've never had one that shot less than .3" groups and mostly a lot better. Barrel life is at least 8,000 rds. I currently have two. I have .20 VT's and .20 JI's also, but usually end up staying with the .20 Minks. They are hard to beat! Best of luck on your decision. 3rd picture is a .20 Mink on the left compared to my .22/.243 Imp.

Is that a BAT action with a Hornet bolt?

 

[Phil]

Yes. I built them on CZ's, Rugerr 77 22 Hornet, and a very rare Farley with a Hornet bf.

I`ll have to see if BAT still offers that bolt..............Hmmmmm

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Stick with 32gr bullet weight as a minimum. The super light 20 cal bullets like Barnes Varmint Grenade will never shoot as good. All the bullets on my shelf are 39gr and heavier for that reason

As for a cartridge, just hit the easy button and build a 20 Practical or 20 TAC because they use 223 brass. Very accurate, fast, and no need for fireforming either. Brass is one pass in a FL die, load them up and go have fun.

 

[Dstaffk5]

Stick with 32gr bullet weight as a minimum. The super light 20 cal bullets like Barnes Varmint Grenade will never shoot as good. All the bullets on my shelf are 39gr and heavier for that reason

As for a cartridge, just hit the easy button and build a 20 Practical or 20 TAC because they use 223 brass. Very accurate, fast, and no need for fireforming either. Brass is one pass in a FL die, load them up and go have fun.

I already have 2 20 practicals. I don't need/want something that requires 20 grains or more powder for something as small as these ground squirrels.

 

[jepp2]

I would start this thread anyway.

I would use my 17 HMR. Doesn't meet your criteria, but works just fine for me.

 

[Dstaffk5]

I would use my 17 HMR. Doesn't meet your criteria, but works just fine for me.

Have 3. Want something I can reload

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I don't need/want something that requires 20 grains or more powder for something as small as these ground squirrels.

Sorry, my mistake. I've only been shooting ground squirrels my entire life in Montana so what the heck would i know??? Not sure how many thousands of squirrels I've killed over the years, but I'm sure it's not enough to know anything yet...

I've had 20 Ackley Hornet and 20 VarTarg in the past. Sold them and no plans to ever build another 20 cal smaller than a 20 Prac/TAC. Faster 20 cals are better in the wind and the devastation they deliver is way more satisfying. On good days when you can get the squirrels to line up on a mound, it's nice to have a round that can let you get doubles and triples with one shot. 20 Hornet variants won't do that past 100 yards. Slow, lesser accuracy, finicky load development, and ALL Hornet brass is complete garbage! 20 VarTarg is OK but I see no reason for all the expense on buying Fireball brass or the excessive work involved for making cases from 223. Waste of time and effort for a cartridge that won't perform as well in the wind or at long range as larger 20 cals

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Neck up a 17 Hornet - plenty of brass.

 

[SmokinJoe]

If you want something small and fun, look at a wildcat based on M1 Carbine brass, which has a rim diameter very close to the Hornet. Another option would be a TCM necked down which uses the 223 bolt face. I am using a Howa Mini 223 action for a 22 Spitfire/ 5.7 Johnson based on the carbine brass and it works great as a single shot.
Are these ground squirrels what are also called gophers?

 

[JB10]

17 fireball, 22k hornet. Im here in az also. Those squirrels are small. I see them all over the desert when i predator hunt

 

[Dstaffk5]

If you want something small and fun, look at a wildcat based on M1 Carbine brass, which has a rim diameter very close to the Hornet. Another option would be a TCM necked down which uses the 223 bolt face. I am using a Howa Mini 223 action for a 22 Spitfire/ 5.7 Johnson based on the carbine brass and it works great as a single shot.
Are these ground squirrels what are also called gophers?

Very small. This is why I want a very small reloadable cartridge. A 17 hmr turns them inside out.

 

[Hippy]

I have owned about every 22 Hornet ( including K) known 2 man and have never had any luck getting accuracy BUTT have a 218 Bee that was accurate including 2 Mashburns
It has probably been done B4 use the Mashburn version necked to 20 caliber my thinking is that the cases are better
Jim

 

[JB10]

I think any cartridge would destroy those squirrels. Are you trying to minimize damage? If so what about an air rifle? I understand wanting to keep it to a centerfire. Theres just not much to them.

 

[Dstaffk5]

I think any cartridge would destroy those squirrels. Are you trying to minimize damage? If so what about an air rifle? I understand wanting to keep it to a centerfire. Theres just not much to them.

Want to reload with my son as well...bonding time. There's calibers out here that will load with 10 grains of powder and have extremely long barrel life.