Small 20 cal project

[nakneker]

I wanted a 22 Mink for a long time, I’ve always been fascinated with the 22, 20 and 17 Mink, something about reloading a small cartridge like that really appeals to.

Back in the early nineties I use to go out east of power road in Mesa Arizona and shoot buckets of those little critters, I’m not even sure they are squirrel, look more like a morphed product of a squirrel and prairie dog party but smaller. Back then we used small rifles, mostly rimfire. Now that area is covered in subdivisions businesses and freeways. Sad.

I have a 20-222 I just had made which would do a good job, I have two hornets and one K hornet, they would do a good job too. My standard hornets are a #1 and a CZ 527, the little CZ shoots very small, the #1 shoots ok. If you don’t like anything that shoots more than 10 grains of powder I’d vote 20 Mink. Just sounds like a lot of fun reloading for it and spending time with your son shooting those little squirrel rats.

There’s no wrong choice imo when it comes to a critter that small. Any 20 caliber is gonna be fun if it shoots itty bitty groups.

 

[Dstaffk5]

I wanted a 22 Mink for a long time, I’ve always been fascinated with the 22, 20 and 17 Mink, something about reloading a small cartridge like that really appeals to.

Back in the early nineties I use to go out east of power road in Mesa Arizona and shoot buckets of those little critters, I’m not even sure they are squirrel, look more like a morphed product of a squirrel and prairie dog party but smaller. Back then we used small rifles, mostly rimfire. Now that area is covered in subdivisions businesses and freeways. Sad.

I have a 20-222 I just had made which would do a good job, I have two hornets and one K hornet, they would do a good job too. My standard hornets are a #1 and a CZ 527, the little CZ shoots very small, the #1 shoots ok. If you don’t like anything that shoots more than 10 grains of powder I’d vote 20 Mink. Just sounds like a lot of fun reloading for it and spending time with your son shooting those little squirrel rats.

There’s no wrong choice imo when it comes to a critter that small. Any 20 caliber is gonna be fun if it shoots itty bitty groups.

They are called round tailed ground squirrels.

 

[nakneker]

They are called round tailed ground squirrels.

Thats them.

 

[Bill K]

20 VarTarg

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

Not sure of brass availability though

. Brass can be made by reforming 223 or 222 Rem and even LC brass, with just a couple steps. And some on the web site sell formed brass. Members and places like Sleeping Giant brass.

 

[chuckshooter]

My 20 Ackley hornet uses 14grs of 1680. 32 vmax . My 20 killer bee uses 16.9 . Usally First guns out in the morning at a field of squirrels. Very accurate killing machines.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

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

I think we differ greatly in the definition of "inside out". Build a 6mm Remington pushing a 75gr hollow point at 3,600 fps or a 204 Ruger pushing a 39gr BlitzKing at 4,000 fps. Go shoot some ground squirrels with those rifles, then after comparing the differences to your 17 HMR, come back and tell me if you still think a HMR turns them "inside out"

 

[Dstaffk5]

I think we differ greatly in the definition of "inside out". Build a 6mm Remington pushing a 75gr hollow point at 3,600 fps or a 204 Ruger pushing a 39gr BlitzKing at 4,000 fps. Go shoot some ground squirrels with those rifles, then after comparing the differences to your 17 HMR, come back and tell me if you still think a HMR turns them "inside out"

And I think you are completely misunderstanding my post. I already have 2 20 practicals. I already have 2 204 Rugers. I also have a 20 br and will also be building a 20ppc. I want something smaller, that uses less powder, that is 20 caliber, has excellent barrel life, and is different than what I already have. The ground squirrels are very small and if a 17 hmr tears them up, then a 20 mink, squirrel, tcm, or similar will do even more.

 

[JohnHenry]

A single shot 20 Squirrel or 20 Mink.

Cartridge Comparisons

Check out http://tripledeuce.net!

tripledeuce.net

 

[L.Sherm]

Have you considered Calhoons 19 Badger if you want something different and smaller.

 

[JSH]

I would vote for a straight up 20 Hornet or a K version, just for ease of use.
I dislike a rimmed Hornet case in a magazine myself. Maybe Sako would make me smile, never owned one.
I am not a fan of a break action either. To much disturbance on the bags/rest and re acquire the target. One of the little falling blocks would work. Finding some one to do the work may be a chore.

The 30 Carbine sounds like a dandy, but I myself would not look forward to sizing from 30 to 20, then what kind of brass lost in the process.
I have seen some speak of the TCM, but very little.

Action wise, the RimX makes me think of silly ideas using the 17WSM bolt head. That action in a center fire using all but unobtainable brass for the CCM’s.

 

[L1986]

I have always thought a 20 ackley bee or killer bee would be a lot of fun! I have a 17 AB and it’s a great round and efficient as all get out! However the brass situation is terrible! I’m not usually disparaged by component selection when it comes to cartridge selection but this one is different. The brass is extremely hard to come by and not very durable after the forming process. Maybe the 20 would be better but I loose quite a few to split necks after Fireforming. Anyway I do like the ackley bee just wish brass was better

 

[SmokinJoe]

In my experience a lot of the magic in forming these small cases is in getting the pre-form anneal right, then re-annealing after the brass is formed. You have to experiment just a little but not a difficult thing. Just do a few at a time until you get it figured out. Your procedure may need to be modified for different brands of brass also.

 

[urbanrifleman]

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?

I always wondered about that TCM. Looks like a shrunk down 6br.

 

[Dgd6mm]

My 20 Ackley hornet uses 14grs of 1680. 32 vmax . My 20 killer bee uses 16.9 . Usally First guns out in the morning at a field of squirrels. Very accurate killing machines.

These sound interesting. What's wrong with these? How is the barrel life?
Just trying to learn something as I follow your thread.

 

[B23]

Either necked up to .204 or down to .177 something off of the HK 4.6x30 would make for a fun 17/20 Hornet substitute. I'm not sure what the brass quality is like but it would eliminate the use of a rimmed case, like the Hornet, and has to be better brass then the FN five seven.

 

[DogBuster]

20 VarTarg

. Brass can be made by reforming 223 or 222 Rem and even LC brass, with just a couple steps. And some on the web site sell formed brass. Members and places like Sleeping Giant brass.

My thoughts were 221 FB brass availability

223 & 222 can be more labor intensive for some....including myself

Formed brass is the way to go

 

[K9TXS]

The 20 VT is hard to beat. I use a 10 twist for 32 & 40 gr Vmax.

When I first start out for the day, it is with a 17 HMR. Very accurate out to the distance you mentioned. With a suppressor, you can shoot a lot more before they go down. After they're down, I switch over the the 20 VT for longer shots. You can easily shoot to 400 with the 20 VT.

 

[farmerjohn]

And I think you are completely misunderstanding my post. I already have 2 20 practicals. I already have 2 204 Rugers. I also have a 20 br and will also be building a 20ppc. I want something smaller, that uses less powder, that is 20 caliber, has excellent barrel life, and is different than what I already have. The ground squirrels are very small and if a 17 hmr tears them up, then a 20 mink, squirrel, tcm, or similar will do even more.

Don't ever try and apply practicality to a project that you want to do if it involves wildcatting! And don't let anyone talk you out of it! The trip getting there is always fun. I would look at something like 32 S&Ws, even the 32 mags, something with a rim and the capacity you want. With the right necking down tools it's not a big deal, make you a case, see how much trouble it is, when you find what you like have a reamer made. Maybe make sure they are a little generous at the.200 line so you can resize the cases easily, this is supposed to be fun... John

 

[farmerjohn]

By the way I always wanted to build a 38 or 357 bumble bee and now I'm too old... don't be like me... John

 

[chuckshooter]

By the way I always wanted to build a 38 or 357 bumble bee and now I'm too old... don't be like me... John

I looked into these but, ended up building rimmed vartargs out of DW360 cases.