Who has experience with the 20 and 220 Beggs?

[20 TAC]

Trying to decide whether to sell some 220 Russian brass or build a rifle around the brass. Main purpose would be to shoot some prairie dogs.
Looking for experience from anyone who has either or both chamberings. What is the case capacity? Expected velocities with 32 and 40 grain bullets in the 20 version, and 40-50 grain in the 22 version? Any watch-outs? Pics of loaded rounds would also be great if possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jcm24m]

Just build a PPC because of the shoulder angle. Your case length will not grow as fast. I have a 17 ppc, 20 ppc and a 22 ppc and all 3 go prairie dog hunting with me every year. If you still decide to build a Beggs, I might have a die to sell you.

 

[varminthunter1]

I built a 20 Russian on an older Stolle panda as a ground squirrel rifle.
I think I'm running 24.9 gr of LT32 and a 35 gr berger @ 3800fps

 

[7315br]

FWIW: It depends on what type of PD shooting you plan on doing. If it needs to be on Russian 220 brass, I'd definitely go with the 20PPC. I only shot 39/40 gr bullets in mine around 3900 fps. It is a absolute tack driver!! I've taken GS's to 600 yds with the 20PPC and PD's over 700 yds. I've built numerous different .20 cals over the years, and consider the 20PPC as one of the very best. The .20BR is great (and very accurate), but the 20 PPC beats it by far in barrel life. "If" you don't plan on shooting that far...there are numerous other .20 cals for shorter distances. The .20 Mink for 300yds in, the .20VT for 400 yds, and the .20JI for 500 yds+. My best .22 cal has been the .22-243 Improved. It goes easily to a 1000yds + for PD's.

Pictures: .20PPC Neiska, Panda .22-243 IMP, .22-243 Improved 100 yd group, .22-243 Improved 1000 yd group, (and my favorite) .20 Mink on the left and .22-243 Improved on the right for comparison...lol!

20PPC loaded rounds

Best of luck on your decision.

 

[L.Sherm]

FWIW: It depends on what type of PD shooting you plan on doing. If it needs to be on Russian 220 brass, I'd definitely go with the 20PPC. I only shot 39/40 gr bullets in mine around 3900 fps. It is a absolute tack driver!! I've taken GS's to 600 yds with the 20PPC and PD's over 700 yds. I've built numerous different .20 cals over the years, and consider the 20PPC as one of the very best. The .20BR is great (and very accurate), but the 20 PPC beats it by far in barrel life. "If" you don't plan on shooting that far...there are numerous other .20 cals for shorter distnaces. The .20 Mink for 300yds in, the .20VT for 400 yds, and the .20JI for 500 yds+. My best .22 cal has been the .22-243 Improved. It goes easily to a 1000yds + for PD's.

Pictures: .20PPC Neiska, Panda .22-243 IMP, .22-243 Improved 100 yd group, .22-243 Improved 1000 yd group, (and my favorite) .20 Mink on the left and .22-243 Improved on the right for comparison...lol!

Best of luck on your decision.

Very sound advice.

 

[jcm24m]

 

[jcm24m]

Here are two 10-shot groups while fire forming cases in my 17PPC at 100 yards. This gun gun is a real shooter. I was using Lapua brass.
Sorry for the over size pictures, I’ll get it corrected next time.

 

[L.Sherm]

Lapua 220 Russian brass?

 

[jcm24m]

Lapua 220 Russian brass?

Yes

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The 220 can run 52-55's at 3600-3650fps pretty comfortably with LT32 in most guns but that's at the top end, so work up to that rather than starting there

 

[20 TAC]

Can anyone share a pic of a Beggs vs 220 Russian vs PPC for visual reference?

 

[Jrjones]

This is a cool thread. Watching

 

[jcm24m]

 

[CWB]

I have been shooting the 20 Beggs for last 9-10 years. It is easy to load for. You don't have to fire form the case like you do with the PPC and the powder fills the case to the neck without much void. You simply neck the 220 Russian case down to 20 caliber and it is ready to load and shoot. I shoot only 39-40 grains bullets. I found the 39-40 grains bullets are a lot more consistent at 400-500 yards than the 32 grains. I use H322 and Benchmark powder. Speeds usually run around 3700-3750 with excellent accuracy! I have shot a lot of prairie dogs at long distance with it. It is one of my favorite guns along with my 20 Vartarg.