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20 Practical (20-223) Project
Just an informational post about pet loads and my most recent project. About 4 months ago I started my journey into the custom rifle scene. I’ve always been an accuracy freak growing up with my grandfather’s Cooper’s and his love for prairie dog hunting. So together we started in on our 20 Practical. McGowen Precision barrel 1/11” twist, savage target action, on a Richards microfit Claro walnut stock. I had browsed the forums looking for pet loads knowing I would use 35 gr Berger’s. After getting my barrel and installation, glass bedding, free floating was finished I settled in on load progression. Starting with H335 I worked from 24 grains to 25.2 grains at .005” off the lands. After working my way up to 25.2 (1tenth of a grain more than the max charge in the Berger manual) I saw no pressure signs on the CCI-450 primers, but didn’t want to go higher because 3675 FPS is enough for me and the accuracy was unreal (.238” group with a hunting scope off cheap bags). I tried H322 and H4895 which both had good accuracy and standard deviations, but didn’t throw as accurate as H335. Next step is looking for a little better scope for shooting off the bench. Hope you find my project interesting.
Thanks, -Jake |
#2
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Pics
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#3
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Looks very nice and appears you have found the load it likes. Now some photo's of the critters it has or will take, as they come out. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the fold. Bill K
I went one step further, with the 20-223 AI and the 40 degree shoulder. It is a shooter also. |
#4
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.20 Practicals are off the charts with 40 grain BIB bullets and VV133. Different strokes but there's zero need for magnum primers. I use Federal 205s.
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#5
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Honestly I stumbled upon the mag primers. I was using BR-4s but ran out. Found some 450s cheap and just worked great. I’m open to trying more loads with different powders, primers, and bullets moving forward, but after my first 75 shots I’m very satisfied.
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#6
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Bill I’m hoping to take a trip west next year. I’m currently finishing up college so a lot of the limited spare time I have is spent on my rifles. Until then it may be the occasional coyote or fox
Last edited by Jwhip; 09-08-2020 at 02:05 AM. Reason: Incorrectly quoted the wrong person |
#7
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Nice project with impressive results.
Could you share the length and "profile" of the McGowen bbl? Thanks,,, Dave |
#8
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Yep! This is a 26” with the “McGowen #7” contour. It’s their medium target. Rifle came together at 13 pounds exactly. Probably a little more once I get a good target scope on there.
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#9
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Thanks Jake for the added specs. Sweet package that I believe you will really enjoy time "on the bags" with.
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#10
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G'day JWhip.
I really like the lines of that rifle, looks like a terrific project and shoots incredibly well also - what's not to like?!? Marcus |
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