Saubier.com  



Go Back   Saubier.com > Saubier.com Forums > Project Guns

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-07-2020, 10:01 PM
Jwhip Jwhip is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 12
Default 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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-07-2020, 10:21 PM
Jwhip Jwhip is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 12
Default Pics

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-07-2020, 11:13 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N.E. Kommie Kalifornia
Posts: 6,304
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-08-2020, 01:37 AM
Hog Patrol Hog Patrol is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 1,481
Default

.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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-08-2020, 02:00 AM
Jwhip Jwhip is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 12
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-08-2020, 02:04 AM
Jwhip Jwhip is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 12
Default

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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-09-2020, 05:53 PM
Old Tree Old Tree is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: High Desert-So. Calif.
Posts: 20
Default

Nice project with impressive results.
Could you share the length and "profile" of the McGowen bbl?

Thanks,,, Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-09-2020, 10:59 PM
Jwhip Jwhip is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 12
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tree View Post
Nice project with impressive results.
Could you share the length and "profile" of the McGowen bbl?

Thanks,,, Dave
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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-10-2020, 08:55 PM
Old Tree Old Tree is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: High Desert-So. Calif.
Posts: 20
Default

Thanks Jake for the added specs. Sweet package that I believe you will really enjoy time "on the bags" with.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-12-2020, 01:59 AM
Branxhunter Branxhunter is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 74
Default

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
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.