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  #1  
Old 01-06-2022, 07:01 PM
jtf jtf is offline
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Default This Little .20 and New .223 Brass

I sold my 20vtg and both .221fb stuff, one pistol and a couple rifles. Since, have gone towards the .223 and have lots of reloading supplies to continue that direction.

However, I'm adding another factory Savage rifle in 7 twist .223, and as many here know, the barrels are famously easy to switch according to bolt face.

The little 20 caliber bullets are hard for me to hold onto sometimes, but kept all the reloading tools to pick it back up. The two calibers to switch up without so much case work are the 20 Practical and the 6mm X 45 using .223 brass.

I know nothing about the 20 practical, would it be as good to shoot as the .204 Ruger? Because there are lots of prefit and factory Savage barrels available as .204. But without hunting new brass, would rather stay with this .223 supply in the shop.

A second question, I'm about to purchase some new .223 brass for a supply, Winchester is available, what else is?
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  #2  
Old 01-06-2022, 07:19 PM
csterner csterner is offline
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the 20 Practical or 20 Tactical are both proven options for using 223 brass with simple necking down and fireforming to your chamber. Win brass is fine. LC or Lapua is better.
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Old 01-06-2022, 08:21 PM
coyotespotter coyotespotter is offline
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Neither the P or T will reach 204R velocities in real life. But I do like my 20p, I have a 204R also. When I need a new barrel on my Savage 223 varmint, I will get a prefit 20p barrel. BIL just had a problem with some new Win 222 brass, a neck cracked 2nd firing. Middle road load, he has not had a problem with Lapua 222. I made some 20p from new Win 223 brass haven't used it. I'm still running LC having no primer pocket or case body issues and I run loads hot for coyote.
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  #4  
Old 01-07-2022, 02:38 PM
jimreed1948 jimreed1948 is offline
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This link will take you to some 20 Practical articles at AccurateShooter.com

You might also check out their forums since there is a good bit of information there as well.
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  #5  
Old 01-07-2022, 05:29 PM
Poncho83 Poncho83 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coyotespotter View Post
Neither the P or T will reach 204R velocities in real life. But I do like my 20p, I have a 204R also. When I need a new barrel on my Savage 223 varmint, I will get a prefit 20p barrel. BIL just had a problem with some new Win 222 brass, a neck cracked 2nd firing. Middle road load, he has not had a problem with Lapua 222. I made some 20p from new Win 223 brass haven't used it. I'm still running LC having no primer pocket or case body issues and I run loads hot for coyote.
I disagree. I have several 20T's that I have built in both bolt and gas guns.

My Tikka Bolt action is shooting 39gr Blitzkings 3913fps (22" barrel).
My gas gun is shooting the 32gr VMAX 4035fps (20" barrel).
My second gas gun is shooting 40gr Vmax 3915fps (22" barrel).

On a side note, while working up loads for a Savage I had built to shoot the 20T, I was using the 32gr Ballistic Tips and worked all the way up to 4305fps with no pressure signs. I dropped this load down to 4100fps because that was the best grouping.
Granted these are all loaded on the hot side of things, but safe in my rifles. I am not 100% sure what velocities can be reached in the Ruger but I would say I am very close if not faster than the Ruger.

Happy Shooting
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Old 01-07-2022, 05:50 PM
foxhunter foxhunter is offline
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the 204 rugers i have owned had a long throat ala weatherby design. not an issue if the loaded cartridge will eject a loaded round from your action, an issue with short action sako's.
my 20 tac doesn't give up anything to the 204 ruger and is extremely accurate.
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  #7  
Old 01-07-2022, 07:12 PM
SmokinJoe SmokinJoe is offline
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And then there is also the 20-223AI which is a bit faster than all those others. Easily getting 4050 with a 39 BK from a 26" barrel and with great accuracy, too. Easy cartridge to do.
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Old 01-07-2022, 07:12 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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I have some 204's and also 20 Tactical. Did start with the 20 Practical, but when I made a 20 Tac and saw how it shot in comparison, I sold the 20 practical and stayed with the 20 Tac.
Too me it just gave better overall preformance and it along with the 204 R shoot side by side in FPS and accuracy, in my rifles.
I must add however, that any of the three will do a fine job, with a load worked up that is accurate, for any varmint shooting you would like. All of these, for me, in a bolt action.
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