20 PPC vs. 22 PPC?

[flyrod]

Originally Posted by Gabe221

Check the ballistics on the 20 cal 55gr vs a 85gr whatever…

I agree. The 22 has superior ballistics at range, and the longer the shot the bigger the advantage. If you want to talk numbers, here are some basic ones from JBM:

20cal 55gr berger 0.182 BC 3400fps 10MPH drift at 600 yards:
5.1MOA

To match this, a 22cal 85.5gr berger 0.268 BC only needs to start at 2530fps.

With 22 you would have many more options for long range projectiles. Recoil would be more, but as I mentioned even with the 22 WSSM I have no trouble watching impacts in match conditions with various improvised shooting positions.

[L.Sherm]

So which is more important? Wind drift or Elevation? Are you good enough to make 10mph
wind calls at 600 especially without wind flags?
Are you good enough to hold 25" with an 85 instead 30" with a 20 55"?
Will a Grendel or PPC 22 case push a 85 at 2900? that's what I'm basing my numbers on.
A 22 85 at 2900 drops 15.5"more than a 20 cal at 3450 at 600
Theres alot more to this than numbers on a ballistics app.
If you've never shot the 20 call 55's then an app doesn't do them justice.
22 85 grain bullets superior, im not swallowing that.
What I will agree with is bullet selection.
If you can't get a 20 cal 55 gr bullet to shoot really well you have a problem some where and its not the bullets fault.

[Stan from Pa.]

I will take the large 20 caliber cartridge pushing those 55 grain Bergers any day of the week. Less is sometimes more

I will remember that warm afternoon of shooting groundhogs for a long while. The 20X47 Lapua pushing those 55's was making it seam too easy to hit those hogs out past 600 yards.

Stan

[steve b.]

Stan,

Can you post a photo of a 20 x 47 loaded round? I would love to see that beast.

s

[Stan from Pa.]

Steve,

It has been awhile since I've posted a pic to this forum, can you tell me if a picture hosting website is still needed?

Stan

[steve b.]

I know, right. I used Imgur. Don't worry about it if it's a pain, just random curiosity.

[AlbertaAl]

Comparing the 22PPC to 20PPC is like NIGHT AND DAY
I shot a 20PPC for 8 years loading 35-40gr bullets and lost count how many coyotes felt its wrath.
I'm currently shooting 20Cal x 55gr Bergers in a 20-250Ackley and feel its the perfect case capacity for THAT bullet because it takes horsepower to get the full benefit of that bullet weight in a 20Cal.
I would recommend a 50gr at the most for a 20PPC
The 22PPC will provide longer barrel life since velocities are similar to a factory 22-250. We all know the .224 Cal. offers a wide variety of bullet choices.
If you're investing in PPC tools ... might as well go with the 20PPC for top performance in accuracy, velocity, and long range shooting.
Shooting heavy bullets in 22PPC for long distance will require a lot of elevation in that small case.
Enjoy

[Gabe221]

Where’s the LIKE BUTTON !!!!!!

[flyrod]

Originally Posted by L.Sherm

So which is more important? Wind drift or Elevation?

For connecting at long range, wind drift is the biggest factor. By far. Gravity is relatively predictable, but like you said wind is mostly an educated guess. Wind can change drop slightly, but not nearly as much as drift.

Suppose you range a target, dial in the elevation, judge the wind, and make a shot that misses. If you can spot the impact and make a follow-up shot in say: 4 seconds, what can change in that time? Drop will be almost exactly the same, but what would a 3MPH shift in the wind do?

Nearly any long range rifle competition will be dominated by the highest BC bullets available, because wind is the tricky part. The main exception is PRS style competition where you need to spot your own shots. In this case there is a trade-off between recoil and BC. In something like F-class you see exactly where your last shot landed so people use the heaviest rifles and highest BC bullets possible.

The OP asked about a target/bench type rifle for long range use, including things like rangefinders and good optics. To me the "bench" style rifle means it can be heavy and recoil won't be a problem, and "long range" means wind will be. So in this situation, yes, a 22cal 85gr berger is better than a 20cal 55. For up close shooting where you just settle the crosshairs and watch something pop, then a fast/light bullet makes sense.

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by flyrod

For connecting at long range, wind drift is the biggest factor. By far. Gravity is relatively predictable, but like you said wind is mostly an educated guess. Wind can change drop slightly, but not nearly as much as drift.

Suppose you range a target, dial in the elevation, judge the wind, and make a shot that misses. If you can spot the impact and make a follow-up shot in say: 4 seconds, what can change in that time? Drop will be almost exactly the same, but what would a 3MPH shift in the wind do?

Nearly any long range rifle competition will be dominated by the highest BC bullets available, because wind is the tricky part. The main exception is PRS style competition where you need to spot your own shots. In this case there is a trade-off between recoil and BC. In something like F-class you see exactly where your last shot landed so people use the heaviest rifles and highest BC bullets possible.

The OP asked about a target/bench type rifle for long range use, including things like rangefinders and good optics. To me the "bench" style rifle means it can be heavy and recoil won't be a problem, and "long range" means wind will be. So in this situation, yes, a 22cal 85gr berger is better than a 20cal 55. For up close shooting where you just settle the crosshairs and watch something pop, then a fast/light bullet makes sense.

Very good reasoning and spot on.