20 PPC vs. 22 PPC?

[L.Sherm]

So whats the difference if you hold 30" or 25"? Or dial its about 3 clicks difference at 600

[flyrod]

Back when I was shooting F-class regularly I was playing with the ballistics calculator and it was saying that my bullets were still supersonic past 2000 yards. I thought this was pretty impressive so for fun we set up a 2x2 foot steel plate out in the desert and backed up 2000 yards. I calculated the drop and dialed the elevation turret, took a guess at the wind and set that, and sent one down range. My very first shot ever at 2000 yards had perfect elevation and was about 10 feet to the right. This left an impression. So between the accuracy of the advertised BC value for the bullet, the accuracy of the elevation turret on my scope, the accuracy of the laser rangefinder, the accuracy of the chronograph reported speed, and the accuracy of the ballistics calculator, the biggest error (by far) was my estimation of the wind. It did not take long before that steel plate had a lot of the paint knocked off.

[L.Sherm]

I dont think we even established if a ppc sized case will even push a 85 at 2900 im giving it a benefit of the doudt. I doudt very seriously if the majority of people are gonna be shooting in a 10mph wind anyway unless your in competition and have too which I'm guessing the O.P. doesn't plan on it is my guess.

[Gabe221]

Originally Posted by flyrod

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.

20ppc-55gr-3500fps velocity
22ppc-85gr-2200-2300fps would be velocity protected

I shoot a 20BRAI w/ the 55gr running 3700fps-
7moa up from 100yd zero to 600yds.
This is what I have to do when testing- then move to 600yd BR competition.
Just my experience

[AlbertaAl]

Originally Posted by Gabe221

20ppc-55gr-3500fps velocity
22ppc-85gr-2200-2300fps would be velocity protected

I shoot a 20BRAI w/ the 55gr running 3700fps-
7moa up from 100yd zero to 600yds.
This is what I have to do when testing- then move to 600yd BR competition.
Just my experience

that's a 20BR ackley improved ... ??
if I read that correctly ?
It is the same Cal. I shot for 8 years with 39 Blitz King...flat, fast, accurate and deadly on coyotes

My opinion ...3700 is perfect velocity for the 55gr., However, I'm surprised that you can get 3700 from such a small case. What powder and primer are you using ? thanks

[L.Sherm]

Gabe and I use the same combo, RL15 and 450 primer.

[Gabe221]

Originally Posted by AlbertaAl

that's a 20BR ackley improved ... ??


My opinion ...3700 is perfect velocity for the 55gr., However, I'm surprised that you can get 3700 from such a small case. What powder and primer are you using ? thanks

The BRAI case -
Dasher speeds with 1-1/2gr less powder.
Sherm nailed-RL15-450 primers

[PSween]

After three pages of good info, I think I have a winner, or at least a decision. Based on bullet, brass, and tooling availabilty, I'm pretty much set on a 22 Grendel. After days of running numbers, I think a 7.5 twist 27" Grendel will let me shoot up to 85-88 gn. bullets for longer range informal targets (I can get back to about 750 in my backyard range). I can shoot a 55-60 gn. varmint bullet fast enough to have some fun on critters up closer too. The 55 gn Bergers in a 20 are pretty impressive, but I hate to tie a project to one semi-available bullet when there's so many .22s out there. Now to start ordering stuff!

Patrick

[17VLD]

Definitely two camps here.I think we can all agree bullet selection definitely plays a role here. I have always said we need more 20 caliber bullets for distant targets and varmints.One day I hope we see a 48, 50, and 52 ELD-X or similar poly tipped bullet in 20 caliber. I also think the BR case and it’s family of wildcats is king for 600 yards and beyond for our purposes. Your idea to use the Grendel case makes sense because it’s gonna give you velocity closer to what a BR would do.I know you are set on the Howa but a custom action would definitely help in your quest for better accuracy out beyond 600 yards. Also some custom actions allow you to extract both ppc and br cases easily from the same action.Then a simple barrel change will let you shoot a completely different cartridge choice.
Shooting the bigger 20s at distance is very rewarding and while not everyone’s choice once done you will be hooked. Your choice is exactly that, yours. It totally makes sense due to all the 22 caliber bullet choices and I’m sure it will give you lots of fun. Perhaps down the road once you’ve got this project going you can get a 20 caliber barrel too. My 20 Dasher with the old Berger 50s at 4100 made a believer out of me.Good luck and keep us posted.

[L.Sherm]

My advice to anyone building a 20 or 22 cal whatever it is buy atleast enough bullets for the life of the barrel.