20 cal performance from a 15" barrel

[Kylongrifle]

Looking for imput from those how have gone before me.

For some reason in this time of pandemic my local sporting store has a shelf full of Nosler 34 gr 204 bullets at descent prices. I'm into shooting contenders on the pistol platform. So im wondering what is the most efficient case to use in 20 cal with a 15" barrel.
I'm thinking on the lines of a 20 ? Bee. I have a 17 Ackley Bee so I have plenty of extra brass to work with but dies may be an issue Or the 20VT as I do have some 221FB brass that is a candidate for necking down.

My main use for this barrel would be groundhog hunting in small field lots so shooting from 25 to 200 yards. Probably don't really need a 20 cal Barrel. I have four 17's and five 6mm's and just sold the only 22 cal I had. But I never really thought I would need a 17 till I got my first one and got hooked.

Thanks, Mike

[Bill K]

I would go with a 20 VT. Super fine all around 20 caliber.

[jimreed1948]

I shoot the 20VT in a single shot bolt action Specialty Pistol. Before I made this, I considered a Contender, but then I found a good buy on a virgin action Remington 700 left bolt and used this instead. It has has a 15.5" barrel. Even out of this short barrel, it is very accurate.

It has very mild recoil. I use a Nightforce SHV scope and just added a brake. Only reason the brake was added, it allows me to see my hits/misses.

[FastPPC]

The little 20 does well with a 15" barrel. I built a 20 SCC last year with a 15" barrel and a XP 100 R action. I've been really impressed with the performance. Its shooting 32gr Nosler and 32 gr V Max at over 3600 FPS with AA 2200. I was shooting PD's this last summer @ 350-400 yards with her. Really a fun caliber.

As Bill K said a 20 VT is also a great option. I can assure you that if you put one together you'll love it.

[Hog Patrol]

One data point, in an XP-100. 20 Practical, 17" barrel, 40 gr. BIB bullets and VV133, average velocity 3680.

[Qaz]

I used to shoot a Super 14 in 223 on VA groundhogs, what a fun gun! It went down the road and I got a 17FB rifle because I started stretching the yardage out, but it was hell on the groundhogs out to 200ish yrds. I always thought a 17AH or 17AB would be a better chambering for the contender. I would think in a 20 caliber that the Bee case would be the cats meow.

Qaz

[Daryl]

.20 Killer Bee?

[Kylongrifle]

Thanks you all for you response. Since I have the brass to go with either the 20VT or 20 Killer Bee I think my next step would be to try to see if dies are available. I lean towards the Bee option as I prefer a rimmed case in the Contenders.
Another taught and has anyone tried the 20VT rimmed using 360 Dan Wesson brass?

[ray h]

Ky-- I think GW has. You might have to watch the base dia of the 360 DW compared to the 20 Vartarg reamer. 357 run a little bigger than 223 family cases.

[GLWenzl]

I have made brass from both the 360 DW as well as 357 Max brass for a17 Mach IV as well as the 17WS (which is longer yet, probably around the 17 Jav length) and it works awesome for both as well as the 17 Jet.

The 360 DW brass in the 17WS turns out where I only have to trim a small amount off... on the 17 Mach IV Rimmed (Bullberry barrel that I just sold last week) will probably need to be run through the mini chop saw first (I’ll soon jog my memory, cause I’m making another batch of brass for him that I recently picked up at Graff & sons snd had shipped to my place.

The 20 killer Bee is really an outstanding round... maybe it was just the rifle was shooting it in but honestly, I had never seen so much red most in my scope as I have with that one. If 32 gr bullets are your preference, I’d personally give the KB the nod... good luck with dies. I have Hornady and lead time on custom dies might be more for toe grandchildren thank you lol

That said, you’ll never go wrong with the VT.