.20 caliber estate rifle build

[Hugnot]

I plan to build a .20 caliber rifle that will be part of my estate but is not being built for that purpose. .

I have a .223 Ruger Hawkeye, latest version of M77 MKII, about 5000 rounds thru barrel during past 4 years by multiple happy users. Can't see much of leade no more. I tuned trigger, about 2# pull, breaks clean. Action timing great, bolt handle hits receiver bridge just right to open bolt real easy.

I am about to re-barrel this rifle that will be part of my estate and am asking for opinions of re-barrel & stock options. What would be the most useful & popular for shooters other than me? Is the .20P a "funny" round? How do others look at the selection?

Caliber .20P or .204 R, both with 11 twist. No bolt face enlargement. No unusual rebated brass. No exotic or boutique brass,

Barrels, 5R rifling, 11 twist & suitable/proportional for barrel & carry, high comb, wood or laminate stocks. Nothing garish or grotesque. No plastic.

(1) A light trim 22 inch #2 contour barrel with stock proportioned to match select grade Claro walnut or Bastogne walnut stock, either .20P or .204R. Easy carry, 7 pounds or less.

(2) A mid weight #3 or #4 contour, 24 inch long with above walnut or laminate stock and wider flat bottom forend. A compromise

(3) A real effective rodent rifle, having a #4 or #5 contour, 26 inch barrel with laminate stock and proportoned forend. Seeing bullet hits at distant targets is great. Sort of specialized.

An observation being the lady people admire the (1) type rifles having graceful nice walnut stocks but like to shoot types (2) & (3) more. Mastering .20P loading demands would be real easy but being able to buy a loaded box of 50 .204R rounds would be nice should you be living in a small apartment at some distant university town. Some still have much of 1st dollar ever earned, resale value important. Some are robust late teens having many tough sports abilities, weight no big deal..

Next - selection of scope, no less than 16X, 18X and more better, smallest prefered, good or better glass, 2nd FP, objective 50mm - don't plan on huge scope for type (1) rifle. Cost less than $750. Mounting options to match comb height, and get reticle center near bore axis on Ruger investment cast receiver. I have been using Burris Ruger/Weaver base adaptor & Wiegand 20MOA Ruger base that allow limited lateral movement of reticle centered scope to get sort of a good bore sight. Possibly there might be some other option? Drilling & tapping action for EGW 20MOA base is an option but I don't want to get a drill press, & taps & other for job or wait for a pro to do job.

For me, being real olde, the type (1) rifle in .20P having a better than select grade Bastogne walnut stock with short, light weight 15X or 16X, 42 or 44 mm objective scope would be my 1st choice. Should the results non definitive a (1) type in .20P will happen. I have lots of rifles.

I got a good deal on a 1" tube Swarovski Z5 scope, 1 inch tube, 3.5-18X44, just under 16 oz, but kind of long at 14 ". Might put that on rifle.

 

[akdad]

I love the idea of the 20p but i think for a lot people like factory ammo

 

[cdherman]

I plan to build a .20 caliber rifle that will be part of my estate but is not being built for that purpose. .

I have a .223 Ruger Hawkeye, latest version of M77 MKII, about 5000 rounds thru barrel during past 4 years by multiple happy users. Can't see much of leade no more. I tuned trigger, about 2# pull, breaks clean. Action timing great, bolt handle hits receiver bridge just right to open bolt real easy.

I am about to re-barrel this rifle that will be part of my estate and am asking for opinions of re-barrel & stock options. What would be the most useful & popular for shooters other than me? Is the .20P a "funny" round? How do others look at the selection?

Caliber .20P or .204 R, both with 11 twist. No bolt face enlargement. No unusual rebated brass. No exotic or boutique brass,

Barrels, 5R rifling, 11 twist & suitable/proportional for barrel & carry, high comb, wood or laminate stocks. Nothing garish or grotesque. No plastic.

(1) A light trim 22 inch #2 contour barrel with stock proportioned to match select grade Claro walnut or Bastogne walnut stock, either .20P or .204R. Easy carry, 7 pounds or less.

(2) A mid weight #3 or #4 contour, 24 inch long with above walnut or laminate stock and wider flat bottom forend. A compromise

(3) A real effective rodent rifle, having a #4 or #5 contour, 26 inch barrel with laminate stock and proportoned forend. Seeing bullet hits at distant targets is great. Sort of specialized.

An observation being the lady people admire the (1) type rifles having graceful nice walnut stocks but like to shoot types (2) & (3) more. Mastering .20P loading demands would be real easy but being able to buy a loaded box of 50 .204R rounds would be nice should you be living in a small apartment at some distant university town. Some still have much of 1st dollar ever earned, resale value important. Some are robust late teens having many tough sports abilities, weight no big deal..

Next - selection of scope, no less than 16X, 18X and more better, smallest prefered, good or better glass, 2nd FP, objective 50mm - don't plan on huge scope for type (1) rifle. Cost less than $750. Mounting options to match comb height, and get reticle center near bore axis on Ruger investment cast receiver. I have been using Burris Ruger/Weaver base adaptor & Wiegand 20MOA Ruger base that allow limited lateral movement of reticle centered scope to get sort of a good bore sight. Possibly there might be some other option? Drilling & tapping action for EGW 20MOA base is an option but I don't want to get a drill press, & taps & other for job or wait for a pro to do job.

For me, being real olde, the type (1) rifle in .20P having a better than select grade Bastogne walnut stock with short, light weight 15X or 16X, 42 or 44 mm objective scope would be my 1st choice. Should the results non definitive a (1) type in .20P will happen. I have lots of rifles.

I got a good deal on a 1" tube Swarovski Z5 scope, 1 inch tube, 3.5-18X44, just under 16 oz, but kind of long at 14 ". Might put that on rifle.

Your heirs (estate) will likely appreciate you more if YOU sell some stuff and just put it in the bank. And you too, really. You know you have stuff that is valuable, but once you are unable, your heirs will have FAR more trouble establishing a fair market value.

I have several guns I need to get rid of. They have value to me, but far less to my family. In some cases, their value to me is also exaggerated. Exaggerated because of plans and emotions associated with the original builds, or who, what, when hunted with the gun.

All that sentiment passes when we do as well and we leave someone else the mess.............

 

[Hugnot]

LGS don't pay fair prices for nice but different rifles, it seems like common stuff sells best, little appreciation of fine barrels that can produce great results - this enables a consideration of keeping the .223 barrel on the rifle and selling it and including proceeds in an annuity where estate heirs would harvest remaining amounts after our passing. Anything less than a .224 might be considered as unusual in LGS's and .223 ammo is real cheap. Local guys seem happy with hat size hits at 300.

Another consideration is the 9 year old smart kid, real gifted, ID'ed as gifted by his school. Able to figure out & use Mil-Dot reticle after brief intro and able to use wifey's .204R, having Mil Dot reticle to pick off tiny targets at 300 and use reticle to size and range targets and make wind adjustments. Able to figure out .1 mil click was .36 inches at 100 yards. Liked to count 7 of Jupiter's many moons.

Careful estate planning is essential - my father was a banker in the trust department of a large bank. I often accompanied him when he evaluated estates. We often entered dark & musty houses having dusty furniture and other items that needed to be inventoried and sold without being part of heir inheritances - real sad & dark. Like what will happen to granny's silver and crystal collection? Many items were not included in trust documents or wills. All of our items will be either sold before life's final adventure or specifically passed on to individual heirs. We started process last year.

Looks like the kid will get a (2) type .204 R with a colorful laminated stock and a Vortex 4-16X44 Vortex HST (mil rad) scope. I will shorten stock .75 inches & include Pachmayr slip on recoil pad for bigger folks to use.

I still have much of my folk's & grandparent's stuff and admire & use the items daily.

 

[std7mag]

I have to ask.
Why change to 20 caliber?
Why not simply rebarrel with 223?

You say about passing it down, but also bring up resale price.
The value will be higher in it's original configuration.

And it's not like 223 Rem has a lot of recoil.

I have 4 Ruger 77 MKIIs. All in their original configuration.
The only one that I would think of changing the cartridge is the 280 Rem.
When the barrel is finally shot out, I may change it to 280AI.

I searched long & hard for the 257 Roberts.
Myself and my daughter each shot our first bucks with this rifle.
The 25-06, I just really like the cartridge.
The 270 Win is a Ruger 77 MKII Stainless with the Zytel synthetic stock aka the boat paddle.
I'm not about to alter that one!

 

[akdad]

I have to say for myself i greatly appreciate having firearms from both relatives and friends. In a few cases I've hunted down rifles from friends estates and purchased them. I remember when I was about 16 I asked an uncle if i could buy one of his rifles but he said his grandkids wouldn't like him selling. They later had no use for them
To me I would rather give them to someone who appreciates them.

 

[GuntherRLII]

I have to say for myself i greatly appreciate having firearms from both relatives and friends. In a few cases I've hunted down rifles from friends estates and purchased them. I remember when I was about 16 I asked an uncle if i could buy one of his rifles but he said his grandkids wouldn't like him selling. They later had no use for them
To me I would rather give them to someone who appreciates them.

Ya **** skippy.

 

[Hugnot]

The .20's happened because wifey likes to see bullet hits on black steel and speedy velocities - over 3650 fps w 40 H Vmax. Others have same likes.

I just acquired 100 pieces of .280 Rem brass from Grafs - no fireforming .270 or .30-06 brass - somebody who inherits this rifle will appreciate the included brass.

 

[std7mag]

The .20's happened because wifey likes to see bullet hits on black steel and speedy velocities - over 3650 fps w 40 H Vmax. Others have same likes.

I just acquired 100 pieces of .280 Rem brass from Grafs - no fireforming .270 or .30-06 brass - somebody who inherits this rifle will appreciate the included brass.

?????

How is someone inheriting a 20 caliber going to appreciate the other brass you mentioned??

I'm lost....

 

[Panhandlin Pat]

I have to say for myself i greatly appreciate having firearms from both relatives and friends. In a few cases I've hunted down rifles from friends estates and purchased them. I remember when I was about 16 I asked an uncle if i could buy one of his rifles but he said his grandkids wouldn't like him selling. They later had no use for them
To me I would rather give them to someone who appreciates them.

This resonates at home with me. Years ago my granddad gave all his firearms to my uncle. Grandad passed in 2019. Fast forward to last year. My aunt and uncle sell everything and buy an RV. His kids are pretty different, not outdoorsy people at all. None of them wanted anything to do with guns. So, my uncle sold all my grandads guns to a gun dealer for insultingly cheap prices. Then asked me 6 months later if I woulda wanted his 30/06. Of course I told him I'd love to buy it from him, in which he responded he sold it 6 months ago for $300. It's still awkward when I see him, he always seems uncomfortable. Must feel guilty. I would.

 

[vern.284]

I have to ask.
Why change to 20 caliber?
Why not simply rebarrel with 223?

You say about passing it down, but also bring up resale price.
The value will be higher in it's original configuration.

And it's not like 223 Rem has a lot of recoil.

I have 4 Ruger 77 MKIIs. All in their original configuration.
The only one that I would think of changing the cartridge is the 280 Rem.
When the barrel is finally shot out, I may change it to 280AI.

I searched long & hard for the 257 Roberts.
Myself and my daughter each shot our first bucks with this rifle.
The 25-06, I just really like the cartridge.
The 270 Win is a Ruger 77 MKII Stainless with the Zytel synthetic stock aka the boat paddle.
I'm not about to alter that one!

There a bunch of Ruger 257 Roberts up in GB

 

[Hugnot]

?????

How is someone inheriting a 20 caliber going to appreciate the other brass you mentioned??

I'm lost....

Help is about to happen!

The 20 is inadequate for deers & elks but the .280 with nice 100 new pieces of brass will work real good. Should an heir be into shooting deers & elks he will inherit a beautiful FN Mauser having a Sightron 3-16X42 scope if interest is shown in olde Mauser 98 type rifles & 7mm rounds.

Should another heir like small zippy bullets for tiny rodents he will get the .204, a box of Berger 40 hpbt bullets will go with the .204 should coyotes be targeted.

Some folks really like my rifles and have expressed interest in them and are shooters & hunters. My relatives upon receiving a rifle would go off to a pawn shop & sell or trade it for a TV, DVD, jewelry, lawn furniture, china, mixer/blender or whatever. One relative upon receiving a inherited revolver promptly called local law enforcement who appeared & seized the nice 3 screw Ruger Single Six - a deadly weapon of mass destruction.

They gotta show interest & they have.

 

[std7mag]

Help is about to happen!

The 20 is inadequate for deers & elks but the .280 with nice 100 new pieces of brass will work real good. Should an heir be into shooting deers & elks he will inherit a beautiful FN Mauser having a Sightron 3-16X42 scope if interest is shown in olde Mauser 98 type rifles & 7mm rounds.

Should another heir like small zippy bullets for tiny rodents he will get the .204, a box of Berger 40 hpbt bullets will go with the .204 should coyotes be targeted.

Some folks really like my rifles and have expressed interest in them and are shooters & hunters. My relatives upon receiving a rifle would go off to a pawn shop & sell or trade it for a TV, DVD, jewelry, lawn furniture, china, mixer/blender or whatever. One relative upon receiving a inherited revolver promptly called local law enforcement who appeared & seized the nice 3 screw Ruger Single Six - a deadly weapon of mass destruction.

They gotta show interest & they have.

Thanks!
That cleared things up some!

Yeah, the pawners/sellers wouldn't be getting chit from me!
Only the ones that would cherish it for what a family heirloom is would be getting anything.

I already have a list of who is getting what of my collection.
The rest, my wife has a list of what they are, what I paid for it and what it's worth.

 

[FEENIX]

I plan to build a .20 caliber rifle that will be part of my estate but is not being built for that purpose.

My firearms (factory, semi-custom, full custom, etc) were never meant to be part of my estate. However, about five years ago or so, as my wife and I started planning for our retirement, we established our estate planning/revocable trust so our sons do not have to worry about us.

My hunting buddy has a .204 and loves it for varminting. Since I do not have a .22 cal to propel a heavy bullet, that might be my next project.