Should I go 20 practical?

[Hugnot]

Wifey & I get to shoot 3-5 times per month at 300 yards at our local range. A 9 twist .223 with 53 grain Vmax @ 3300 fps & either a .20P or .204R 11 twist 40 Vmax at 3600 - 3700 are included. Up to 150 rounds of .223, 20P & .204R are fired every month.

The .20's have consistently out performed the .223 at 300 yards comparing the .204 40 Vmax & the .224 53 Vmax.

To better the 300 yard performance of the 9 twist .223 the 68 grain Hornady match bullet is used but at velocities just under 3.000 fps this is not a good rodent bullet, not having nearly equal point blank range capabilities & disruptive (splat) effects as the .20's, as mentioned in previous posts.

If I had to shoot deers using the .223 using some tough 65- 73 grain bullet would be preferred.

Introduction of the .20's into our modest armory has changed .22-.250 configuration to 7.7 twist barrels & 75 grain .224 ELDM bullets at 3,250 fps.


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The .20P is the cheapest to shoot, barrel life using 25 grains or so powder is good. Get a 11 twist or faster for 40 grain Vmax or longer.

 

[dogz]

wondering what people's experiences are with the 20 practical?? I really enjoy prairie dogs in the spring and was wondering if there is any real benefit to using that vrs just staying with 223??

I've had and used both a LOT....I'd go 223 and make life easier

Just my way

 

[Hugnot]

Another consideration for the .20P is the limited & light recoil, this gets into the shooter spotting hits. Corrections are quickly & easily made without assistance from a spotter.

Some recoil or kick energy values:

Comparing the .20P/40 VMax @ 3650 with the .22-.250/53 VMax & 3650

recoil energy for the .20P = 3.1 foot pounds
recoil energy for the .22-.250 = 5.7 foot pounds

Same velocity and similar (but not equal) ballistic value bullets, the .204 40 VMax & .224 53 VMax.

The gun velocity was calculated by using the momentum equation, P=MV, solving for V = P/V, P being the sum of ((bullet mass * bullet velocity) + (powder mass * powder gas velocity)) / mass of the rifle in grains.

Then finally the rifle recoil energy is calculated by E= 1/2 M V^2, M being the (weight of the rifle in pounds / 32.163 * gun velocity squared) / 2
The 32.136 is the acceleration of gravity in Ft/sec/sec.

This is why one shooter replaced his .22-.250 for a .20P.

Barrel life is another consideration. My 12 year old .20P still shoots less then 1 MOA.

 

[VinceMule]

223 AI, 50g V max at 3800 is real world with 55's at 3700. Bullet weight makes the dogs fly high! H335 gives long barrel life.

53g V max at 3700 really bucks some wind!

 

[Dentite]

223 AI, 50g V max at 3800 is real world with 55's at 3700. Bullet weight makes the dogs fly high! H335 gives long barrel life.

53g V max at 3700 really bucks some wind!

That's impressive. Barrel length?

 

[VinceMule]

24-26, 12 twist, .020-.030 Freebore, 55g does 3700 easy, N135(CCI BR-4) is what I use, benchmark is 100 fps slower.

40g Noslers are at 4130 fps shooting dots with N133 and BR4s, 26", 12T with zero freebore reamer.

Remember, you want to see those dogs FLY!

 

[Dentite]

24-26, 12 twist, .020-.030 Freebore, 55g does 3700 easy, N135 is what I use, benchmark is 100 fps slower.

Remember, you want to see those dogs FLY!

Thanks. I'm actually using Benchmark in my .20 Practical. 20" AR, getting 3600 with 40 grain V-max.

Have a .204 Ruger bolt action with i think a 22" barrel using 40 grain Nosler BTs and H4895 and I think I'm at 3650 if I remember right.

 

[VinceMule]

The velocity that I quoted has been the same in half a dozen 12-14T barrels in the 223 AI.

 

[sdakotaguy]

When I was opting to go 20 VarTarg, A number of guys were encouraging me to look in to the 20 Practical or 20 Tactical. with these 3 in mind I would say the Practical is the EZ button. sounds like you only need to decide on bullet weight & barrel twist. I'd recommend a 10 or a 11 twist to allow for 40 grain projectiles.

 

[Revolting Peasant]

Just got back from a PD hunt. Partner used a 20 Practical. I'm impressed after watching him and shooting his. He was making hits to 650 yards, some in a stiff breeze. And the barrel never got hot. Warm yes, but not as hot as my 223.

How many have worn out a 20P barrel? 20P barrel life and round counts?

 

[Humpy73]

I like the idea of the 20 prac, but the way things are headed I'm staying with the 223. It's served me well

 

[Stugots]

I currently own and shoot a number of .223's and a single .204 Ruger. If I had it to do all over again, I would do a flip/flop. I shoot a 40gr V-Max in my .204 Ruger, and Love, love, luv it's performance! Drops P. Dogs (with extreme prejudice) in their tracks! In my experience, shots out to 550 yards with each caliber head to head favors the .204 Ruger. Very violent performing cartridge as I have witnessed in the dog towns.

I was also very fortunate to get a fairly large qty of .204 bass about 8 or 9 years ago which I reload. OP, now in your situation, starting from scratch, you have a bit of a laborious task sourcing brass or (expensive) buying new/use .20 Practical brass...

Again, owning and shooting each now for a number of years, it was an easy choice to make for me!

 

[VinceMule]

Stugots, mind sharing your favorite loads? Are you shooting custom or factory chambers?

 

[akdad]

I currently own and shoot a number of .223's and a single .204 Ruger. If I had it to do all over again, I would do a flip/flop. I shoot a 40gr V-Max in my .204 Ruger, and Love, love, luv it's performance! Drops P. Dogs (with extreme prejudice) in their tracks! In my experience, shots out to 550 yards with each caliber head to head favors the .204 Ruger. Very violent performing cartridge as I have witnessed in the dog towns.

I was also very fortunate to get a fairly large qty of .204 bass about 8 or 9 years ago which I reload. OP, now in your situation, starting from scratch, you have a bit of a laborious task sourcing brass or (expensive) buying new/use .20 Practical brass...

Again, owning and shooting each now for a number of years, it was an easy choice to make for me!

It's definitely on my list to do someday but after adding up the whole project I realized I could also just be happy with the stuff i already have right now I have a lot of other projects that probably need finishing first