AusVarmint

Ive invested two afternoons in the last month or so to sort me out a good load for the 20 practical. Since loading the inital barrel run in loads, I know its pretty accurate with everything, but the 2206H looked a bit too slow in that case to push the 39gr pill at the required speed. Reading up on it, it seems the reloder 10x is the ideal powder for this 20 cal so I loaded a few up and took to my range.

Firstly I started with 3 of each charge starting at 23gr and working up in 0.2gr increments up to 24.2gr. At 24.2gr I started seeing mild pressure signs so instead of pushing the limit, I decided not to exceed 24gr. Went back to the bench and loaded 5 of each 24.0gr to 23.6gr again in 0.2gr increments. Being a 20 cal varminter and trying to match the 204 ruger, I didnt want to lose too much speed.

Shooting for accuracy, all my loads shot under the half inch mark but the 23.6gr shot the little gem of a group in the pic attached. 1/4MOA at 100m is fine for me.

This afternoon was the test for velocity to see if the run in loads could match the reloader 10x.

For a 5 shot average the load of 25gr 2206H produced an average velocity at the muzzle of 3660fps. Not bad and probably a mild load but not quick enough for me. Over to the reloader 10x 23.6gr loads and immediately the numbers started looking good. I ended up with an average of 3760fps at the muzzle. I actually use my F1 chrony at 3m from the muzzle as per operating instructions and use a ballistic calculator to work out the actual muzzle velocity at a known velocity at 3m.

Tomorrow night is the night to use up all the remainder ammo then its time to start reloading.

That 20 prac sure shoots nice Brad. Your making me itchy to turn the 222rimmed martini to a 20-222 improved.

good work

Hey Brad
Good start with the 20pract. What twist is your barrel?
From experience with re10x in my 20SH I think it may be a tad fast for the heavier 39/40 grnrs. In the 20SH which is a 20-222 improved I found the old 2206 is about right for the heavier pills whilst 10x is the go for 32s. Be careful with 10x as it is very temp sensitive too.
Your practical chambering should havew room for a couple or 3 more grains of water so a slightly slower powder than 10x may get a bit more velocity. However you may not be able to match that bloody ripper of a group. I know my gun won't in its present form.
Jethro again.

Yeah im liking the 20prac more and more each time i read about it. I think i will be getting myself one made one day.

What a ripper ! look forward to seeing it in action.

The 2206H didnt have the velocity I was after, but saying that a load of BM2 might be the go. Will stay with the R10x for now. No signs of pressure and its shooting true. I will monitor how it burns. 2206H does burn pretty clean in it, so I guess will see how it goes.

Brad

Can I ask you why your chasing that extra 100 fps, does it really make that much difference. I punched it into the ballistics calculator and all that it really gains is 4 inches less drop over 500 mts.

No point in having a varmint rifle that dont shoot fast mate... where is the fun in that

I guess the whole 20 practical idea was to try and replicate how good the 204 performs but with a 223 case. It performs just fine.

Looks great, Am thinking the Sako 75 Varmint would look good with a new barrel on it.. Would it be hard to convert RCBS .223 dies to the .20 Prac?

On Fox's rabbits etc it would be fun, but how you think it would go if you came across a random pig or goat? It is noce to be able to throw a 55gn game king in the .223 and still have some knock down power.

I dunno... pig may be interesting, it would definitely have to be a behind the eye shot. Not long ago there was an article in the sporting shooter by a bloke who downed goats and a deer with a 204. He reckoned it did well. I have a perfectly good 22BRX and 69gr HPBT's to use in areas with pigs and thats proven to do brilliantly.

You would have to get a sype of game round that would be a little more solid eh? Wouldn't want something to splash on the skin of a pig. Pissing him off would not be good if you were on foot!

To be perfectly honest, the pigs we get around these parts arent the ones like FNQ etc that are covered in mud that dries like armour. I have put plenty down with a 22-250 using 55gr vmax. The 20 cal is a varmint rifle- mainly foxes, cats and rabbits. But if I can get a clear headshot off at a pig- and no further than 100m, then I will take it. It comes down to being confident with the rifle and knowing I can hit it. A pig at 100m standing side on to me and nothing in the way between us is in trouble. But if its head on or facing away at any angle or further away than Im confident, well that little piggy can have its freedom until I return with a bigger gun.

Yeah I would be tempted that close for a clear shot and the sweet spot. But in reality If I got one(.20cal), it would be strictly for varminting. You have probably looked at my thread about a rifle with interchangable barrels. This is where the barrel change would come in. Having a varminting rifle when the smallest thing you are really after is goats is a not a good idea.

I take it all back... tonight I missed. I hate myself. Mind you i do have a cold with horrible runny nose and chest infection to match. But still i shouldnt have missed. If only I had my marlin 22...