.20 Practical

sbn · Post by **sbn** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:37 pm

G'day all, new here and have given up on the AHN site as the new format is incredibly slow on my rural dial-up. Recently picked up a new .20 cal,Tikka 595 action,Ruger .204 barrel. Chamber shortened by 95 thou.I just run .223 brass through a modified Hornady FL .204 Ruger die. More practical than the .20 Practical! Still developing loads but BM2 and 40g V-Maxes looking promising. Any load data or suggestions appreciated Cheers Dugald

Post by **kjd** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:25 pm

Gday mate welcome to the forum!

ogre6br · Post by **ogre6br** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:59 pm

Welcome mate.
I have had to give up on the .20 cal idea.
So jealous you finally got yours running.
Reloader 10 is suggested as the good powder for .20's in the states so you might ant to try AR 2219 as the ADi book lists them as equivilents in their burning rate.

What finished barrel length did you go with??

later
p

trevort · Post by **trevort** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:53 pm

Reloader 10 is in my local gunshop. i use 2206h for my 204 and now my 223 and 6/250

wb243 · Post by **wb243** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:23 pm

Finally managed to get to the range to do some load testing. The first load I tried a while ago (22.5gr BM1 was too hot). I am using PMC once fired brass, Fed primers, 40gr V-Max's with an OAL of 2.179.

Out of interest, I used Dan Newberry's load testing technique where rather than shooting all the same loads at once and then moving to the next load, you actually shoot one shot of each load consecutively until you've been through the six loads (or whatever) and then start again.

The loads I used were as follows:
20.0 (1 shot), 20.3 (1 shot) and then 20.6, 20.9, 21.2, 21.5, 21.8 and 22.1

Note that the 20.0 and 20.3 loads were 'aimed' at the top of the lower left and lower centre square while the other loads were aimed at the bulls. The center dark bull is 1/2 inch in diameter. Shot at 100 yds (not metres).

The day was a bit gusty so may be the reason why the 20.9 and 21.2 loads vary horizontally. BUT CHECK OUT THE 21.5 and 21.8gr LOADS!! I am very excited about the potential here - can't wait to get back to the range and see if I can repeat the results.

Oh yea, and I obviously don't have it zeroed properly just yet...

bushchook · Post by **bushchook** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:43 pm

See below .

bushchook · Post by **bushchook** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:45 pm

Awesome from a Ruger factory barrel ! What are you gonna use for an excuse when you miss ?

shane · Post by **shane** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:39 am

Mate it aint no factory Ruger barrel!
cheers,
Shane

wb243 · Post by **wb243** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:08 am

I bought a second hand Rem 700 ADL in .222 and Shane put a Lilja Match grade heavy (#5??) barrel on it, bedded the action and did some minor trueing work as well. Still using the original timber stock and trigger. Have topped it with a Burris Fullfield II 4.5 - 14 x 42 with ballistic plex reticle.

There is a picture available under the "wb243- do you have pics of the practical yet??" thread under Varminting Rifles if you want to have a Captain Cook.

trevort · Post by **trevort** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:04 pm

Shane is about to get the bits for mine. Now Shane when I get the money to pay you to put it altogether I want it to be at least this good!

sbn · Post by **sbn** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:49 pm

Interesting load results wb, have you a chronograph? It would be very interesting to see how they're travelling! My results using BM2 are looking promising. Up to 25.6g and about to break out the chrony when I get time.Accuracy best with the hottest loads. How much space left in your cases using BM1 and the loads you list? Cheers Dugald

Cranky Bugga · Post by **Cranky Bugga** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:48 am

sbn
Did you just stop a 204 reamer 0.095'' short? Did this create any issues with the mouth of the chamber requiring enlargeing to accomodate the base of the 223 shell. Also did your loading dies need any modification other than shortening?

Cheers

jb747 · Post by **jb747** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:59 am

I'd be interested in seeing a second run of these tests. There is virtually no vertical in any of the loads, so I sort of suspect that the lateral (in the first 3 loads) is caused by wind/user. Looks to me like it might be a shooter at whatever load level you choose.

What twist is the barrel?

sbn · Post by **sbn** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:43 am

Finally had time yesterday to play with a few loads through the chronograph. Accuracy with Win 748 and 2208 nothing flash but BM2 looking good. Best groups so far with 25.6g BM2 at 3580 fps. Nothing like the speeds the Yanks are getting. Going to try similar loads of 2206 next just out of interest. Yes cranky bugga, the chamber is just a shortened .204 and the dies required no other mods than shortening. WB 243 , any more on your load development using BM1?Cheers Dugald

sbn · Post by **sbn** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:03 am

More load results! 26.3g of 2206H averaged 3650fps with good accuracy. 26g of 2206 (slightly warm) produced 3820fps so have settled on 25.8g of 2206 for 3710fps,no pressure signs and good accuracy, around 3/4 " at 100 metres in a relatively unworked rifle. Twice fired Nosler Custom .223 brass, CCI BR primers and 40g V-Max used in all loads. Any comment or alternatives appreciated! Cheers Dugald

AusVarmint

.20 Practical

.20 Practical

20 Practical load testing

20 Practical