20 practical?

[the shotty]

Alright guys I have been searching for information for this and just cannot find what I'm looking for , so here it goes. I am looking for a 1-500 yard truck gun for everything from rats to coyotes. I already have a .260 but with a heavy barrel and weighing in at 13 pounds its not so handy as a throw it up and shoot type. I have an ar lower waiting for an upper and Ive been very intrigued with the .204 ruger but I already have a ton of .223 components so thinking the 20 practical would be my natural choice. So here's my delima, I can't find any information on this round with a shorter barrel like 16 inch. I'm thinking a fluted stainless 16 inch barrel for this. I know ill loose some performance but it should still be way better than the .223 right? And cheaper which is another bonus. For coyotes it would prob be 300 yards max. Any thoughts or suggestions? I figure there's got to be some encore or contender guys with some experience with this round in a shorter barrel. But any experience/suggestions/comments welcome.

 

[durak]

Take a look at this info:

20 Caliber Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com

 

[the shotty]

I've read that one as well as a few on 6br and saubier but I can't find anything on the cartridge using a shorter barrel, everything seems to ne based off a 24 inch barrel. Again I'd like something that's handy as primarily a truck gun bit also as a calling rifle so I'm thinking 18 max on the barrel. I may just end up going to an encore to shorten everything up but I have and like the ar platform just not sure if this is the proper set up for it.

 

[Scot E]

These may be helpful as well.

Twenty Caliber Cartridge Guide

20 Practical

Scot E.

 

[Korhil78]

Just a question and another suggestion. Why do you want to go with a smaller caliber when you are going to be doing quick shots at coyotes and such?

I have attempted some quick shots on coyotes with a 220 swift and have hit them a little far back. Those yotes ran FOREVER. I knew that they were going to die but I never found them. I don't like to make any animal suffer after being shot even though I can't stand coyotes. I switched to a larger caliber (6.5 Grendel AR) and have never looked back. I use the Nosler 120 gr. BT and it works awesome. If I hit them a little far back, it doesn't matter. If I hit them in the hind legs, it doesn't even matter because that 120 gr BT breaks bones all the way through.

Not trying to sell you on the 6.5 Grendel even though it is an awesome Coyote cartridge. But I am trying to sell you on going with a heavier, harder hitting round.

 

[durak]

I have witnessed the killing power of the .20 caliber first hand - My father-in-law shot a coyote with his .20 BR at 300 yards low in the hind leg and it died instantly, after we skinned it we found than it had blood shot clear into it's chest cavity - I believe the terminal shock that a 32- 36 gr .20 cal bullet traveling 4200-4500 fps is more than any coyote can take. This is something that the .224 bullet just does not do.

As for a larger caliber, I shoot a 6.8 SPC and it also is very effective on coyotes, but it costs alot more to shoot if you were starting from scatch. The .20 practical is just that, practical.....I say go for it!

 

[Korhil78]

Just depends on how many times he wants to change out the barrel. Any bullet going through a barrel at 4k and over is going to be doing a significant amount of barrel wear and tear in a short amount of time.

 

[the shotty]

I've kinda thought about the grendal with already having a .260 but I really like what I read on performance of the .204 ruger. Having used and hunted with an at in .223 got a few years I just feel that it lacks when range comes into play. With the .204 based off a 3500 fps and a .40 berger I still have almost 2300 fps and better than 450 ft lbs at 300 yards which is plenty for a yote. And again the cost is attractive, I have probably 2k .223 brass left over from an ar I sold and no longer have a 223 so it would give me a use for my brass. I'm not set on the .204 just addressing what is brought up. Thank you for your quick replies.

 

[the shotty]

Also I guess to add, the noise factor is a marginal concern as well as some of my shooting will be at night. Also 300 yards would really be pushing it, most of the coyotes I've shot have been <150.

 

[timmay]

If youre looking for a truck gun that you can throw around and you already have an AR-15 lower, why not just get a cheap but good 5.56 upper?
.223/5.56 ammo is everywhere and you can find it cheap for the surplus ammo.
Ive been thinking of a truck rifle as well, and Im either going to get an ak-74 side folder
or an AR-15 with a 10" barrel (unless I decide I dont want to go through the hassle of the $200 tax stamp ATF bullcrap, then Ill just get a 16")

The 5.56x45 and the Russian 5.45x39 are very good varmint destroyers. You can get that 5.45x39 russian ammo for dirt cheap, something like 15 cents a round and its very lethal stuff

 

[the shotty]

As I stated before, I feel like the .223 performance lacks, even more so when you cut the barrel length down. Secondly I've made the mistake of using surplus ball for hunting twice. Both times were good shots, one at 25 yards one at 75 yards lost both. According to shooter a 40 gr 204 at 3500 has over 400 fps and about 100 ft lbs better and half the drop that my pet load for the .223 has at 300 (55 gr b-tip at just over 2900). Fps number on the .204 is a guess of what I could attain from a shorter barrel. In looking at the .20 practical, it seems like I gain a lot over a .223 performance wise and is cheaper to produce. But again this is just how I see it and looking for the best route to go. Again thank you all for the replies, keep the input coming

 

[liltank]

This will be useful to you. Give Robert Whitely a call. He will talk to you and answer your questions about the practical. He developed the cartridge and is very knowledgeable. Here is his site with some uppers for sale. I'm sure he can answer your questions about a practical in a 16" barrel.

20 Practical

 

[Stirling]

You might try Scott Milk at Specialized Dynamics. I read on the Predator Masters forum a few days ago that he now has a reamer for for the 20 Practical. He may be able to make the barrel exactly the way you want it.

From what I've read, it is an intriguing round. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[cwinner]

Just a question and another suggestion. Why do you want to go with a smaller caliber when you are going to be doing quick shots at coyotes and such?

I have attempted some quick shots on coyotes with a 220 swift and have hit them a little far back. Those yotes ran FOREVER. I knew that they were going to die but I never found them. I don't like to make any animal suffer after being shot even though I can't stand coyotes. I switched to a larger caliber (6.5 Grendel AR) and have never looked back. I use the Nosler 120 gr. BT and it works awesome. If I hit them a little far back, it doesn't matter. If I hit them in the hind legs, it doesn't even matter because that 120 gr BT breaks bones all the way through.

Not trying to sell you on the 6.5 Grendel even though it is an awesome Coyote cartridge. But I am trying to sell you on going with a heavier, harder hitting round.

+11 on the 6.5 Grendel....switched to one for my primary calling gun a couple years ago.......much better than my old 223. One of my partners shoots a 204 upper and it works, but the 6.5 hits them with much more authority. No need to double shoot them like we sometimes have to do with a 223 or 204.