20 practical bullet seating

[rickdavis81]

All of my parts are coming in for my 20 practical build. Ordered a Redding type s full length 223 bushing die, 204 decapping assembly and 233 and 225 bushings to make the brass. Can I use a standard 223 bullet seating die or do I need a Redding comp die or something else?

 

[Mark M.]

 

[Cemetery21]

Yes. I initially used a 223 seater. Then I ordered a custom Lee collet die and it came with their dead length seater.

 

[Hugnot]

Best to use a .204 type seating die. I use a Hornady Custom Grade .204R seater that will work on any/all .204 calibers.

Brownell's has a .20 Hornady seater die, in stock, for $29.99 - look for Hornady dies/die sets for any/all .20 calibers.

Any Hornady seater of this type having the shorter body may be modified by replacing the inner sleeve and stem with those intended for a .204 diameter bullet

The custom Lee collet die with a seater die is a real good solution - I might get both.

The .20 Practical is just that, probably the best mid range, hi-volume, rodent killer cartridge ever. Buckets of cheap .223 brass, small powder charges, minimal heat & long barrel life, and relatively inexpensive bullets. I use either CFE223 or IMR8208 with the 40 gr. .204 VMax bullet & CCI #41 primers. My rifle has a 24", 11 twist, #3 McGowen barrel & weighs 7 pounds. The barrel is 8 years old & with about 3,500 rounds thru it. A Ruger M77 MKII that was a .223. I also use a .223, .204R & .22-250.

I had my .20P shooting yesterday with remaining 2020-21 season ammo, 25.5 gr. IMR8208 & 40 VMax. Impressive 300 yard performance during light variable winds. A good choice!!!

 

[Cemetery21]

Lee collet die with a seater

When I ordered mine, you sent 3 fired cases and about $75 to Lee. Their website says they are not doing custom collets right now due to order volume.

Lee Precision, Inc.. Custom Services

Custom service ordering area. Order custom bullet molds, custom case length gauges and custom die sets.

leeprecision.com

 

[rickdavis81]

Thanks for the info. I just got my reloading room set back up after building a new house and moving. Haven't had time to do much shooting or loading in the last couple years. Hopefully we can get our corn cut this week so I can stretch the legs on some rifles and work on cleaning up my shooting range

 

[Pauleye]

I have a 20 practical and use it to shoot pdogs There are great articles on 6mmBR. Great info and good loads. Fun to shoot and no recoil

 

[HuntingBronco]

Waiting on a barrel for an XP-100 build in 20P. Talk about a Fireball. Can't wait.

 

[Cemetery21]

I shot prairie dogs for 40 years with various 22 centerfires. I liked the idea of a 20 cal, but was bent out of shape that Ruger did not use the 223 case for their 204. Finally, about 7 years ago, I read about the 20P and I had some rifles built. I've had Ackleys and other fireformed cartridges, but I just wanted to go with a straight neck down and not have to waste components fireforming for 20 Tac.
Really, really sweet results. Very easy to tune, heavy barrel stays relatively cool, shoots a little flatter and so fast that windage is manageable for the distances I shoot.