20 tac vs 20 pratical

[308law]

I am looking to re-barrel my 223 to one of these 20 cal cartridges. I am leaning towards the practical because of the simpler brass forming. Does anybody have any experience with either cartridge? What twist rate, is the 1 in 12 enough or should I go to the 1 in 11 or 1 in 10? I am going to use this as my main prairie dog rifle out to 500 yards or so. I like the 32 grn bullets for most work but the 40 grn bullets for the longer shots. I have a 221 fireball for closer shots and after this rifle is finished I will build a 22-6mm for those really long shots. The 204 Ruger would be fine but I have 2000 rnds of 223 brass, so I would rather stay with the 223 case.

[stevec]

I have a 20TAC 26" 12twist shilen that reaches the same velocities with 40gr bergers that any of my three 204Rs did. Very accurate, and very fun to shoot, NO RECOIL! Dakota/Lapua makes 20 tac brass that is as good as any other Lapua I have used. I liked the idea of having twenty tac on the headstamp, and I can use my tac reamer to chamber a 204R if I choose.

If you want to use your .223 brass, I would think you could forrm either tac or prac. out of it. the tac should need fireforming after sizing.

As far as one caliber being any better than the other, I dont think there is a bit of difference in performance between the two. Either one I think you would be happy!

Steve

[MikeCTX]

Just did the conversion of a Mod 11 223 to a 20 TAC and went through some of the same questions I think of 20 TAC or 20 Practical. While I favored the 20 Practical for it's well 'practical' approach and ease at just necking down 223 brass (using a 223 neck size die) and seating bullets with one of the competition dies. Like Steve said, using the 20 Dakota/Lupa brass and just like having the different headstamp.

I have 15 rounds down the chamber as of today, between the holidays and the weather have not had the chance to shoot it much :'( but hope to fix that some this weekend. Have some test loads ready to go. So far it has been a blast to shoot..oh and you can use the same loads for a 20 Practical that you would with a 20 TAC (disclaimer - of course all loads should start low and be worked up). At least one member here, ArmedinUtah, has a 20 Practical (try a search) and he seems very happy with it. They are both very close and very, Very, VERY fun to shoot.

Good luck and keeps updated on which one you go with...oh yeah, I went with a 12 twist Shilen 26 in barrel also. Shilen has 12,10 and 9 twist. Pac-Nor seemed to be very popular for many of the 20's.

[sharpshooter]

For a 20 TAC, use .204 Ruger dies with .100" trimmed off the bottom.

[308law]

What are the advantages of either of these over the 204? I noticed that 204 brass is priced very close to 223 brass.

[dcloco]

What are the advantages of either of these over the 204? I noticed that 204 brass is priced very close to 223 brass.


#1 - price of 1x fired 223 cases versus virtually no available 1x fired 204 cases

#2 - change a barrel and go. Uses everything a rifle chambered in 223....especially the mag box/follower.

#3 - for those using the Practical flavor, change the bushing in the 223 neck sizing die. No need to buy another set of dies.

#4 - I don't have one, but looks like these will do everything that a 204 was designed to do, so, a little bit of savings on the amount of powder used per round.

[stevec]

Equal to 204 in performance, uses slightly less powder. My biggest reasons for building one are...... I was bored and needed a new toy and.... I already had several 204s. also, a little cool factor because they are wildcats.

Steve