Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 20 caliber wildcat thoughts

I have a 19 Badger which is the 30 Carbine case necked down to 19 caliber. James Calhoon has contracted with Sierra bullets to provide him with 2 weights of bullets, 28 & 32 grains. I get 3500 FPS and no recoil. It’s a fun little round.
I wonder if this has been considered with the 20 caliber. I would think a 32 grain VMAX would be a load of fun on a prairie dog town. Not much powder but really good velocity. certainly enough to shoot out to 350 yards.

Any thoughts here or has this already been done?

My only 20 is a 20 practical I had Jim Borden build for me 6-7 years ago. Talk about a freaking laser beam of death! My first two groups were .07 and .09”.....yes the decimal is in the right place. 39 blitzkings 8208 and fed brass. It shoots as good in the wind as my 22-250 and recoils like a 223 so I can see my misses and correct on the follow up shot IF I miss call the wind. Last year I shot three dogs off the same mound at a lasered 720 yards with three consecutive shots and two were pups. I’d say it blows pdogs up about like a 223 but not as bad as a 22-250. I think it might be my new favorite pdog rifle.

I think a 32gr bullet at 3500 and zero recoil would be awesome as well. My second favorite pdog gun might be a Ruger 1 in 22 hornet and 40gr polymer tipped bullets at 3100. I can’t imagine that your combo wouldn’t be even better. Hell..... just when I thought I had all the bases covered.... might have to get another #1 and build something like you mentioned.

I own a 204 Ruger and Searching my files I can't fine a 20 that's built on a 30 Carbine. I made this up so you can get an idea what it might look like and do.

Not trying to hijack, just offering another thought.

Anybody doing anything with the .20 caliber on a 22 Hornet case?

There are a number of 20's made on the Hornet case. 20 Hornet BDR, 20 Mink, and a number of others.

I have a couple 20 Practicals, one on a AR platform that I won in a shooting match and I liked the cartridge enough that I built a 20P on a bolt action that goes out a lot.

I didn't like the AR for the fact that I had to hunt for brass out in the field and it is hard enough to make that I rebarreled the AR to 223.

The 20P on the bolt is a superb rifle for hunting coyotes flat shootig and I can hold on fur to 300 yards and save the pelts. Mine is ust a little heavier than I like so I have another in the works that will be built on a Rem 600 with a 20" sporter barrel.

Savage action 20P Athlon 2-12x40

I have a couple 20 Practicals, one on a AR platform that I won in a shooting match and I liked the cartridge enough that I built a 20P on a bolt action that goes out a lot.

I didn't like the AR for the fact that I had to hunt for brass out in the field and it is hard enough to make that I rebarreled the AR to 223.

The 20P on the bolt is a superb rifle for hunting coyotes flat shootig and I can hold on fur to 300 yards and save the pelts. Mine is ust a little heavier than I like so I have another in the works that will be built on a Rem 600 with a 20" sporter barrel.

Savage action 20P Athlon 2-12x40

I read somewhere about the 327 federal magnum necked down to 20 caliber. Lost fewer cases than using the 357 case.
Don’t know why the 20 caliber/5mm isn’t more popular than it is in a small case.

Thanks for all that info Mick.

That sounds interesting. Any word on performance?

OSU Sig: I "gave up" on "wildcats" about 20 years ago!
The expense these days of riflesmithing work, custom barrels/chambering and custom dies no longer (in my experience) justifies the money and time wasted on obtaining them!
I still own several "wildcat" Varmint Rifles that i had built up - but no longer have any interest in bringing them on-line.
I get outstanding accuracy and performance from Rifles I buy off the shelf and from private people.
I currently own and shoot 10 (ten) Rifles in caliber 204 Ruger and each and every one of them (9 of them at least as the tenth is being "geared up" right now!) gives very good to excellent plus accuracy!
Nope, I would not even consider a "wildcat" anymore - especially now in this latest "difficulty" we find in obtaining services/components.
My monies can be directed/used/spent in more appropriate and better ways anymore.
But I do remember the interest and excitement I had when I used to waste money on going for a "wildcat" - if you think you can enjoy your "wild-catting" more than simply buying a factory Cooper in an appropriate caliber for your uses, I say good luck and enjoy.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I believe I read about it over on saubier.com. I did a quick google search but that didn’t turn up what I was looking for.

There is already the 20 Garin, the Garin cartridges are based the 30 carbine case - Cooper Firearms builds rifles chambered for them.

http://www.cartridgecollector.net/20-garin

http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19121

https://pacifictoolandgauge.com/dvds-and-books/407-garin-sure-stirke-system-book.html

drover

For those of you with a 20 practical does it offer any radical differences over the .204 Ruger?

I don't have the Practical but think quality brass and/or brass availability are the main draw.

Not a lot of difference in volume. If loaded with the same bullets there's not a lot difference in FPS either. The 204 is the winner as far as volume goes.

thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

Tom, I took a 204 barrel off the action, on the one I built...

Two reason I built it...

1. brass availability, I had plenty of 223 range pick up brass, almost an endless supply courtesy of OSP, when they train, they just leave it.. because it walks away by the next morning... its easy to form...you are just taking the neck down to 20 caliber...

2. velocity was pretty much spot on vs the 204, in most instance.. if it was a little behind, it wasn't by much..

other key points, is I only had to buy a $20 die, the Hornady 20 caliber general purpose die, that can be set up to neck size any cartridge to 20 cal...they offer the same type dies in other calibers... I have one of each in 6.5 and 30 cal also..

mine was on a Model 77 Mk 2 short action... I used a bench rest follower, because I am shooting stationary off a 4 Runner Hood... single shot each time..
I run 32 gr Vmax and 24 gr NTX Lead free bullets, and the occasional 26 gr Varrmint Grenade from Barnes...

I don't run the 40 grain 20 cal bullets, as for that, I just run a 40 grain Vmax in the 223....

The 223 die with the spindle out can be used as a body die, and the 223 seating die works on the 20 Practical with no issues...

I start sizing a 223 case down first time using the 204 F/L die , to 20 cal, and finish with the above mentioned Hornady 20 cal die...

right now, I am finding 20 cal and 17 cal v max bullets on shelves, and am setting pretty on 22 cal bullets from A to Z...

I look at the 20 Practical and the 17 Fireball.. as just in case rifles right now....

I've had both......still have my 2nd Practical

I'd say brass is the biggest advantage..

Dies are simple....Redding bushing dies for the 223......

I use a Forster 223 BR seater

Similar velocities as the 204R

Theres alot to like with a 20 Prac.