20Practical vs 204 Ruger

[Leveraction35]

Considering a build in one of these 2 cartridges for 300 yard and closer coyote hunting

Would you build a 20P over a 204?? Components (brass) for the 204 are no longer an issue to buy, and it edges the 20P slightly in speed. I plan to shoot 35 or 40gr hollowpoints

 

[Supersubes]

If you were planning to use detachable mags, 20P feeds better from 223 magazines. I use lapua brass almost exclusively these days, and they dont make 204 brass.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

I just went through the same question and landed on 204 Ruger in a single shot Savage 12 LRPV single shot. I got a crazy good deal on the rifle and that made up my mind for me, although I really wanted the extra velocity with the 204R so was leaning that way already.

 

[Baron85]

I was going through the same decision a couple years ago and had decided to go 20 practical since I have lots of 223 brass and 223 brass will always be available and easy to get.

I ended up not doing the project but that’s the direction I would go. You, and the targets won’t know the difference in the extra velocity.

 

[Leveraction35]

Thank you for that input. That is largely my reason for considering the 20 practical. I kind of see 204 teetering on existence forever.

 

[max1840]

I have 2 20 practical's. The first build was a gasser that shoots awesome. I followed that up with a bolt gun. The 20 practical gives me everything I wanted, great accuracy and speed. You'll love the cartridge.

 

[JaoeyP]

They're both awesome and have a few advantages.

204 Ruger- plug and play. Buy ammo and brass off the shelf and go.

20P- feeds better from 223 mags, never ending supply of brass BUT you will have to neck it down and trim it all before first loading.

A couple of friends and I did 20Ps a few years back when 204 brass wasn't available anywhere. It was a lot of work resizing and trimming all the brass but we're all very pleased with how they shoot and their terminal ballistics.