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. 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.

 

[Coyote777]

I don’t own either one but my vote would go towards 20P. Number 1 reason would be cause of brass. Buy Laupa and don’t look back. I’ve recently got into 20cals by building a 20GT just for thermal hunting. So far the results have been awesome. Flat, fast and DRT.

 

[Leveraction35]

I don’t own either one but my vote would go towards 20P. Number 1 reason would be cause of brass. Buy Laupa and don’t look back. I’ve recently got into 20cals by building a 20GT just for thermal hunting. So far the results have been awesome. Flat, fast and DRT.

What bullet, twist and velocity?

 

[shoots100]

If you like to wildcat - 20P.
If Not - 204R.
I don't need to neck size my 20P brass after sizing.
SJC

 

[Coyote777]

What bullet, twist and velocity?

The infamous 55g Berger from Grafs. Awesome BC for a 20cal. Muller works cut rifle 20” 1-8t and 3720fps.

 

[Coyote777]

@Leveraction35

 

[Leveraction35]

Oh wow, 55s!!

 

[Coyote777]

Oh wow, 55s!!

Yes sir! Fast twist 20cals are deadly.

 

[Mbaysinger89]

I have both in multiples. In an AR and any bolt rifle using AICS type mags 20P. In a bolt action BDL or bolt action with factory mags 204R. When my current coyote 20P is burnt out Im going to an 11 twist 20P AI, 204 speeds and Lapua brass. Make sure you dont use faster than an 11 twist with the 35s at these velocities for coyotes. The bullet wont come apart, but faster than about 3600 and they lose some dependabity on penetration. I had to slow my 9 twist AR down to not have runners.

 

[Leveraction35]

Yes sir! Fast twist 20cals are deadly.

What’s the fur damage report on that? Vast majority of my coyotes are 80 to 150 yards. Very very rarely am I shooting past 200.

 

[Coyote777]

What’s the fur damage report on that? Vast majority of my coyotes are 80 to 150 yards. Very very rarely am I shooting past 200.

On that pic I posted look at the closest dog by the rifle. I shot that male a little low and made a baseball size hole. The other two had very little damage with no exit.

 

[Leveraction35]

Man, I was dead set on 35 or 40 grainers and a 10 twist, now you got me rethinking things

 

[DonE911]

I got a good deal on a rem 700 vssf in 204 ruger... came with 300 pieces of new brass, dies, bullets.... made my decision for me. If i was building one it would be the 20p because I have a metric poop ton of brass already.

 

[Coyote777]

Man, I was dead set on 35 or 40 grainers and a 10 twist, now you got me rethinking things

Haha well that wasn’t my purpose but it really is an awesome bullet. Just letting you know what my results have been with 20cals. I’m sure the 35-40’s will kill just fine. I’m a Berger fan and after hearing other peoples results with the 55 then I knew that’s what I wanted to use.

 

[Kimber.204]

I've got a .204 Ruger in a Kimber 84 Varmint.....As my username may suggest. In fact, when my dad ordered it from the distributor, they told him that Kimber told them it was the first one out of the door. I bought it way back as a college graduation gift for myself. I love the gun and the caliber - problem is the coyotes moved in when this happened and they kill all the ground hogs, so I don't' shoot it much any more and my family schedule isn't conducive to hunting 'yotes at night.

The .204R has a lot going for it, but honestly, I don't prefer the smaller calibers anymore.

If I was to buy a .20cal today it would come down to volume of shooting. If you're just shooting it a dozen times a week at varmints in the spot light, I'd go with the .204R and find a factory ammo that it likes and not bother with loading. If you're planning to burn out the barrel in an afternoon of prairie dog shooting then I'd get the .20 Practical for the cheap and easy to find brass.

Good luck!

 

[Leveraction35]

I do see that HSM makes factory ammo with 35gr Berger Varmint JHPs for 204