New rifle or build…which caliber?

[triggerfingers]

Looking for new caliber to try out. Let’s start with what I have… 204 Ruger, 20 VT, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 223 Rem, 224 Valkyrie, 22-250, 243 Win and 6x45. All of them are bolt actions. I really prefer the small cases with light recoil compared to the 22-250 and 243. I was thinking of maybe trying 17 caliber like the Fireball or the Mach IV. I can find used Coopers in such chamberings. Also thinking of another20 cal like the 20 Practical. Open to other suggestions. Thoughts?

[jpx2rk]

20 P is fun and easy to do. Making the brass is a bit time consuming but during the summer heat, sitting in the gun room making 20P brass in the AC is a no brainer. Brass is pretty cheap compared to other calibers as well. 1x LC, or whatever flavor you prefer is easy to get and plentiful for the most part. finding the dies and bushings could be difficult right now, but they do show up at times.

[jsh]

From what I see you have about everything covered on a 223 parent case. You have a 204 so I see little +or- in a 20P.
Go to a 22 or 20 BR. Either will give returns over a 223 case without pushing pressures.

[EvanB]

.20 Practical MAKES GOOD SENSE

I am leaving for a Prairie Dog hunt tomorrow morning! Taking both .223 and my .204 Ruger Mossberg MVP Varmint. Brass is so hard to find for the .204. After I expend the 500 or so I have loaded, I think I will sell it off and build the .20 Practical I have wanted. Makes more sense than any other for me.
By the way, I have the MVP shooting 5 shot groups at 100 yards of .52". Using CFE223, 32 Grain , 29.5 grains CCI primers.

[triggerfingers]

Looks like the 20 Practical wins!!! Think of get a bolt action AR upper.

[Tom Kat]

I wish I had seen this earlier. I LOVE my 2321 Remington Fireball. I wacked a big male yote at 80 yards this winter. He was lights out and I saw it all through my scope as their is no real recoil. I am using a CZ 527. I have some foxes lurking about my semi populated ranch that will get the fireball. Its realitivly quiet so a good tool.

[Rick in Oregon]

I wish I had seen this earlier. I LOVE my 221 Remington Fireball. I wacked a big male yote at 80 yards this winter. He was lights out and I saw it all through my scope as their is no real recoil. I am using a CZ 527.

Another vote for the little "Furball". I've got two, a CZ 527 American and a Cooper M38 Phoenix. One of the great underrated cartridges for work inside of 400 yards. I prefer my Cooper Phoenix for its synthetic stock while crawling about the lava rock, favorite home of our rockchucks so as to not goon up a nice Claro walnut stock.

Last weeks outing....Nosler 40gr VG over RL-7 in Lapua cases near home.



The property owners where I shoot really like me to shoot either my 20VT or 221FB as they feel the 204R is just too noisy for the size of the property. Fine with me, they both shoot lights out.

[Tom Kat]

Yeah within 200 yards my furball will run with the .204 anywhere I want to go. It is a very under rated caliber

[triggerfingers]

I do not disagree with either of you… That’s why I have two of each….20 VT and 221 fireball.

[triggerfingers]

I have decided to go with the 20 practical as my next build… I have on order an Uintah Precision AR bolt action upper with a 24” barrel and a 1:11 twist.

[Tom Kat]

I have decided to go with the 20 practical as my next build… I have on order an Uintah Precision AR bolt action upper with a 24” barrel and a 1:11 twist.

good luck and post pictures please

[triggerfingers]

Well I got the upper in and a scoped mounted. Went to the range and I am rather impressed with the new upper… Shot 6 different test loads in .5 gr. increments with Reloder 10X and the worst group was just a hair over 1 inch at 100 yards and the best was .37 inches. The action cycles smooth and has a heavy barrel.

[triggerfingers]

I have recently switched powder to H4198 and seen a marked improvement in accuracy in five shot groups. I would have flyers with 10X and switching the powder eliminated those. Velocity with a 32 gr. bullet is right at 3985 extremely fun to shoot and accurate now. Very pleased.

[TheArsenal]

Trying out a new caliber can be a lot of fun, and it's always exciting to see what kind of performance you can get from different rounds. If you're looking for a small case with light recoil, the 17-caliber rounds would be a good choice. The Fireball and Mach IV are great options, and the 20 Practical could be another good choice. Have you thought about trying out any of the newer 6mm rounds, like the 6mm Creedmoor or 6mm ARC?