Advantages over 204 Ruger

[Bill K]

Can someone tell me the real advantage of the 20 Practial over the 204Ruger, other than a little less cost on brass and a slight amount in the powder to reload a case ? I can just load my 204 Ruger down slightly to the practial's velocity and have the same effect, I believe.. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

Bill, no real difference as far as field performance is concerned, however the Tac 20 with it's 30* shoulder like the 204, will give equal velocities with less powder, due to slight differences in case volume. The 20 Practical has just a slightly smaller internal case volume as it retains the 223's 23* shoulder vs the Tac 20's 30* shoulder. The Tac 20 has almost ideal case volume to bore ratio. Also, the Tac 20 is just a tad more efficient than the 204R when case volume vs.velocity is concerned. "Loading down" a cartridge never realizes the same potential as a smaller cased round, as it creates excessive unused internal volume, so the powder is oriented differently for each shot changing the ignition dynamics which is one reason why we strive for as close to 100% loading density as possible.

The biggest advantage from where I sit, is much better brass quality/availability, less expensive, with 99% of 204 Ruger performance.

Of course the 204R has more internal volume as noted, so will always win a speed contest between the three if that is the goal, and is a better platform for a 204R shooting bullets heavier than 40 grains. (Remember the old adage: "No replacement for displacement"?) My next build after a walkabout 20VT that's in the works, will be a Tac 20, most likely on a Cooper of some flavor.......

[Bill K]

Thank You Rick. Sort of what I thought. But always looking for info.. One day, I too, will most likely build/get either the 20P or 20T, the 20P being a little easier on sizing, etc. Right now, I am enjoying the heck out of the 204 and 20VT. As I have heard/seen you say before, a guy never has enough guns/toys. Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

I agree with Rick. I will add that if we have another year like this one with limited or no availability of 204 ruger brass it sure makes the 20 tac and 20 prac a more appealing option. The limited quality and availability of 204R brass has caused me to rechamber one of my 204 rugers to a 20 Tac this winter.

[Bill K]

You two ??? I suppose your have the dies, etc to form the 20 Tac, Brad ? I just might have to see about a barrel from pacnor for my one Rem 700. Again what twist, mainly for 32-40 grain bullets, would be best? I had better start checking out the options. Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

Yep me too. Yes we keep the Redding form die and a standard 2 die set in stock for the 20 tac. By the way if you are interested I have a friend who just talked to me today about selling a new Rock Creek stainless fluted 12 twist barrel in the Remington varmint countour, he bought it for a build and the action he planned to use never showed up. Typically the 12 twist barrel is good for up to the Sierra 39 grain blitzkings, any bullet longer or heavier than that and i would recommend a 10 twist barrel.

You two ??? I suppose your have the dies, etc to form the 20 Tac, Brad ? I just might have to see about a barrel from pacnor for my one Rem 700. Again what twist, mainly for 32-40 grain bullets, would be best? I had better start checking out the options. Bill K

[Bill K]

Brad, I sent you a email, if it made it. Price, threaded, chambered, etc. and it is for a Rem 700 action ? Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

Its a new Rock Creek stainless barrel blank. He had it made in the Rem 700 Varmint Contour, he also had it fluted. He is asking $325 shipped. Not sure if you are familiar with Rock Creek, they make some excellent barrels according to many of the guys over on the Saubier forum.

[Denio]

I have to agree with Rick on this one also... Having had both the 204 & Tac 20 both in Cooper Phoenix... no difference in the field is noticable..
I remember reading an article in the Varmint Hunter on the difference between the two... About 5 pages of reading and all you needed to read was the last paragraph.. Said what Rick just said...
On the brass problem... didn't know there was one.. I will have a lot of 204 brass and dies for sale.. just need to get my act together and figure it all out... Will post all the stuff probably next week...

[Bill K]

So Denio, I assume you are switching to the Tac 20 and dropping your 204 Ruger..? Bill K

[Denio]

Yes I am dropping the 204. I have been shooting a Cooper TAC 20 for a year now.. I like any 20 caliber for small varmint hunting... The TAC 20 is listed for sale.. the 204 was sold last week... Too many ideas and too little money... I have two barrels on order from PacNor, and two actions I will pickup next week... Hope to get these rifles put together and tested by years end and ready for next year... Both barrels will be in TAC 20.

[Bodei]

I've been contemplating the 20VT now for a while to handle my large volume squirrel hunting, but I am kind of holding off to get some feedback on the 17 Hornet. I think that it could be a dandy sage rat shooter. And very friendly on the powder budget. Lots to think about this winter. Also 20 VT vs Prac/Tac to think about too. I see more 221FB brass in stores than 204 ruger. 204 Ruger must be popular as I only found 1 bag of Rem brass once at Cabelas. Every other store Ive been to has no 204 brass.