New rifle or build…which caliber?

Talk about or share information about your centerfire rifles.
triggerfingers
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.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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?
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jpx2rk
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12FV, R783/20P combo
Location: East TN

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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.
Master Piddler ;)
jsh
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.204 Ruger Guns: Encore, savage LRPV

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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
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.204 Ruger Guns: CZ Varminter
Location: North Georgia

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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
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.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by triggerfingers »

Looks like the 20 Practical wins!!! Think of get a bolt action AR upper.
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Tom Kat
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.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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.
The more people I know, the more I love my dog.
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Rick in Oregon
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.204 Ruger Guns: Sako 75V, Cooper MTV, Kimber 84M, Cust M700 11 Twist
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Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Tom Kat wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 5:26 pmI 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.

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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. :wink:
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Rick in Oregon
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Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Tom Kat
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.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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
The more people I know, the more I love my dog.
triggerfingers
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.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by triggerfingers »

I do not disagree with either of you… That’s why I have two of each….20 VT and 221 fireball.
triggerfingers
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.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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.
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Tom Kat
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.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by Tom Kat »

triggerfingers wrote: Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:15 am 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
The more people I know, the more I love my dog.
triggerfingers
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Posts: 119
Joined: Wed May 10, 2017 8:39 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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
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Posts: 119
Joined: Wed May 10, 2017 8:39 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper MTV 204 Ruger, Savage 12 LRPV 20 VT, Cooper MTV 6x45

Re: New rifle or build…which caliber?

Post by 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.
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