Favorite 20 cal projectile for calling song dogs

06x6spdGTO

New member
Starting to dial in my 20 Practical this season and was curious what everyone’s projectile of choice for those facing and possible turn and running shot on coyotes.

Had some terrible luck last season with 70grn Nosler Varmegedon 243 cal bullets that I’d rather avoid this year.
 
39 Sierra BK. I’ve had excellent results on close shots out to 310 yards. I have had no opportunity to shoot one further and they have been shot at modest velocities of 3400 ft/s for those results. I now shoot them at 3850-3900 ft/s
 
Originally Posted By: erikc83839 Sierra BK. I’ve had excellent results on close shots out to 310 yards. I have had no opportunity to shoot one further and they have been shot at modest velocities of 3400 ft/s for those results. I now shoot them at 3850-3900 ft/s

You are getting those velocities with a 20 Practical with a 39 gr bullet? That is what my 32 gr are doing. I am getting 3400-3600 with the 39's.
 
The 39 gr tipped Sierra is a great prairie dog bullet. For winter coyote here in Minnesota, not so great. My 17 rem with a 30 gr hp is a much more reliable one shot kill. I am waiting on a 20 practical barrel for an Ar upper build, going to start with the 35 gr Berger. I have shot a few with the 35 from my 204 and the wound(tissue damage) I see when skinning is closer to the 17(which I prefer).
 
Originally Posted By: B23The 35 and 40 grain Berger's are often a popular choice.


I shoot both of these in my 204. Both shoot very well. Its to heavy for a coyote rifle so I have no results on them. Turtles don't care for them very much.
 
I have had fairly good luck with the 40 vmax doing 3500 though I have had the odd splash here and there. I have a new build that shoots the 32's well and I'm going to give that a try this winter
 
Yes, with a 204 and 20TAC, both with 2520 powder.

Originally Posted By: reb8600Originally Posted By: erikc83839 Sierra BK. I’ve had excellent results on close shots out to 310 yards. I have had no opportunity to shoot one further and they have been shot at modest velocities of 3400 ft/s for those results. I now shoot them at 3850-3900 ft/s

You are getting those velocities with a 20 Practical with a 39 gr bullet? That is what my 32 gr are doing. I am getting 3400-3600 with the 39's.
 
Originally Posted By: erikc838Yes, with a 204 and 20TAC, both with 2520 powder.

Pray tell, how many grains of 2520 behind the 39 SBK? I also
have a 204R and 20Tac.
 
I am out of town on business until Thanksgiving but will have my wife check the box and get back to you on that. I chronographed them right before I left.

Originally Posted By: DannoBooneOriginally Posted By: erikc838Yes, with a 204 and 20TAC, both with 2520 powder.

Pray tell, how many grains of 2520 behind the 39 SBK? I also
have a 204R and 20Tac.
 
I use the 37gr hp that was made by Custom Reloading, but they quit making them, so I started using Blaine Leisy's 37gr. hp as they are very close to the CRT bullets. Close enough that the load is the same as well as the results.
I had the very same thing happen when I tested 30gr. 17 caliber bullets of Chan Nagels vs Brian Leisy's. Even the point of impact was the same.
crazy.gif


Blackhole Bullets is Blaine Leisy's company.
 
I used the 39g blitz kings last year. Shot three coyotes, farthest was 253 face on. They all dropped.

Better luck with them than the vmax. Not alot to go on, but I would use them again.
 
How fast were you pushing them? Just in testing my 1:9 McGowen Barrel in 20 Practical the 39grn Speer TNT seems to be grouping very well over H4895 25.3grn LC Brass and BR4 primers. At 2.22COL I’m getting 3615fps from a 20” Barrel.
 
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29.7gr of 2520 in the 204

Originally Posted By: erikc838I am out of town on business until Thanksgiving but will have my wife check the box and get back to you on that. I chronographed them right before I left.

Originally Posted By: DannoBooneOriginally Posted By: erikc838Yes, with a 204 and 20TAC, both with 2520 powder.

Pray tell, how many grains of 2520 behind the 39 SBK? I also
have a 204R and 20Tac.
 
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Pretty hot load. That is 1.7 grains over their published max for a 40 grain bullet. That load is closer to the 32 grain bullet data.
 
Hornady 10th shows 29.6 with a 40 grain v max.

Originally Posted By: reb8600Pretty hot load. That is 1.7 grains over their published max for a 40 grain bullet. That load is closer to the 32 grain bullet data.
 
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Thank-you Erik. My Encore Tac20 is as accurate as many bolts,
but my RAP 204R hasn't really liked anything I've fed it. Now,
if I can just find some 2520 around here......
 
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