20 Practical shooters

TaterTot

TaterTot

New member
Ok guys, I am getting ready to order the dies and bushings to get my ammo loaded up. For now, I am going to use Lake City brass to form my 20 Practical cases. Are any of you guys using Lake City, and if so, what size bushings did you end up using?

I have run all my brass through a gutted RCBS full length sizing die as a first step. Do I need to get 2 bushings to get to my final neck diameter, or can I get it done with one bushing? For those using LC brass, what did you end up with for neck tension and a loaded neck diameter?
 
Originally Posted By: 5spd.225" & .228" are the ones I use.
Ive use every brand of brass with those.

Same here..
 
Lol, sounds like I need at least a 228! I was hoping to be able to get away with just one, maybe two bushings for different brass. LC will be more readily available, but I have some Lapua and have intentions to buy some Norma as well.

I was just trying to figure out a bare minimum list just to get me started with some sighting and function testing loads.
 
Originally Posted By: NdIndy2 bushings, all i got was destroyed brass trying it with 1.

Even after running them through a gutted (no decapping stem and sizer button) 223 die as a first step?
 
I use Lake City brass exclusively for the 20 Practical. I found that on fired/range brass I needed to run the brass through a gutted small base 223 rem sizing die or I would have chambering issues. With new brass I could use a regular gutted 223 rem sizing die. I then outside chamfer the case mouth before using a Redding 223 rem fl bushing die - .225", followed by case trimming. I seat with Forster 223 rem seating die. If I skipped the outside case mouth chamfering I would ruin a case now and then. A very small amount of lube on the necks helps also.
 
Originally Posted By: WI3DerI use Lake City brass exclusively for the 20 Practical. I found that on fired/range brass I needed to run the brass through a gutted small base 223 rem sizing die or I would have chambering issues. With new brass I could use a regular gutted 223 rem sizing die. I then outside chamfer the case mouth before using a Redding 223 rem fl bushing die - .225", followed by case trimming. I seat with Forster 223 rem seating die. If I skipped the outside case mouth chamfering I would ruin a case now and then. A very small amount of lube on the necks helps also.


I've have also found the Wilson bushings are superior to the Reddings because of the chamfer on the edges. Additionally you can flip them numbers down and get an extra 0.0005 sizing on them.

I haven't crushed a 20 caliber neck down, 22-250, 20 Practical, 20 Tactical in so long I can't remember having done it. I always start with the gutted die on new cases. I also do that on my 17-223's running them through a standard die. The neck down goes so much smoother. The outside case mouth chamfer is also critical IMHO.

Greg
 
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Originally Posted By: TaterTotOriginally Posted By: NdIndy2 bushings, all i got was destroyed brass trying it with 1.

Even after running them through a gutted (no decapping stem and sizer button) 223 die as a first step?

I honestly don't remember if I went .223 to start. I processed a bunch in the beginning and now it's just a run through the smallest bushing and it's ready. I'm going to say there's a good chance I did just to decap but I'm not 100% sure. In any case, you only have to do it once. After that it's just like sizing any other brass.

I do know that ALL the decap pins I had were too large to fit down a .20 neck, even my 'universal' one. I had to turn 1 down with a drill/belt sander combo.
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooter227 and 228 on mine. I felt 225 was a bit excessive.

Greg
Hmm interesting. I found using winchester brass with the.228 bushing leftme with so little neck tention that i could seat the bullet by hand. Must be a difference in brass used.
 
Originally Posted By: YotarunnerOriginally Posted By: GLShooter227 and 228 on mine. I felt 225 was a bit excessive.

Greg
Hmm interesting. I found using winchester brass with the.228 bushing leftme with so little neck tention that i could seat the bullet by hand. Must be a difference in brass used.

I've been known to slip in some LC on occasion..LOL I have some old WCC that I use that was pretty thick. I have not done any of the real deal Winchester commercial.

Greg
 
Anyone know why when I seat the 32g Vmax with a RCBS 223 seating die, I am getting chips out of the Red poly tip? Also, does anyone have load data for the Nosler 32g Varmageddons? Or should I just use the vmax data?
 
ok I'll check that later when I get home. Not sure if that is adjustable on the RCBS dies. Has no issue with 22 caliber poly tip bullets. you think with the 20 cal it's going up in further? No issue with the berger HPs
 
Chances are the 32 is being indexed off the tip vs.the side of the bullet in the 223. It id not adjustable. The fix is to drop $20.00 at Midway for a true 20 caliber seater. You aren't trying to just load up a few of these one time. In four plus decades I've found to get the best results I do better getting the tools designed for the job. Skimping on reloading gear is a way to save money but in the long run is not the way to get the most smileage.

Greg
 
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