.204 RUGER / NOSLER

[Richracer1]

Here's my .02 worth. I have a Savage 12FV in .204 Ruger. I have developed my own load using Hornady 32gn V-max propelled by 27gn of H322/H332 (which ever it is). I am extremely happy with my sub-MOA results from this load, so if Nosler does manufacture a 20 cal. bullet, I'll probably not try it. Why change to something else when what I have works very well.

 

[Bayou City Boy]

Change on your .02.

How may coyotes have you shot with the VMAX that blew up on entrance and never dropped the coyote? If you're just shooting PD"S, etc. the VMAX will serve you well.

Otherwise, it and all the other current factory 20 caliber bullets work one time, not the next. Very unreliable because they are all designed for the "shock and awe"' varmint crowd and not as a reliable hunting bullet.

In the past Nosler has turned out some pretty tough bullets in .224" and could probably do the same in 17 and 20 caliber. And they would sell tons of them if they are good.

In addition, for whatever its worth, I have been shooting and/or making hand swaged 20 caliber bullets for over 8 years and know that its not that difficult to build a tough 20 caliber bullet. Will I buy lots of 20 caliber bullets from Nosler? It will depend on what they make - if anythng - and how they perform. However, it would be nice to see other folks have a better choice off the shelf than they have now.

Welcome to the 20 caliber world. Glad your new Savage toy shoots well for you. Just for information, there are several 20 caliber wildcat cartridges such as the 20 Tactical and the 20 BR to name two, that make your "new 20 caliber'"look like an afterthought.

The 20 Tac will shoot with the 204 velocity wise and do it with about 1.5 grains less powder and with excellent brass from IMI and Lapua. Too bad Hornady/Ruger were't smaft enough to not develop an "overbore" cartridge (to use the commonly mis-applied term that most folks understand) when they introduced their 20 caliber.

Some folks have been shooting 20 calibers literally for years before 99% of the" knowledgeable" gun folks had ever heard of one. I know I have been. And I also have a pretty good idea of what is and isn't a good 20 caliber hunting bullet - from experience - not from what some gun writer tells me each month.

Incidentally, its H322. - BCB