"precision" .20 PRACTICAL Varmint gun~starting from ground zero

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~after a year-long stint with a .204, some trigger time with a .243, and a LONG-time love of .223, I'm feeling some temptation to try one of the more efficient .20 cal options out there. As you just can't go out and buy a rifle chambered in .20 practical, a build would be required. As I have no experience with that, I suspect the first thing to do is compile a list of components/suppliers/costs etc. I suspect it would be most economical to build off of a 700 action, but I'm open to ideas. How often do custom builds start from a doner rifle, and which would be the most economical? Stevens/short action? The trigger/barrel/stiff stock probably trump everything else in terms of priorities, but would a Stevens stock be a throw-away? I open to the idea of a single-shot bolt gun.

Lots of questions.....but a modest budget makes this a longer-term project anyway. Feel free to dumb-down the language...I won't be offended. :)

Thanks guys,
.22LRGUY
 
For rifle builds on a budget you can't beat the DIY capability of a Savage.
The Stevens 200 is a good way to go, or perhaps a model with accustock would be better because you can use that stock.
Find yourself a prefit barrel in the US and import through Prophet river for $50.
Size a case and use it as your headspace gauge to install your barrel.

I turned a Stevens 200 in 223 into a 260Rem with shillen prefit. At first I stiffened the Stevens stock by bedding rods into the forend and pillar bedding it. I can send you pictures if interested.
I eventually bought a Choate Tactical stock because they are very reasonably priced and have an aluminum chassis and bedding block. The Stevens trigger can be stoned for light crisp break if you are careful or else get yourself a rifle basix Sav-2.
I've had it for 5 years now and it's still accurate as heck.
I had it out last Sunday and was consistently hitting an 8" gong at 712y. I lost count but I think I had a string of 7 hits in a row (2 spotters/witnesses ;) )

I've also built a 338 edge doing the same thing, I found a 111 Long range hunter and built off the action.

Here they are with matching stocks.


Good luck!

Jon
 
my long range 20 prac started life as a savage model 12 223 and it works great!
like you said if you are going to try and be as economical as possible the amount of aftermarket rem 700 stuff is crazy! if you watched the EE carefully you could get a lot of parts fairly cheep. the only downside i see to a rem 700 action is the fact that you may want to get it blueprinted which would mean higher costs at the gunsmith.
i went with a barrel from Bob jury in red deer and i cannot say enough good things about the barrel and the service. bob was great to deal with and had the barrel done and ready to head to the smith faster than i ever expected.

right now as it sits this is a really rough cost breakdown of the parts and service that went into building my rifle.
savage model 12 223. dont remember what i paid but they go used for aprox $700
bob jury barrel. stainless contoured to my preferred dimensions. 1 and 11.5 twist (i think) $430
rifle basix trigger to replace the accutrigger that was being a pain. $130
PTG reamer. $160
gunsmithing services at custom gunworx. chambering, fitting, crowning $450 (cant recall prices so dont quote me on it)
vortex 6-24x40. bought used on EE for $450

this is my gun right now as it sits. i still have the original accustock as i cant seem to find a aftermarket that i like and even though it is not bedded i have still managed hits on gophers out to 400 yards and hits on steel out to 600.
if you have any more questions about the 20prac i will try and answer em for ya.
 
Since your going with a wildcat chambering why not consider the 20 Tactical or 20 Vartarg or Vartarg turbo.
 
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