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Author
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Topic: Thinking about my first wildcat
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RudeDawg
PAKMAN
Member # 65
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posted February 06, 2003 08:38 AM
I've been thinking about getting my first wildcat. I'm about 80% sure that it would be either a 20-222 or a Tac20. What should I know and where would I find it out? I've searched the internet and found some anecdotal info. I couldn't find any satisfactory technical data.
RudeDawg
Edited for spelling inability
[ February 06, 2003, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: RudeDawg ]
Posts: 5 | From: Central Kentucky | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 06, 2003 09:02 AM
We are fortunate to have a member that uses one of those puppies. He can certainly speak for himself, but he seems to like it very much.
Now, not to throw cold water. I am always a little bit careful about doing something the first time. If you have no experience with wildcats, you should consider all aspects before plunging ahead, into the unknown.
For instance, why are you doing this? Is there a level of performance that is unattainable from standard chamberings? Do you just want something different?
Short story. I was trimming brass yesterday, for 220 Swift. The whole time, I was thinking of why I went to the Ackley series for a large portion of my predator shooting. But, once you do the case prep, and fireforming, there are no other negatives, only advantages, including being able to use factory ammunition, and standard bench and cleaning tools.
For a working gun, there is a lot to be said for utility and performance. I don't own any true "wildcats" because my needs are rather conventional, and I'm a little lazy and cheap; eh, make that thrifty.
All this is meaningless if the need is; "I just want one!" If that's the case, you have my blessing, my son. I'm playing the Devil's Advocate, here. (Sly, take over; please)
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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JLDakota
Knows what it's all about
Member # 14
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posted February 06, 2003 09:30 PM
Rudedawg, The following site should provide insight to several 20 caliber shooters and some of the specifics of their rifles and loads. http://www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/twentycaliber.html Also as Leonard referenced, Slydog has killed a "bunch" of coyotes with the Tac20 over the past couple years so can speak to most concerns you have on coyotes and that caliber. I grew up on a Swift and a 22-243 but my Tac20 has left them gathering dust in the rack. Jim
Posts: 19 | From: MN | Registered: Jan 2003
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20t-n-t
Knows what it's all about
Member # 46
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posted February 09, 2003 11:29 AM
First of all thanks for the nodd boys.
Two good scorses for info are Twenty caliber page at www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/twentycaliber.html
and www.smallcaliber.com
also jim's is a damn good place to get info on 20's
RudeDawg, I think you would be best served with the Tact20. Now I'll tell you why. With less than 28 grains of powder, you can push a 33grn v-max at 4350fps or a 45grn lucas BT at around 3650fps. Brass is everywhere. and it don't take to much labor to get case prep done and they fire form. I can carry 50 rounds of Tact20 to anyones 30 rounds of 22-250 as far as weight goes and there is no recoil. I know that i'm going to touch off a powder keg here but the Tact20 will out perform the 22-250. Its flatter shooting and more accurite. With the Tact20 You can watch it all happen in the scope and you can't do that with a 22-250 or a 220 swift unless they weigh 14lbs and even then you will not see bullet impact.
When I first started shooting the 20t-n-t there was 2 bullets made and availability was sketchy at best.Now there are 11 diffrent bullets and 7 diffrent companys building them. you can order them on the net. and have them here in two days,,, soon you will be able to buy them over the counter at shooters supply houses. Trust me. And if you have any kids its the perfict breakin gun. Take them out for a day of "chuckin" or on a fox hunt, the gun will not buck them and they will have fun shootin it. If its fun they will want to do more of it.
In light of what I have said here, I don't want to piss on anyone or make them mad. At all,,or in any way,, this is all fact not fiction. I'm not tootin my own horn and have nothing to gain with the disclosure of this information. I have been playing with it for almost 2 years and have recorded much data to back it up. I have many guns almost as many as my wife has shoes,, well maybe not that many but all of them just collect dust now that my 20's are workin,(its my fault that they were'nt by the way)
Thats my 2 cents RudeDawg
Smote the Yote
Slydog
P.S. I plan on shooting a deer with it this year and the deer that I shot this last season was well over 300 lbs OTH
Smote the Deer??
[ February 09, 2003, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: 20t-n-t ]
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Teach a kid to hunt and fish and feed them for a lifetime......
Posts: 245 | From: Boise Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 09, 2003 12:40 PM
Sly, you gotta try harder than that to upset this bunch, where do you think you are, PMS?
I will say this. You have to feel the client out, as to how much they are willing to put into any wildcat, or nonconventional cartridge. It's happened to me before, and I like to error on the side of caution, rather than expound on the virtues of any exotic. Makes me feel bad when I can tell they just aren't into it, after plunging.
As far as your twenties, you got me interested; but not enough to go to the expense and effort, at this point in time. they appear to be worthy of consideration, and that's more than faint praise on my part.
You touched on availability, I had wondered about that issue. I'm a lot more willing to consider a twenty than a seventeen; For my purpose!
Still, 36 grain bullets seem suspect for long range applications, especially since I can get them quite dead with 65 grainers. You can't match ballistics with my Ackley Improved, so I'd not be simply dying to have a twenty built for the same type of hunting. I'm to cheap, or practical, I guess?
Good hunting. LB
edit: My 22-250 AI weighs 18½ pounds, so I can usually watch the action.
[ February 09, 2003, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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RudeDawg
PAKMAN
Member # 65
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posted February 10, 2003 07:44 AM
I've got lot's of ready and mulling over to do now!! Thanks for the info. I'm going to reserve the right to ask more questions!!
As far as why I'm wanting to do this.... It's a little embarrasing to admitting to being this shallow. I haven't grown out of my adolesence completely. I like being a little different. I shoot 222 and 38-55 rifles in a bunch of 223 and 30-30 die hards. Drives them nuts trying to figure me out...... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posts: 5 | From: Central Kentucky | Registered: Jan 2003
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