outlanda

Very interesting JR thank you. So is it OK to shorten a Tikka hammer forged barrel and not effect accuracy?

+1. I have both and found the same. 20 Practical as nice as it is will go as need to tighten belt. A 223 will do the same and more. I will see how i get on without it before deciding on another 20 cal or not. As for performance a 53gr hornady v max will match any 40gr .204 at the same velocity like for like.

I have 2 new boxes (2 x 100) of 40gr hornady v max and 2 new boxes (2 x 100) of 40gr berger match/varmint. £20/box plus post.

I have an opened box with 87 left and they can go for £25 posted if it helps. Steve

I will have the 22 hornady 53gr vmax if they could be posted to me please. PM the details. Thanks Steve

I have the MTR and not LRP. As for looks then i agree the stock is a personal taste and quite ugly. After trying it - it makes sense and it works. The same could be said about the LRP stock and i have opted for an MDT LSS that goes well with the 16" barrel. Both have match barrels, i like the fluting on LRP but only available as 20". No idea if match barrel any better than standard barrel - how good does it need to be? No calibre stated in post so guess .22lr so I should say mine is .17hmr and not a 'match' as no such thing but it is a tighter chamber than T1X and sako quad and only .17hmr i have not had a split case yet. Going off topic my theory is split cases in .17HMR are caused by large chambers and not ammunition quality. Every one with an LRP is happy with it so must be OK.

Thank you Laurie this has been very helpful and made it a lot clearer. I was thinking 22-250 v 22br which you have explained well. A 22-250 could have reduced powder and i remember using around 36gr and still fast but easier on the barrel - i just didn't know how it would compare and whether the wildcat build is worth it' Thanks Steve

Thank you for reamer suggestions. I believed possibly wrongly that i am not allowed to purchase or own the reamer. And since the idea of this project, interest has gone for me with any wildcats and i don't need the extra performance and pain anymore. I am puzzled and do have a question though. When comparing a wildcat to a 22-250 why not just have a 22-250. It will be using about same amount of powder, similar barrel lengths, same noise for same velocity, same barrel life, as long as a 5 round magazine is enough for intended purpose. Only downside for factory rifles is fast twist barrels for heavy bullets so still a costly custom. Thanks Steve

Hello Terry Hope all is well. My understanding is the .222 magnum is obsolete and brass not available. >204 ruger brass is and very easy to neck up to .224 with redding type s die. The case is slightly larger offering a bit more capacity and higher performance. Recently it has been hijacked and renamed 22 terminator. With a 1:7 or 1:8 twist and 80gr-90gr bullets it will perform the same as the .22 grendel with same bullets. The smaller bolt face and .204 ruger cartridge make it a friendly cartridge, it will feed from mags no problems and components easy to obtain. Early on it did well as a wildcat benchrest in US and recently pushed further. The major downfall is the reamer no one has one, so the build never got off the ground. Then looking at other options as mentioned plus .223AI which is not so user friendly the conclusion is to just go with factory rifle in .223, long fast twist barrel, heavy bullets and full cases - make do as its not far away. A lot of pain for small gain. Thanks Steve

After commenting yesterday i thought the new 6mm ARC might be a good alternative. Should be a factory chambered option here may be one day and factory ammunition. Might be interesting in a .224 wildcat which somebody might do one day if not already. Disclaimer for my keyboard warrior friend. I don't have one and no experience of 6mm ARC - just researched and merely a suggestion.

Just another option for same performance using a different parent case to improve feeding from mag etc. Merely a suggestion for reference. Trouble with any of these wildcats is finding a gunsmith with a reamer - and unlikely to happen.

Next. (This is turning into stalking directory)

Got both, only home load so supplies not a problem for components. Really like the .204 for fox, but if i could only have one it would be a .223 as more versatile - range and field use. Running costs for home loads the same, .204 good for reduced loads = .17hmr in cost with better performance.

.22 grendel is an interesting cartridge; however the same performance is possible with 22-204 and 224 valkyrie not far off, with the possibility of a factory rifle and ammunition that might see the light of day here eventually. No experience of any of these so cannot offer any more help. I make do with a .223

thought your comments were aimed at me. Previous experience has shaped my opinion. I have owned a custom 10/22 with only the receiver being original. Only rifle ever owned i regret selling. Painful loss and replacement was hopeless. As i mentioned (if you care to read) i have owned a CZ512 and recommend it for 1/2" 5 shots at 50 yards out of the box and less than £350. It was equal to my CZ455 even with a heavy trigger and clockwork reliable - something the 10/22 was not. I have an AR- 22 because it was an itch i wanted to scratch and just because i can. I have criticised it often and tell it how it is without tinted glasses. At one point it was going but recent events means it has survived. It will be my last semi auto so enjoy it while it lasts and use as intended before giving up on semi's. My last comment you jumped on was a question of what is considered good accuracy. Perhaps you know the answer and care to share it in this little debate. I think sights play are large part in expectations imho. Not 25yds in a tunnel though as my and probably any AR type will match your results - its no test for a .22lr and wouldn't waste my valuable time doing it. As quite rightly mentioned an air rifle will do that all day long. To clarify; - i think a semi auto can be accurate depending on what that accuracy is, the trade off is consistency, reliability and cost. It will usually be custom and expensive or a lucky find - the CZ and probably others i dont know about can be the exception. My preference for .22lr 'precision' would be a bolt action and i dont think i have said otherwise. FFS

As Bruce has asked; what is good accuracy for a 'precision' semi auto - if there is such a thing. A scope with high mag is probably required for best results and as mostly semi's are used with low mag, red dot sights and open sights, 2" at 50 yds with be quite an achievement. Heavy triggers don't help and anyway, after finding some ammunition it likes, why shoot groups with a semi auto when its not the intended purpose.

Looked at Begara BXR and put off by reviews. My suggestion would be a CZ512 as found this as accurate and reliable as a CZ455 out of box. Not 'tacti cool' i know and still has issues as any semi auto will have. Fortyvoats - a little harsh but true. Problem with US AR-22's they are $500 plinkers sold for a £1k in UK and still are plinkers. £2k for something better is just silly. With lower expectations they should not disappoint. Resale of any semi auto means pain. As for pest control - may be close range but not as good as a cheap bolt action and they will be leaving brass behind for the land owner - just a no no.

That's at odds with my experience handloads of 53gr or 50gr vmax. A .204 40gr v max works and would be my 'favourite fox bullet' over the 50gr v max .223 second. A .22wmr head shot would exit and i guess heavier .223 head shot might be the same. I dislike exiting bullets - 'safety' or runners.

Thank you Ronin. I can rule out these as the problem. I have replaced extractor claw many times and bolt is still hard to close and taking chunks out of brass rim. Bolt closes without extractor. Would like to have had an extractor upgrade - as you say finding someone to fit it was a problem. I have given up with it and will sell or PX at some point. Most accurate rifle i have ever shot but i had enough of the extractor. Was going to replace with Tikka .204R. Not so sure now with lack of availability and lack of options. Thanks Steve

Hello Ronin How would i know if hot loads (in the past) are the cause of my extractor problems even though i am using light loads now and what is the fix please. Never had a problem with my Tikka but 2 x Rem 700 .223 Sps tactical (one a 20 practical that i still have) have been a pain in the arse.

nCognitos Thank you for feedback as very interested in the CZ barrel accuracy. My assumption i need a Lilja is probably wrong. As i am building on a budget i might be changing my mind - risk of a bad barrel scares me. Also 16" or 20" fluted mtr? It is Dolphin i have contacted about the Lilja and have seen his builds. He/they have a very nice chassis made in UK and pricey. If i was spending 2k it would be an Anschutz. Mines a budget build on a used 16" .17HMR MTR now in an MDT LSS RF. Regards scope, both Element Helix FFP 6-24x50 MRAD and Vortex Diamond Tactical FFP 6-24x50 MRAD have around 19 MIL of elevation and still affordable. Would recommend either. Thanks Steve

I have a 20 Practical custom build Remington 700 to sell and/or recommend the cartridge

Thank you for the kind offer. Sadly too far away. Its a dilemma. Take the plunge and buy the Lilja with high expectations and be disappointed or a factory CZ MTR barrel and have a nice surprise. Of course i may wish i bought the Lilja in hindsight. Another advantage besides cost is the 16" MTR barrel option and the 1/2"unf factory thread whereas the Lilja will have to threaded and could possibly ruin it. That's the dilema. Could i ask what ammunition to use for this accuracy please?

Very interested if this incredible accuracy is with a 20" fluted factory barrel as i will be purchasing a .22lr barrel soon. Looking at Lilja but still open to the idea of saving a few quid. Thanks Steve