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20 VARTARG

I have recently started reloading for the 20 VARTARG and I have came to the problem of trimming the neck on the cases and I can't find anything to do that with.. Nor can I find any information on what people are using or where they found their case trimmer. If I could get any information at all it would be appreciated
 
I have recently started reloading for the 20 VARTARG and I have came to the problem of trimming the neck on the cases and I can't find anything to do that with.. Nor can I find any information on what people are using or where they found their case trimmer. If I could get any information at all it would be appreciated

???

Any trimmer that holds a .378" (223) rim and has a 20 cal arbor will work. Pretty much all trimmers will do pistol cases on up to large magnum rifles cases.

What's your trouble exactly?

If you are necking down 221 FireBall brass with a bushing die, the neck walls get thick making the inside diameter of the neck pretty small and hard to get over a case trimmer arbor. In that case, put your expander ball on, run it through the necks, trim the cases, trim the neck walls down to .013", and run thru your bushing again. otherwise use a larger bushing, provided the loaded rounds will still chamber
 
Not exactly sure what your problem is either...

I trim my 20 Vartarg cases to length with a Redding 2400 trimmer. For 17 and 20 caliber pilots they use a 5/32 shank (as opposed to a 3/16 shank) so I had to buy another trimmer head.
 
Thank you I appreciate it! I'm 18 and have reloaded some but pretty new to wildcat rounds like the 20 VARTARG. I have only used lee case trimmers so far. You guys have answered my questions and I will look into getting a redding 2400 trimmer
 
Hey young gun, just wanting to welcome you and tell you i think it is cool you are reloading and that you are jumping into a wildcat. If you have more questions or want help, make sure you reach out. Lots of helpful guys here. Don't be afraid to do a lot of reading on the articles sections and the cartridge section of the website, and use the PM (personal message) option here to reach out to the guys who have experience. Some of us make or living in the business and are willing to help out guys starting out, as long as they remain humble and listen to advice, eh? Glad to have you aboard.

Snert
 
Thank you I appreciate it! I'm 18 and have reloaded some but pretty new to wildcat rounds like the 20 VARTARG. I have only used lee case trimmers so far. You guys have answered my questions and I will look into getting a redding 2400 trimmer

Young Gun, You are showing an Excellent Attitude!! You have embarked on a life's worth of fun, learning, head scratching and sifting through ideas, random musings and facts as tossed out by your peers. One fellow has the tag line that I really like.......and have tried to emulate for the last few score years:
"I hope what I know about shooting and reloading doesn't prevent me from learning more."
Again, good on ya.

I started with a scale, teaspoon, pound of IMR 4895, a hunnert each primers and bullets plus the mighty Lyman 310 nutcracker for my new ADL 243. Killed a lot of chucks back then with that set up. Oh yeah, a monster Tasco 3-9x, no AO (whazzat?) as I couldn't afford the Weaver 4-12.
 
Ok, just did a little research. Totally unfamiliar with the Lee Quick Trim. Appears it is a cartridge specific (no VARTARG listed) tool. So it makes sense Younggun would be confused and reach out. Maybe someone else uses this tool and knows better about it.
Younggun you have a PM

Snert
 
Young Gun, You are showing an Excellent Attitude!! You have embarked on a life's worth of fun, learning, head scratching and sifting through ideas, random musings and facts as tossed out by your peers. One fellow has the tag line that I really like.......and have tried to emulate for the last few score years:
"I hope what I know about shooting and reloading doesn't prevent me from learning more."
Again, good on ya.

I started with a scale, teaspoon, pound of IMR 4895, a hunnert each primers and bullets plus the mighty Lyman 310 nutcracker for my new ADL 243. Killed a lot of chucks back then with that set up. Oh yeah, a monster Tasco 3-9x, no AO (whazzat?) as I couldn't afford the Weaver 4-12.
I have always been interested in rifles because of my dad but when I turned 16 I got a job at the local gunshop and that's when my interest was sparked with reloading and the endless amount of wildcat rounds out there. I shot this group at 100 yards with the 20 VARTARG that my father and I built on a model 7 action with a shilen 24" 1:12 twist barrel.

I also have a question. Does a neck sizing die make a big difference on the life of 20 VARTARG cases? I currently only have a full length die and I was wondering if it is worth spending the money on a neck sizer? I have heard of guys getting up to 25 firings out of this cartridge but I'm curious on if they're doing any extra to preserve the case life like annealing
 

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I have always been interested in rifles because of my dad but when I turned 16 I got a job at the local gunshop and that's when my interest was sparked with reloading and the endless amount of wildcat rounds out there. I shot this group at 100 yards with the 20 VARTARG that my father and I built on a model 7 action with a shilen 24" 1:12 twist barrel.

I also have a question. Does a neck sizing die make a big difference on the life of 20 VARTARG cases? I currently only have a full length die and I was wondering if it is worth spending the money on a neck sizer? I have heard of guys getting up to 25 firings out of this cartridge but I'm curious on if they're doing any extra to preserve the case life like annealing

Just teasing son, but one shot aint a group! :);)

That is a fine shooting rifle.
 
Just bump the shoulder back, and annual the cases every other firing. Most likely the primer pockets will go before split necks..
 
One thing that will extend the life of your brass (and barrel) is: Don't always look for the hottest load you can shoot. Velocity is good for bucking the wind, but it's hard on brass(primer pockets) and barrels (throat erosion). As an example, I have a .17 Fireball that I can push to around 4000fps with a .20g bullet.(Maybe higher) But I don't--I run it at 3850 because I found a very good accuracy node at this velocity. Result = Longer barrel life and less copper fouling. The varmints can't tell the velocity difference.
This rifle has been my main Small Varmint rifle for the last 6 or 7 years and has north of 3000 rounds down it and is still shooting wonderfully.
Welcome to the forum and keep an open mind. dedogs
 
I knew you wuz a fast learner. Always put a "cover" target over the one you're going to show, the powder burns usually don't show at 3 yds, unless it is a Magnum...:p;):rolleyes:
 
One thing that will extend the life of your brass (and barrel) is: Don't always look for the hottest load you can shoot. Velocity is good for bucking the wind, but it's hard on brass(primer pockets) and barrels (throat erosion). As an example, I have a .17 Fireball that I can push to around 4000fps with a .20g bullet.(Maybe higher) But I don't--I run it at 3850 because I found a very good accuracy node at this velocity. Result = Longer barrel life and less copper fouling. The varmints can't tell the velocity difference.
This rifle has been my main Small Varmint rifle for the last 6 or 7 years and has north of 3000 rounds down it and is still shooting wonderfully.
Welcome to the forum and keep an open mind. dedogs
The current load I am using out of my 20 VARTARG is 17 grains of R10x and using a 39 grain Sierra blitzking. It shoots the best out of the 5 powders I have loaded in it. I do not know how fast it is running because I'm yet to acquire a chronograph machine but I dont think that is a hot load for this cartridge
 
Neither do I but I don't have any experience with that powder. Maybe one of our friends with Quick-load can chime in.
What other powders have you tried? dedogs
H4198, R7, 8208, H4895, and then 10x. I wasn't real sure about the H4895 when I loaded it because i had never heard of anyone shooting it out of the 20 VARTARG but I know it pretty popular with 204 Ruger and the 20 tactical and practical so I thought I'd give it a try. It didn't perform bad but it wasn't as good as the R10x
 
If you can find it (and afford it) you might try Ramshot Exterminator although your rifle is shooting very well with the 10X.
dedogs...what charge weight are you starting out with on the X Terminator powder and with 32 or 39gr bullets? Thanks

Gene
 

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