20 Vartarg .150 Short

[ricco1949]

With Saubier down and out for the count it seems that all that data is lost forever.

I know that others have built short versions of the 17 FB and 20 VT.

I have ordered a 17 FB die set and plan to convert it to 20 VT .150 short. I have a 20 VT reamer. I chose the 17 FB die set over a 20 VT die set because it was inexpensive and the shoulders match.

My goal is to end up with a 14-15 grain cartridge similar to K Hornet in a modern case that will take pressure. I have a 77 Ruger K Hornet...

Here's my plan.

1. Anneal top of sizing die and ream neck to .224 with carbide reamer. I've annealed and machined die successfully when making a 221 FB trim die for Dillon 1500 trimmer.
2. Hone neck to .225 with barrel hone for .228 loaded cartridge neck.
3. Cut off bottom of sizing die .150 and hone as necessary to allow proper sizing.
4. My current 20 VT seating die may work as is.
5. Chamber barrel .150 short and hone rear chamber to accommodate sized case.

I think there is a name for this wildcat but that's lost on Sabier...I'll just call mine a 20 VT .150 Shorty.

If anyone has any load data for this cartridge please chime in or advise where it is available.

Any other comments or suggestions are encouraged.

Rick M.

 

[danny]

With Saubier down and out for the count it seems that all that data is lost forever.

No worries....just "down for maintenance".

Danny

 

[Bill K]

It has been : Down for Maintenance: for months now, so I really believe it is gone to history, like some others.

 

[Frankm]

Yeah not looking good on that site

 

[Gabe22BR]

Ideal has crossed my mind as well.. and went ahead made a case -
Best I can come up with is
16gr capacity-@ .200” short

New reamer & resize needed to work-
Newlon dies for sizing & seating

 

[Rick300]

I couldn't imagine working with that tiny case. A regular Vartarg is hard enough.

 

[L.Sherm]

Whats hard about them?

 

[Rick300]

I'm processing about 1000 right now. Not much to hold onto when trimming. And then there's my fat fingers when seating bullets. Still my favorite caliber though!

 

[Gabe22BR]

Trimming????

Guiard makes that easy

 

[L.Sherm]

I'm processing about 1000 right now. Not much to hold onto when trimming. And then there's my fat fingers when seating bullets. Still my favorite caliber though!

Get a Wilson inline seater made problem solved.

 

[ricco1949]

No worries....just "down for maintenance".

Danny

I'm processing about 1000 right now. Not much to hold onto when trimming. And then there's my fat fingers when seating bullets. Still my favorite caliber though!

I will make a trim die for Dillon 1500 once I finalize the OAL....I'm not married to .150 short yet.

 

[Rick300]

Trimming????

Guiard makes that easy

I'm using a Giraud Triway. There's just not much to hold onto.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Here’s my 20 Fireblaster a true 20-221 40* shoulder (.004” crush on shoulder)

Short 40* case is 16.5gr capacity - just .125” short..

 

[Rick300]

Get a Wilson inline seater made problem solved.

Yep, that made it a lot easier. I still fumble finger it every once in a while

 

[Rick300]

Here’s my 20 Fireblaster a true 20-221 40* shoulder (.004” crush on shoulder)

Short 40* case is 16gr capacity - just .125” short..

That looks interesting. What kind of speed are you getting?

 

[L.Sherm]

Yep, that made it a lot easier. I still fumble finger it every once in a while

Pull the stem and drop the bullet down the hole, easy peasy.

 

[Gabe22BR]

That looks interesting. What kind of speed are you getting?

Pipe dream…
Figure to be 3600fos with 32 gr bullets & 16gr powder…
Haven’t went anywhere with it yet..

There’s a 20 Garin case that’s almost perfect… don’t know if dies are available, or anything else since Saubier is down…

 

[ricco1949]

No worries....just "down for maintenance".

Danny

I'm processing about 1000 right now. Not much to hold onto when trimming. And then there's my fat fingers when seating bullets. Still my favorite caliber though!

I will make a trim die for Dillon 1500 once I finalize the OAL....I'm not married to .150 short

Here’s my 20 Fireblaster a true 20-221 40* shoulder (.004” crush on shoulder)

Short 40* case is 16.5gr capacity - just .125” short..

Thanks for the info ...I like that .125 short 40* @ 16.5 g.

Implies .150 short with a 30* should put me very close to 15.0g usable. I'll sneak up on it to make sure.

 

[ricco1949]

I'm using a Giraud Triway. There's just not much to hold onto.

I made my 20 VT Giraud trim die with chamber reamer. Cut it as short as possible and turned lock ring to match height. Plenty to grab onto now.

Yes there isn't much to hold at standard length.


Edit:
Now that u bring it up....I'm gonna have to whittle it down again for the .150 Shorty. I can probably get another .100-.150 off it and ring.

 

[Gabe22BR]

just like mine