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All this 20VT talk has me thinking

Fern

Silver $$ Contributor
I have a cz527 lux in 223 that I don’t shoot it. I got it for a price I couldn’t refuse. Reading Rick’s post on his rat shoot and the low recoil makes me wonder do I need a 20VT? I have a 20 TAC 204R already but trying to justify the 20VT.
I know you have to turn brass or buy some from members that make it I am not afraid of the “chore”. For some reason I enjoy processing cleaning brass
I was super impressed with pac nor and the barrel they put on my 204R that I would send to them if I go through with it
 
You won't regret having a 20VT.

18 grains of powder, a 40VM @3400, with little recoil and seeing impact without a brake or suppressor....nuttin' but good to go.

My 223 is now just a backup to 20VT and 222.

The VT is likely to become your go to rifle on the "Rat Patrol".
 
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I have a cz527 lux in 223 that I don’t shoot it. I got it for a price I couldn’t refuse. Reading Rick’s post on his rat shoot and the low recoil makes me wonder do I need a 20VT? I have a 20 TAC 204R already but trying to justify the 20VT.
I know you have to turn brass or buy some from members that make it I am not afraid of the “chore”. For some reason I enjoy processing cleaning brass
I was super impressed with pac nor and the barrel they put on my 204R that I would send to them if I go through with it
Do it you won't regret it. I take a 204 or Practical loaded with 40 grain bullets and a Vartarg loaded with 32 grain when I shoot prairie dogs. The Vartarg is just about recoiless with a suppressor on it.
 
If I could have only one rifle for pdogs, I’d keep the 204. But, the 20VT is an efficient overachiever, holding its own out past 300 yds. I am shooting 32 vmax at about 3700 fps. I formed all my brass from RP 221FB in one pass, with no other brass work needed. It is easily my second favorite varmint cartridge, only because of the longer range with the 204.
Go for it!
 
You won't regret having a 20VT.

18 grains of powder, a 40VM @3400, with little recoil and seeing impact without a brake or suppressor....nuttin' but good to go.

My 223 is now just a backup to 20VT and 222.

The VT is likely to become your go to rifle on the "Rat Patrol".
What powder does your VT like? I shot 18gr of H335 with a 32gr VM and only got about 3000fps out of my new old stock Cooper Model 38.
 
Fern, you know me. Have I ever steered you in the wrong direction?

After your experience with your 11t 204 Match Pac-Nor rifle, the logical next step (to me) would be a 20VT on that CZ with another P/N barrel....3G 12T. Your 204 is good in the PD or rat patch out to farther than you'll most likely ever shoot a small varmint. Inside of 400 yards, a 20VT will serve you very well and not burn over 25grs of powder doing it. It'll go out to 500 on squirrels or PD's though if ever needed.

Almost no recoil, minimum blast that adds up after a few hours of continual shooting, miserly on powder; 18.5grs gives me 3,700 fps with the 32gr, see all your hits through the scope, and you really don't have to clean as often. I usually go 50 - 75 rounds before I do, and it's only because I want to, as the accuracy still is there. I've even gone 100 rnds downrange when the shooting was too good to stop. Again, no apparent degrading of accuracy. You'll also notice a distinct lack of barrel heating. Heat is a barrel's worst enemy.



Barrel life is very good also. Mine has just ovr 5,200 rounds sent downrange, almost all at hair, and it still shoots in the .2's. It's just about the finest cartridge for PD's and sage rats inside of 400 yards to ever come down the pike. Todd Kindler, the originator of the cartridge bugged me for five years to build one. Once I had mine in hand and had come back from a rat rodeo, I told him about it and my experience. The reply from Todd: "Told you so". 'Nuff said.

Because of my associaton with Nosler, I shoot their BT's and Varmageddon seconds for the value. One does not need expensive match bullets to shoot colony rodents. Here's a comparison of both in a test I did a while back:



Note that both targets were shot with Nosler 'seconds'. Not much else to say in that regard.

With a couple of fellows here on AS, you can get fully formed and ready to load 20VT brass too (The CZ Kid is an excellent source). I just form from Lapua, Nosler or R-P using a Redding body die, then a bushing neck die, neck turn, load and shoot. Like you, I don't mind spending time in my gun room forming or prepping brass.

Oh, and I'll add that the 20VT is also quite the chuck medicine too:



Lots to like about the little 20VT. ;)
 
That CZ with a PacNor 20VT barrel I'm sure would be a lot of fun, excellent combination. I met Rick through the forum, seeing his post of sage rat shooting, and he was in the same town as me, and had lunch. At the end of a great chat, and sharing stories of rat-o-batics and such he siad. "Doug, you need a 20 Vartarg!" I said, "I do?" and, yes it turned out he was right!

I got one for myself. I figured out how to form my own brass, having more time than money, and liking a challenge, and it's turned out to be a wonderful sage rat shooter! Love it!

I have a 20 Practical, which was my first "wildcat" and so I was comfortable trying this new one in 20 caliber, which is like the magic caliber for varmints and such. I use the 20P for longer range with 40 grain Vmax bullets, and the 20VT with 32 grain. And honestly, the Vartarg is shot a lot more than the 20P now. Like Rick said, miserly on powder and super accurate. Easy to stay on target and verify hits.

20VT N120.jpg

20VT RE7 18 gr.jpg
 
I have a cz527 lux in 223 that I don’t shoot it. I got it for a price I couldn’t refuse. Reading Rick’s post on his rat shoot and the low recoil makes me wonder do I need a 20VT? I have a 20 TAC 204R already but trying to justify the 20VT.
I know you have to turn brass or buy some from members that make it I am not afraid of the “chore”. For some reason I enjoy processing cleaning brass
I was super impressed with pac nor and the barrel they put on my 204R that I would send to them if I go through with it
Over the years of shooting sage rats and prairie dogs, I would usually take about 8 rifles on a trip and about 5 trips a year, give or take. Year after year, I would notice I didn't even take the bigger guns out of the truck. pretty soon, I just stop taking them and I didn't miss them. I have a PD trip coming up and this is what I'm planning on taking. One 20 ackley hornet, One 20 killer bee, Three vartargs, Two 20 tac. One .204 and one 20br. You will notice they are all .20cal. and the one cartridge that I'm taking the most of is the Vartarg. if you build one, it will be like Lays potatoes chips, you will want more, good luck, have fun
 
lots of great information keep it coming. Part of the reason for this build is I am contemplating making a trip up to Oregon hopefully next year. I was talking it over with a friend in San Diego who I have done a Texas pig hunt with him and his dad.
His dad is in his 70s and like a father figure to me. I took him prairie dog hunting here in AZ and while not a lot of action he was like a little kid watching him smiling ear to ear in the 90 degree heat. I let him shoot my tikka 223 and 20 Tac till his hearts content. He was worried about my ammo which I can reload more and some memories I can’t put price on. I have a feeling if this project goes through and he tries it I will be helping him build one lol.
Going to try and get my hands on some dies and tools to make the brass so I can practice on some range brass
 
20VT is a sweetheart. If you want a little more power and a very easy loading then 20-222
I already have a 204R to me the 20VT has been leaking my interest with the low powder charge and accuracy. Plus if I throw a can on it makes me giggle how it would sound. I put the can on my 204 and my friend called it a mouse fart lol.
Haven’t used it in the field see how the p dogs would behave with the can on it but curious
 

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