18” Barrel 20 Vartarg Powder

[rickytan]

Been doing a lot of reading and most folks are running 24” and longer barrels. I am building a 18-20” Vartarg and was thinking a faster powder would be best for this length. Would AA2200 or RL7 be my best options for powder considering the barrel length? I plan on using 32 or 40gr vmax and Remington 221 brass.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I shoot a lot of shorter barrels. Every single time the powders that work the best in full length rifle barrels work the best in shorter ones despite what the internet wizards say

 

[rickytan]

The internet wizards tell me that AA2200, RL7, H4198, H322, and N120 all shoot great. Guess I need to just order what I can find then.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Thats probably a better way to look at it in times like these. Powder seems to be showing up more regularly. Saw 2200 at powder valley today

 

[K9TXS]

I was using R7 in my 15" 20VT specialty pistol and it worked very well. When that powder ran out the only powder I could find was 2200. I can't tell the difference in group sizes at all.

 

[527FS]

I’m running Hodgdon’s CFE 300 BLK and 40gr vmaxes out of my 20” CZ 527

 

[rickytan]

What kind of velocity, consistency, and accuracy are you getting?

 

[NorCalMikie]

Short, long, seems to make no difference. Anything that will work in a .223 will work in the VT. I prefer AA 2230. Works for me.
BUT, when i get one kind or powder, I'l work it to death till I can't get anymore out of it.
Lots of folks with a ZILLON different powders sitting on the shelf, half full because they wern't worked till they couldn't be worked anymore.
Someone says "I shot bug holes with XXX powder" and the run is on. All that powder that never REALLY got worked just sits there on the shelf looking pretty. Work it till you can't get anymore out of it before you move on.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

You will be fine with a shorter barrel and any powder that fits in the 20 Vartarg burn rate. Ive had several 20-22 inch barrels on 20 Vartargs over the years. Works great

 

[rickytan]

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I’ll keep an eye out for powders now. All I have on the shelf is 8208 and Varget.

 

[L.Sherm]

You can't go wrong with AA2200, I havent had or saw a 20VT that wont shoot it and well.

 

[rickytan]

Just ordered 8lbs of 2200. Thanks all.

 

[boatammo]

I'm nw to the V/T but my first one really likes CFE BLK.
Having cooper rebarrel a shot out 223 to 20V/T hope it shoots as well as the model 38. I have 2200 but haven't bothered as the CFE shoots so well. It's a p-dog killin son of a gun.

 

[Rick300]

I'm nw to the V/T but my first one really likes CFE BLK.
Having cooper rebarrel a shot out 223 to 20V/T hope it shoots as well as the model 38. I have 2200 but haven't bothered as the CFE shoots so well. It's a p-dog killin son of a gun.

Would you mind sharing your load? I have had pretty good luck with H4198 but I'm always looking out for something better.

 

[527FS]

I’m likewise starting with CFE 300 BLK. Started at 16.5 gr. in reformed LC .556 brass pushing a 40gr vmax. Out of my 18.5” bbl vel was 3160 fps.

 

[527FS]

What kind of velocity, consistency, and accuracy are you getting?

3170 fps with my starting load. I just needed to match 22 hornet velocities with 40gr bullet in a 20 cal. Accuracy with a 4x scope at 200 was just under 1moa. Increasing load density should bring groups down