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20 cal accuracy

All,

What would you consider a accurate 20 cal varminter, let's say the average of 100 5 shot groups? I'm just curious how other people define an accurate rifle. For me a hunting rifle must be capable of averaging <1", a heavy barreled varminter <.5", and a competition short range benchrest gun <.2" with me shooting it. That seems to define my abilities and what I consider accurate.

Ryan
 
I have two 20 TACs, one a PacNor and one Shilen. The PacNor shoots 40 Vmax easily into 1 and 2's when I do my part. The Shilen is not quite as good but still in the 1/4". I will never be without a 20 TAC. Certainly, I have my days when these small groups do not happen, but it is my fault.
 
I have had several 20,s at least 3 204 Rugers, a 20 AI HORNET, 3 20 VARTARGS, all were very accurate, the custom rifles were on Lilja barrels. Give some thought to twist rate most over the counter rifles use a 1-12 twist, which is ok with 32 gr. bullets. But... can be a problem with the 39&40 gr. bullets. For some reason one rifle will stabilize the 39&40 gr bullets and one next to it won't. So you might want to look into maybe a 1-10 twist? GOOD LUCK. If you want more info than you can digest in a week go to the SAUBIER site.
 
I shoot a lot of 20 cals anymore & my expectations are under .3 these days. My rifles use factory Dakota , PacNor, X-Caliber, Lilja and Mullerworks barrels, and they all stay in the .2 - .3 range with great performance. Best bang for the buck is X-Caliber right now.
 
Everyone, thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm fighting with a 20 Vartarg and want to verify my expectations were not unreasonable. According to the postings so far <.5" groups at 100 is not a unreasonable expectation.

Ryan
 
I have a 20tac cooper that I got 10years ago and it is still the most accurate rifle I own day in and day out. if not a heavy wind nothing is safe out to 400yds. coyotes just hate this gun!!
 
My factory VSSF II 204 has never shot worse than an 1" with factory ammo. Handloads has never been worse than .85 with .5 very common. I would call it a .75" gun. Trigger work is all it has done. 26" barrell HS stock.
 
My factory VSSF II 204 has never shot worse than an 1" with factory ammo. Handloads has never been worse than .85 with .5 very common. I would call it a .75" gun. Trigger work is all it has done. 26" barrell HS stock.

I have a Remington VSSF II in 204 Ruger as well. Had the action true up, lapped bolt lugs, polished the chamber, installed 40X trigger and set to 8 oz, then reinstaled the factory SS 26" fluted barrel.

It consistently shoots 1/2" or less groups at 200 yards with 39gr Sierra BKs in good weather conditions with no crosswind from a bench rest type setup. Will do that with 3 different powders as well. Technically no longer an "out of the box" rifle any more, but still very impressive for a factory barrel.
 
Everyone, thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm fighting with a 20 Vartarg and want to verify my expectations were not unreasonable. According to the postings so far <.5" groups at 100 is not a unreasonable expectation.

Ryan

These are the first 30 shots out of my Bob Green built .20 VarTarg with a Rock Creek 1:12.

8a4974c6.jpg


Remington 221 FB Brass, FL sized to 20VT, Remington 7 1/2 Primers.

Large Target - 5 shots to sight in using 32gr V-Max and 18.4gr of H4198 (.758 - .204 = .554)

Top Left - 5 shots 32gr V-Max and 18.0gr of H4198 (.715 - .204 = .511)
Left Middle - 5 shots 32gr V-Max and 18.2gr of H4198 (.526 - .204 = .322)
(For some reason, it looks like only 3 shots hit the paper. Can't explain that one.)
Bottom Left Corner - 5 shots 32gr V-Max and 18.4gr of H4198 (.505 - .204 = .301)
Bottom Center - 5 shots 32gr V-Max and 18.6gr of H4198 (.804 - .204 = .600)
Bottom Right - 5 shots 32gr V-Max and 18.8gr of H4198 (.931 - .204 = .727)

Average group size = .503
Hits just a hair over 3600fps.


Note: These are MY loads in MY gun so please, don't duplicate them.
 
Havent tried 39s yet although i have a box. Been using 35gr flat base berger HP. Im using varget at 27.8gr IIRC.
 
accurate rifles are only as good as the trigger squeezer can be. as far as a consistant 1/4" moa rifle it be hard to beat. as far as some shooters a rifle wont shoot sub .1 groups then it's a bum. accuracy is a relevant thing all depends on what the trigger squeezer wants.
a 20 vartarg and a 204 ruger shooting in the .2's is plenty good for me
 

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