20 Vartag

[wmdron]

I need some guidance on what dies to buy for .20 vartag. I plan on forming the brass from Lapua .221 fireball. Thanks.

 

[L.Sherm]

Try to get a FL bushing die (Redding, Wilson) then you can match neck dia. and brass to whatever the neck dia. of your chamber is.

 

[BaconFat]

I'll also suggest buying a box of 25 Norma 221 FB cases to practice with. You might go through all 25 cases without any problems, but you could mess up one or two Lapua cases and be kicking youself. Cheap insurance.

 

[SS427]

Redding Type S FL sizing die and a Wilson seating die. That will give you the best ammo short of paying for custom dies.

 

[3Ackleys]

I just finished running 300 Lapua 221 fireballs through a Hornady 20 vt size die with zero problems. Powder Valley has the brass for $60.87/hund. which is cheaper than any Norma I could find

 

[wmdron]

Thanks for all the good info folks... much appreciated, I ordered brass from powder valley and some 32gn vmax's, Redding FL type S sizer and Wilson seater plus .226, .227, .228 bushings.If there's anything else I need to know I'd appreciate a heads up. Thanks again, Ron

 

[L.Sherm]

If you plan on running an expander may want to consider a carbide one, little easier on the necks.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I would agree with what otter said + IMO it would be best to get an inexpensive set of Hornady dies so you can use the FLS for initial forming, then use the bushing die & Wilson seater after that. Also, if you use Lapua brass, my experience was that it required turning for proper fit in the neck, but that depends on your particular chamber, mine are .232/.233 dia. necks. You will love this little round once you get it going.

 

[wmdron]

Thanks for the tips and info folks, I would imagine the rifle I am buying has the standard .232 chamber but I'll check with the dealer when I pick it up. So it does look like I will have to turn the necks on the Lapua brass, ordered the titanium nitride expander and mandrel for my neck turner today from 21st century.

 

[toothman]

My .221 Lapua brass loaded with 32 GR V-Max measures .233+ unturned. So, the old standard for unturned chamber of .232 has definitely changed with the new Lapua brass.

 

[wmdron]

My Lapua .221 fireball Brass arrived today I am getting .0130" as a neck wall thickness , will the case walls thicken when I form .20 Vartag ? my rifle's manufacturer says my neck chamber is .233". So .0130 x 2 = .026+.204=.230. I might have a no turn, what does everyone think ? Still waiting on dies. Thanks, Ron...

 

[SmokinJoe]

I would still recommend that you make up a few & measure the neck OD with bullets seated to know for sure.

 

[Phil]

Joe`s advice is solid, never assume yours is like theirs.

It could be an exact copy, but it`s nice to know for sure.....

I have seen reamers with dimensions that differed from the requested dimensions, check, check, and re- check.

Phil.

 

[CatShooter]

My Lapua .221 fireball Brass arrived today I am getting .0130" as a neck wall thickness , will the case walls thicken when I form .20 Vartag ? my rifle's manufacturer says my neck chamber is .233". So .0130 x 2 = .026+.204=.230. I might have a no turn, what does everyone think ? Still waiting on dies. Thanks, Ron...

You will have a no turn - the necks might gain 1/4 of a thou, but you will be OK.

 

[wmdron]

1/4 of a thousandth sounds good, I'll make a dummy round first. I appreciate all the input thanks again, Ron...

 

[SS427]

I turned my Lapua and Norma brass down to .0125 and I have a .232 chamber. With a .233 chamber I would say you are close to perfect with minimal clearance. BTW - when I turned the necks of both brands it was very uniform to begin with so I don't think you give up anything by not turning.

 

[wmdron]

I turned my Lapua and Norma brass down to .0125 and I have a .232 chamber. With a .233 chamber I would say you are close to perfect with minimal clearance. BTW - when I turned the necks of both brands it was very uniform to begin with so I don't think you give up anything by not turning.

Thanks that is good to know.

 

[wmdron]

Well, My hopes of a no turn were dashed this morning, lapua brass is measuring .233 right out of the die.

 

[Rocksniper]

Thanks to wmdron for starting this post!
I'd like to know which dies work the best also.

My experience with a Hornady FL sizer is that it works great on Remington brass but on the 221 Lapua it was leaving a small ring near the base just above the extractor groove. I called Hornady and they told me their die at the base I.D. is .372.
My lapua brass is measuring about .3735

 

[wmdron]

Rock I can tell you my experiences but I am a newbie myself. I am using Redding type S FL die with a .228" bushing which might be too much neck tension I will be ordering .229" and .230" bushings to experiment with. My neck chamber according to the manufacturer of my rifle is .233". I wound up with .233" neck dia. right out of the die and so I turned my necks back to .230" which involved just taking .0015" off. Loaded up some rounds and they chambered fine. I really don't see any rings near the base of my Lapua brass after using the Redding die. I am leaning toward springing for a Whidden FL die but they require a couple of fired cases to custom make the die so I bought the Redding to get going on this caliber. I am really itching to fire this thing but I refuse to do anything until my Lucas bore guide gets here, sure is a pretty safe queen LOL !!!!