20 Vartarg, 20 Practical, 20 Tactical, or ???

[B23]

Going to go with the Practical it sounds like. Now on the hunt for a prefit in stock.

Something crazy in me kind of wants to go with a carbon wrapped barrel..... I hate the voices in my head sometimes.

Unless you are just wanting a certain "look" save your money because a CF wrapped barrel offers nothing except appearance.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

Oh I know. Just think it does look rather nice

 

[Oso]

Going to go with the Practical it sounds like. Now on the hunt for a prefit in stock.

Something crazy in me kind of wants to go with a carbon wrapped barrel..... I hate the voices in my head sometimes.

If carbon wrapped barrel is of interest then you want to seriously look at Bartlein. They introduced their carbon wrapped barrel recently (can't remember either 2019 or 2020). Supposedly the barrel has same accuracy as their standard metal barrels, which would be a dramatic improvement over other carbon wrapped barrels that perform no better than a factory barrel. If I'm dropping $850 on a barrel blank then it better shoot.

I have no experience with their carbon wrapped barrels, only their steel barrels, but I have kept this tidbit in mind for potential use on a future build. Buy one and give us a performance report!!!

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I've had a few Bartleins.... agree they are superb.

If i find a prefit in stock i'll likely just go that route... if i have to order and wait i might go carbon.

 

[B23]

Bartlein is definitely one of the top tier premium barrel companies and they have gotten in to the CF wrapped market but I think the only reason they have is because there is a market for them not because wrapping them in CF does anything to make them any kind of better barrel.

I have to admit, I'm part of that market that just likes how they look and I'm willing to pay extra for them strictly because of aesthetics, not because I think CF wrapped barrels do anything better except look good to those of us that like how they look.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

So for the 20 Practical..... is there a need to get dies specific to that round? Are they available? or modify 223 dies the best route ?

 

[457ciSBC]

So for the 20 Practical..... is there a need to get dies specific to that round? Are they available? or modify 223 dies the best route ?

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/need-20-practical-die-advice.1022025/

My process is slightly more involved as I have a to use a small base body die because my chamber was cut with an undersized PTG reamer. I also use a form bushing die to take the 223 neck down to either .226 or .233 ish. I use a Hornady .20 universal seater die for seating.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

Found this - good read. https://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

 

[Oso]

Bartlein is definitely one of the top tier premium barrel companies and they have gotten in to the CF wrapped market but I think the only reason they have is because there is a market for them not because wrapping them in CF does anything to make them any kind of better barrel.

I have to admit, I'm part of that market that just likes how they look and I'm willing to pay extra for them strictly because of aesthetics, not because I think CF wrapped barrels do anything better except look good to those of us that like how they look.

For me, carbon wrapped barrels are in same camp as fluted barrels... they look nice and some look gaudy. None of it interests me unless they also perform. My expectation of any custom barrel blank is it better shoot 1/2" or better (with reloads) or else why bother.

The idea of a light weight action, Sako L461 or even Borden, coupled with an accurate carbon wrapped barrel that has the feel of a light sporter but also has performance potential of full-size rifle (higher shot string count and no POI with suppressor) gets my attention. Just as easy to carry in the field or take to the range. That would quickly become my favorite small caliber rifle!

 

[B23]

So for the 20 Practical..... is there a need to get dies specific to that round? Are they available? or modify 223 dies the best route ?

It's a straight neck down with no shoulder change a bushing type 223 sizing die is all you need and just about any 223 seating die will work as well.

I have a 20-222, 20-250, 6-284, and 6 Creedmore I use Redding type S bushing die sets with the seating die they come with in 222, 22-250, 6.5-284 and 6.5 Creedmoor for the necked down versions all I do is swap to the appropriate bushing size. It's one of the reasons I really like straight neckdown wildcat cartridges they're just so easy.

 

[Tommie]

Going to go with the Practical it sounds like. Now on the hunt for a prefit in stock.

Something crazy in me kind of wants to go with a carbon wrapped barrel..... I hate the voices in my head sometimes.

If carry weight is the highest priority, the carbon wrap barrel will be nice. For controlling muzzle flip and spotting impacts the nod goes to the added weight of a traditional heavy steel barrel. Totally depends on your intended use.

 

[jepp2]

So for the 20 Practical..... is there a need to get dies specific to that round?

Most folks just use a bushing die with a different expander. There are specific 20P die sets available. You choice really which way you go.

 

[hogpatrol]

On 20 P #4, AR, two bolts and XP100. Cheap, easy and not much difference in the TAC performance window.

 

[chop house]

When my Savage 223 barrel needs replacing, it will be a 20p prefit.

mine didn't even need a rebarrel, and still became a 20p. hahaha

11, 3 groove

 

[SVT_Tactical]

the "want" for a carbon barrel is strictly the look. I know its not a performance gain other than saving weight. I have several ARs with carbon barrels i built when i was chasing the unicorn that is a 5# AR that still shot acceptable to me with a suppressor.... finally gave up and went with a SBR with a regular barrel and suppressor to get weight where i wanted and still perform the way i wanted on paper.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

What twist do you guys recommend for the 20P.... found 12 twist in stock. 10 twist are about a month out. My instinct has always been to go with the "faster" twist, in this case 10. but don't want to "over spin" the bullet if issues arise doing that in the .20 game.

this gun will be used mainly on paper but with the occasional trip to hunt small varmints if opportunity arrived.

 

[hogpatrol]

What twist do you guys recommend for the 20P.... found 12 twist in stock. 10 twist are about a month out. My instinct has always been to go with the "faster" twist, in this case 10. but don't want to "over spin" the bullet if issues arise doing that in the .20 game.

this gun will be used mainly on paper but with the occasional trip to hunt small varmints if opportunity arrived.

Ten or eleven. Nothing proved but the tens may be better with the 40s. Definitely wouldn't do a 20 P in a twelve twist.

 

[Oso]

Communal Wisdom on 20cal cartridges...
If you plan to shoot 30gr class of bullets then 1:11.
If you plan to shoot 40gr class of bullets then 1:10.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

seems like 10s the way to go.

 

[hogpatrol]

For paper and varmints, order up some of Randy's BIB 40 gr boattails. Couple thousand rounds out of my 20Ps, just about every factory bullet shot and nothing has beat the BIBs for consistent accuracy.