.20 Vartarg Advice

[waterfwlr]

Decided on the Vartarg as my next build. Did some research on here and it seems RL7 and H4198 as the go to powders. Looking to load 32-35 gr bullets. Which powder would give the best performance? Also, what is the optimal barrel length, velocity wise?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pacificman]

The powders you have mentioned are probably what most 20VT guys use but Phil and ab-bentley and probably some others have had good results with AA2200 also. I think most shooters seem to say a 24 inch barrel is more than efficient for the 20VT. I went with 26 inch barrel as I see possible barrel set back in the future. With as little powder needed for this round I don't think there would be a great advantage for the extra 2 inch in barrel length.
H4198 gave me a bit more velocity over RL7 using the exact amount of grains in my rifle. The 20VT has been one of the most consistent and accurate rounds I have experienced...you are gonna love it man!
I hear the sage rats have been out and about with all this warm weather lately...you better hurry with your build! ;D

 

[varmintshooter]

I have 3 and all are 24" and with 39 gr bullets and H4198 I am getting 3500. With 32's I am getting 3800. Unlike most guys here I prefer the 39 or 40 grain bullets when shooting groundhogs. Best group was with 35 bergers but I don't care for then for hunting. jmo

 

[tdoyka]

h4198 and 32gr varmageddon does the trick. i usually hunt groundhogs, so the barrel should be 22-23". mine is a tc encore with a 16 1/4" mgm heavy factory barrel, but if i had to do it all again, it would be a 23" mgm heavy factory barrel.

 

[waterfwlr]

Thanks gentleman. This will be my short range prairie dog gun. 32 grainers at 3800 should do the trick. Now I just have to find some H4198. Any of you guys running cci 400's? I know a lot of guys have good luck with the Rem 7 1/2 but I have a several thousand cci's I hope will work well.

 

[th82457]

Mine is a re-barreled CZ with a 22.5" tube. Have had excellent results with 32 to 35 gr. bullets with RL7 & H322. Have some AA2200 that I am going to try soon. To date most consistently accurate is 32 V Max with 18.5 RL7. A long barrel is not required due to the small powder charge.

 

[Teepee]

I use cci400 primers in mine using adi2207 here in aus.
I seem to get very consistent loads with 18.0grns with the 32vmax/zmax
I'm running a 1/10 shilen around 23" and according to the chrono I'm getting around 3750fps with that load.
I have tried 8208 but while they are very accurate, doesn't seem to have the velocity of the 2207.
You guys talk about AA2200 - I don't think we can get that over here but would like to try it if we ever do.

 

[varmintshooter]

I was using CCI400's but I pierced a couple so I switched to rem 7.5's. Those that did pierce were with 39 grainers, I have not had a problem with the 32's. I was @ 18 gr H4198 and 39 gr blitz king's when I pierced the 400's. Hope this helps.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

the 20 vartarg is amazing. rl-7, h4198, rl-10x, vith n-130 have all showed very good accuracy in several guns. you only need a 21 to 23 inch barrel.

 

[Phil]

It`s true.........AA2200 is the powder i use.

Mine is flying, but it is also built on a benchrest action and is a 40* improved version.

You almost see them splode before you hear the crack... ;D

Give AA2200 a whirl when you get your rifle, it may be the ticket, then again Rl 7 and H4198 are no slouch in the 20VT either.

Have fun,

Phil.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

I used a 25" Pacnor 3 groove 1-11" twist barrel on my rifle. Although mine is the improved version just like Phil noted above on his. The improved version is called a 20 SCC and i use AA2200 powder in mine. I typically see 4,000 fps with my fireform loads and 32 grain bullets. Formed brass with a 32 grain bullet will produce 4,100 + fps for me safely with great case life. While the 20SCC is alot of fun to shoot its really best when used as a single shot off a bench for pdogs/ground squirrels. If someone is looking for a repeater the 20 VT is the best option.

 

[DogBuster]

H322 in my VT........40 V's

Wonderful cartridge...now especially with Lapua brass

 

[Dvldawg]

I am shooting a 24" Lilja Barrrel 12 twist 3-groove, 32 gr V-Max, IMR 8208XBR powder and a Fed. 205M