20 Vartarg freebore

[shaun1826]

I’m conflicted on what freebore to spec for my reamer. I’ve spent hours trying to figure this one out.

I plan to shoot bullets in the 32-40 grain. Probably 32 vmax and/or 40 vmax.

I know if I was only 100% going to shoot 32 grain, Zero Freebore would be the way to go. However if I shoot 40 vmax, the zero freebore is going to seat a little deep even if loaded to touch the lands. Likewise I know if I was going to shoot only the 40 vmax, 0.050 freebore would be the way to go.

So, has anyone found a happy medium (is it practical to be able to shoot both bullets with the same freebore)? I was thinking something in the range of 0.015 to 0.035 would still give enough neck length for the 32’s but also not have the 40’s set to deep.

Best,
Shaun

 

[B23]

Just a thought but make up a dummer round with a 32gr Vmax seated out to the very longest you'd ever want to seat one then have it throated accordingly based off that.

I think you're letting yourself get a little to far in to the weeds and you're overthinking this freebore thing to much. 15 - 20 thou FB isn't going to make or break you either way and if you're that concerned about it start with less and you can always add more as well as just shooting it, over time, the FB will increase.

Even shooting the 40's, with zero FB, it's not like there's going to be any significant velocity difference. Not that you can't shoot 40's in a 20-221FB or 20VT but, IMO, the smaller cases like that are better suited for the lighter 32-35gr bullets. If you want to primarily shoot the 39BK's or 40's then step up to a 20-222 or 20-223.

 

[L.Sherm]

If you want to primarily shoot the 39BK's or 40's then step up to a 20-222 or 20-223.

If nothing else its a damn good reason to build another rifle.

 

[DogBuster]

My most recent retired high mileage Vartarg COAL with 32's was 1.88"

12 twist & ran 40's as good as 32's

 

[NorCalMikie]

I think you're letting yourself get a little to far in to the weeds and you're overthinking this freebore thing to much.

ZERO Freebore. Nuf said.

 

[nvtoy]

 

[chuckshooter]

ZERO Freebore. Nuf said.

I load for seven vartarg's. What he said.^^^

 

[JSH]

I went with zero on mine.
It only sees 32-34 grain bullets.
If I am going to shoot 39-40+ grain bullets I switch case size and reach for more FPS with out crowding pressures.
Am sure that will bring comments from some that they get the same speeds with less powder with “no pressure” signs.
I am somewhat of a speed freak, accuracy still trumps speed.

 

[NorCalMikie]

All my loads (except my gas guns) are .010 INTO the lands. I have pulled a few bullets unloading a live round but I knew what to expect.
It's all a game we're playing so do what YOU think works best for YOU.
Into the lands will let you get past a pressure point that you wouldn't even consider loading off the lands. More so on BR rounds.
Pressure shows up at one point. That SAME load, loaded into the lands will let you creep up a bit more with no issues. It's what works best for you!!

 

[Knifeman]

ZERO Freebore. It comes fast enough!!

 

[SD guy]

Asking for personal reasons, What would be a down side to .050" freebore?

 

[Gabe22BR]

Bullets fall out of case to find the lands???

 

[L.Sherm]

Zero freebore unless you want to shoot the 55's.
.015 is enough for the 55's in a 20BRA

 

[chuckshooter]

A vartarg is in it's happy place shooting 32vmax. I know some will disagree.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Every opinion on here is just that, an opinion. What works for me or another person may not work for you. It's up to you to find out what works best for YOU. And you'll never know till you try it for yourself.
A "short throat free bore" can be changed to a longer free bore with a throat reamer but a longer free bore can't be made shorter.
You find a happy spot with your OAL, you're shooting bug holes, the throat wears and you can't find that happy spot anymore???
I found that out with an off the shelf 6BR barrel with a long throat. Bullets falling out of the case neck trying to get close to the lands,
Sold that one to someone that wanted to shoot heavies and got a ZERO free bore chamber so I could shoot lighter bullets.
Go to heavier bullets as the throat wears and still am able to reach the lands.

 

[searcher]

My most recent retired high mileage Vartarg COAL with 32's was 1.88"

12 twist & ran 40's as good as 32's

Curious, How many rounds did you put on that barrel before retiring? I'm thinking of also building a rifle for the VT to add barrel mileage to my "short-to-mid range" squirrel adventures, using the 32's. I know I can get well over 6,500 rounds on a Hart 1-12" .20 Practical and still be well within 1/2" MOA. My guess is the VT goes way beyond that?

 

[DogBuster]

Original chamber was 204R......sent it back to P-N to chamber to VT

Ran a total of 15 yrs...an estimate of 9K rds....minimum

Sold the barrel here IIRC