20 Vartarg on its way

[TheCZKid]

If you have N120, CFE BLK, 10x you might find more success with another powder. You've got a few things early on which might be hindering you, a new barrel which might need a little breaking in, new formed brass, seating depth might need tweaking, and find a powder / load which works well with your barrel. I tried about 5 powders before I found a couple it liked the best. I don't think I tried 8208 in the 20VT, but it works well in my 17 Mach IV.

	Load	SD	SD	FPS	FPS		BTOL		group	size
AA 2200	19.5	26.9		3618				Chuckshooter	0.48
	19.7	33.8		3708					0.34
	19.9	26.8		3662					0.55
	20.1	11.2	14.8	3710	3694	C400	1.465	Craig Saubier	0.27	0.26
	20.2	74.6		3717					0.49
	20.3	23.4		3798					0.69

 

[searcher]

The H-4198 powder can be a bear to find, as can the Reloader 7. Accurate LT32 is seemingly always available, no doubt due, in part, to the high price. But it is really good with this caliber and bullet weight. If you have any-worth a try.

 

[Rick300]

All the powders listed above will work but N120 is magic pixie dust.

 

[chuckshooter]

my 6 vartarg's love 20gr of 2200 with 32gr vmax's and CCI450's. if you are doing any kind of volume shooting, throwing the load is a must. last 5 years, I have averaged 10,000 rounds a year. if I had to measure every load on a scale, wow, the time that would take.

 

[roband]

my 6 vartarg's love 20gr of 2200 with 32gr vmax's and CCI450's. if you are doing any kind of volume shooting, throwing the load is a must. last 5 years, I have averaged 10,000 rounds a year. if I had to measure every load on a scale, wow, the time that would take.

Never tried 2200 in mine, did you crono any at 20 gr.?

 

[tjtjwdad]

How temp stable is 2200?

It has been my experience that ball powders are-not temp stable. They do meter good and if you can keep the ammo loaded with them stable they should do ok for you. Just a FYI, even those that claim to be temp-stable will have some variance.

I see that you mentioned N120. I've never tried that particular powder but I have tried N135, N140 & N540 in my 223's and was real pleased with it but I haven't tried it in either my 221 Fireball or 20VT style cartridges.

Nice looking rig,

 

[chuckshooter]

My loads are actually 20.1 to 20.3 with speeds 3550 to 3731. I was loading 20.8 but have backed off as the brass was not holding up. 3 of my vartarg's are a rimmed version on martini actions and don't do well above 20.3. Squirrels don't seem to care what the temperature is.

 

[L.Sherm]

My loads are actually 20.1 to 20.3 with speeds 3550 to 3731. I was loading 20.8 but have backed off as the brass was not holding up. 3 of my vartarg's are a rimmed version on martini actions and don't do well above 20.3. Squirrels don't seem to care what the temperature is.

Every 20VT ive loaded for(4} have all been in that 20.1-20.4 range with 32-34 grain bullets is were they shoot in that 3700 fps give or take 50fps depending on barrel.
Same thing ive found Chuckshooter you can go higher but brass will suffer only thing different I use is 7.5 primers

 

[ricco1949]

I recently tried 1680 with 32's. Worked well. IRRC I missed a wind change on one shot in the first target.

Haven't proven it PDn yet but that's just around the corner now. I've got about 500 loaded for testing.

I've only shot 40s up till now except for one after noon using borrowed cartridges with 32s.

I'm a little concerned about extra wind drift with the 32s. I rarely shoot the VT past 250 so that should minimize the difference but time will the tale.

 

[fauxhaus]

Great looking build.
I’m gearing up for a similar build for a 221 Fireball.
Howa mini action
Pac-Nor Stainless Super-Match, #5 contour, 3 groove, 12 twist, no fluting, 24” finished threaded.
Plan on shooting 40gr BT or VMax bullets.
Will that barrel be to heavy for the action?

 

[Chris Shelton]

Great looking build.
I’m gearing up for a similar build for a 221 Fireball.
Howa mini action
Pac-Nor Stainless Super-Match, #5 contour, 3 groove, 12 twist, no fluting, 24” finished threaded.
Plan on shooting 40gr BT or VMax bullets.
Will that barrel be to heavy for the action?

I don’t think it will be too heavy. Mine turned out too light in my opinion. Wish I would have went with a #5

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

H4198 will shoot in your 20 Vartarg i have no doubt!

Try a Federal 205 or 205 Match primer!

 

[ricco1949]

Nice job of keeping record targets. They back up you memory as time goes flying by.

Hal

I agree.

I have almost all of my targets in 3 ring binders from 1979 forward for every rifle and revolver I have shot since then. Even have a few of my Dad's targets and all of my son's.

It's an invaluable aid in load development when you need it.