Hello, I have been researching this topic and have read some similar threads already, but wanted to get fresh opinions with a more current perspective. Many of these threads are older and I believe perhaps outdated based on the current state of component availability.
First, I will describe my use case. I do not have varmints to hunt, so this would be for target use only. My preferred yardage would be 200 yards. I do not compete, so this would be for pleasure only, but accuracy is paramount and I would be shooting score targets.
I do not like recoil or noise, so I am looking for the least amount of both possible. For comparison, I primarily shoot Rimfire benchrest, and that is the amount of recoil and noise I like (nearly none.) I am not competing nor walking around hunting, I can use a heavier rifle to help minimize recoil even with these small cases. For the noise, I am seriously considering getting my first suppressor to use for this rifle. I have never owned one for several reasons, but it seems some of the hoops to jump through have gotten a bit more manageable. I also know that over the past several years our local environmental conditions have changed, and we now shoot in the wind nearly year round.
I don’t know what action I would use, but a Savage seems likely, mainly due to availability and the ability to buy pre-fit barrels. I do not mind a single shot, or at least single loading in a repeater. I would love a target stock with a 3” forend, but they seem much more available for Remington actions.
So, I am intrigued by the .20 VarTarg for my uses, as it seems to be inherently very accurate and very low on recoil. I do consider cases to be a potential issue. I do not want to make them myself, so would be at the mercy of others by having to buy them pre-made. The next point which has me leaning away from the VarTarg is bullet availability. It seems you can get Varmint bullets (V-Max and possibly Sierra Blitzkings, but no real target bullets.) I know Bergers might exist in theory, but it seems they are unobtainum. Dies for .20 VarTarg are very expensive. Barrels seem to be fairly easy to acquire, even though it’s a wildcat. Other .20 caliber issues like finding suitable note guides could also be a factor.
The .221 Fireball is intriguing because of greater availability of brass and bullets. I consider Lapua to be perhaps permanently unavailable, but at least Nosler seems to be available. There are similar varmint bullets like 40 and 50 grain V-Maxes, but would also have easy access to match grade 52 and 53 grain bullets. Dies seem less expensive, and the other components should be similar. Barrels actually seem less common, unfortunately, even though this is a “factory” round.
So which should I go for, .20 VarTarg or .221 Fireball? Any opinions and advice are welcomed. And then once I figure that out, I can start looking at all of the parts I need to actually start building this rifle.
First, I will describe my use case. I do not have varmints to hunt, so this would be for target use only. My preferred yardage would be 200 yards. I do not compete, so this would be for pleasure only, but accuracy is paramount and I would be shooting score targets.
I do not like recoil or noise, so I am looking for the least amount of both possible. For comparison, I primarily shoot Rimfire benchrest, and that is the amount of recoil and noise I like (nearly none.) I am not competing nor walking around hunting, I can use a heavier rifle to help minimize recoil even with these small cases. For the noise, I am seriously considering getting my first suppressor to use for this rifle. I have never owned one for several reasons, but it seems some of the hoops to jump through have gotten a bit more manageable. I also know that over the past several years our local environmental conditions have changed, and we now shoot in the wind nearly year round.
I don’t know what action I would use, but a Savage seems likely, mainly due to availability and the ability to buy pre-fit barrels. I do not mind a single shot, or at least single loading in a repeater. I would love a target stock with a 3” forend, but they seem much more available for Remington actions.
So, I am intrigued by the .20 VarTarg for my uses, as it seems to be inherently very accurate and very low on recoil. I do consider cases to be a potential issue. I do not want to make them myself, so would be at the mercy of others by having to buy them pre-made. The next point which has me leaning away from the VarTarg is bullet availability. It seems you can get Varmint bullets (V-Max and possibly Sierra Blitzkings, but no real target bullets.) I know Bergers might exist in theory, but it seems they are unobtainum. Dies for .20 VarTarg are very expensive. Barrels seem to be fairly easy to acquire, even though it’s a wildcat. Other .20 caliber issues like finding suitable note guides could also be a factor.
The .221 Fireball is intriguing because of greater availability of brass and bullets. I consider Lapua to be perhaps permanently unavailable, but at least Nosler seems to be available. There are similar varmint bullets like 40 and 50 grain V-Maxes, but would also have easy access to match grade 52 and 53 grain bullets. Dies seem less expensive, and the other components should be similar. Barrels actually seem less common, unfortunately, even though this is a “factory” round.
So which should I go for, .20 VarTarg or .221 Fireball? Any opinions and advice are welcomed. And then once I figure that out, I can start looking at all of the parts I need to actually start building this rifle.
