20 Vartarg Questions

[Codeman]

I have a VT built off a Stiller Predator action. Most of my P-dog rifles are set up for bench shooting- single shots with 3" forarms. The right bolt left port is very important for me to allow for fast follow up shots without raising up from behind the scope. Jewell trigger, krieger barrel and 32gr blitz kings. almost no recoil, doesnt heat up. Great P-dog rifle out to 500 (a little closer if its blowing hard).

 

[Pete Wass]

I have a Cooper I bought this spring from a friend. He said it shoots in the 1's, which it did the first time I shot it. The second time, it was raining lightly; high humidity. That day, the same ammo wouldn't shoot in a proverbial bucket. Does anyone else experience this?

Thanks,

Pete

Really? Nobody has experienced this?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Really? Nobody has experienced this?

Nope, never. My Cooper M38 20VT purty much shoots bugholes every time I take her out. Ask yourself "what is different now? What has changed?"

It's a long shot, but possible.....the rain may have uped the humidity factor so you might have some wood now touching metal (barrel/action) that wasn't there during dryer weather creating different harmonics. Just a thought....... Have you shot it in warm/dry conditons since?

 

[SmokinJoe]

Hey Peter, are you sure you were seeing straight that day? Maybe you were lost in that Maine fog ;D

 

[SS427]

Wow, lots of replies. Appreciate all the info and opinions. I think I might have my Savage sold at a good price, so now I'm leaning toward the Cooper, even if I have to wait. The cost of a new custom rifle along with a reamer, and reloading dies, puts me a little over my budget. The Cooper, while still expensive, leaves money left over for bullets, powder and brass.

I hope Lapua takes notice of all the interest in this little caliber! 700 plus views and 23 replies to this post alone...I expected a few replies at most.

 

[L461]

I had a 20 VT built on a Sako L461.

This action feeds like it was built for it great little action and a good trigger make for a happy me

 

[madderg]

Lapua is making .221 Fireball match brass and will be available in the beginning of the new year!!

 

[Phil]

Lapua is making .221 Fireball match brass and will be available in the beginning of the new year!!

And I will be building a vartarg to take advantage of the new brass. ;D

 

[CatShooter]

Lapua is making .221 Fireball match brass and will be available in the beginning of the new year!!

It is amazing...

... for a case that was declared obsolete many years ago, the 221 Fireball sure has long legs and staying power

 

[SS427]

Lapua just eliminated my only reason for not buying or building a .20 Vartarg! About the time I get the gun ready the brass should be available. This is great news.

Just read Phil's reply below...sounds like a good approach.

 

[Phil]

I`m waiting for the brass so I can spec. a reamer appropriately....

 

[Dvldawg]

I have built a couple 20 VarTarg rifles one was on the Sako L461 w/ Lilja #2 12 twist barrel and the other was my Rem. 700 LVSF in 221FB rebarreled w/ Lilja #5 12 twist finished @ 22". Redding Dies are my choice of dies, (78636) S-Bushing Neck Die, Body Die, and of course a Seater Die..

 

[MFG_BOP]

Just curiosity, guys. Whats the barrel life for the 20VT. Did try some google search but nothing came up. Regards

 

[varmintshooter]

MFG- I can't answer your question as I have not wore one out yet. If you consider that it is the same bore dia as a 204 ruger or a 20 tac but with alot less powder, life should be very good.

 

[JohnHenry]

MFG_BOP, Following link may be of interest. http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/10/spreadsheet-formula-calculates-useful-barrel-life/

 

[roadkill61]

never mind Lapua taking notice. Remington should make a 20 fireball and chamber it in there vssf. With factory cartridges available I doubt they could make enough of them.

 

[pacificman]

never mind Lapua taking notice. Remington should make a 20 fireball and chamber it in there vssf. With factory cartridges available I doubt they could make enough of them.

I agree! I have almost everything ready except waiting on dies (back ordered) and a barrel from Pac-Nor. 17 week or so waiting period. I have been reading and learning everything I can about this cartridge and can not find anything negative about the mighty 20VT. I have even formed some 223 brass into 221 fireball. I love the 221 fireball but sounds like I'll be shooting the 20VT the most when all is done. ;D

 

[tdoyka]

it took me about 5 months to find the dies. midway and midsouth didn't have them, i got the last set of redding dies.
32gr varmagdon with a charge of h4198 leaves a .2" at 100yds. next i'll try midsouth's 34gr bullet.

 

[232]

Where is the Lapua gold?

 

[Goatsnguns]

As of yesterday Todd Kindler at the Woodchuck Den had Redding type S match 20 VT dies in stock.

Gary