20 Vartarg

[Barossa_222]

Took my vartarg out last night chasing foxes and the like and it is fast becoming my favourite gun. Built on a Sako L461 varmint with a 24" pacnor 3 groove, maddco trigger and Meopta 7x56 scope, it is just about perfect. Was having a world of trouble with it when I first got it, with a 26" tube it wouldn't kill regardless of load and bullet. Unless head shot, small game would quite often take off even with good chest shots. I docked the barrel back to 24" the same time my trigger arrived to be fitted and it turned into a completely different rifle. Currently I'm running 16.5gr of AR2207 with a 32gr Sierra Blitzking/Hornady Vmax/Nosler Varmageddon with Lapua cases and CCI BR4 primers. All of the bullets print same point of impact and lovely round 1/2 minute groups. From what I can garner most people are running as much as 2 grains more powder, but appear to be using Remington cases. The Lapua 221FB cases I sized and fire-formed were compressing charges 17gr and above. Very happy with the results of the cartridge so far. Thoroughly recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a 20 cal. Paired with the Sako L461/A1 or CZ 527 they are simply magic.

 

[ratbuster]

I've shot many thousands of rounds down my Vartargs using Lapua Fireball brass, 18.3 grains of H4198, 32 grain Vmax. 3735 fps and very accurate. Love the Vartarg.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I've shot many thousands of rounds down my Vartargs using Lapua Fireball brass, 18.3 grains of H4198, 32 grain Vmax. 3735 fps and very accurate. Love the Vartarg.

I will try your load tomorrow with H4198. So far my new VT has only had Accurate 2200 up to 21 grains and that was 3550 fps mark. I will build that load up higher also hoping to get into the 3700-3800 range. I've got the Lapua brass and Rem 7 & 1/2 primers.

 

[ratbuster]

I will try your load tomorrow with H4198. So far my new VT has only had Accurate 2200 up to 21 grains and that was 3550 fps mark. I will build that load up higher also hoping to get into the 3700-3800 range. I've got the Lapua brass and Rem 7 & 1/2 primers.

I suggest loading one shell at 17 grains, the second at 17.2 grains, etc. on up. Shoott a ladder at the farthest distance you can find, (300 yds min.) carefully watching for pressure signs. This method should find your best node and max load.

 

[ratbuster]

Something just occurred to me .....what is your freebore? A very common VT reamer design originating from Todd Kindler has a .050 freebore. If your reamer has zero freebore your powder capacity will be reduced.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Something just occurred to me .....what is your freebore? A very common VT reamer design originating from Todd Kindler has a .050 freebore. If your reamer has zero freebore your powder capacity will be reduced.

I forgot to ask the gunsmith what the freebore is. But, today, I loaded with RL7 and found a great load at 18.75gr. I've been loading Lapua .221 Fireball brass and all the new ones need is a neck sizing. I have some 142 Nozler brass and want to use that also, loading up for prairie dogs, but it required full sizing on the Redding Vartarg dies before I could get it into the gun. Neck sizing does not do it. Has anyone else found that out?

 

[michaeljp65]

I forgot to ask the gunsmith what the freebore is. But, today, I loaded with RL7 and found a great load at 18.75gr. I've been loading Lapua .221 Fireball brass and all the new ones need is a neck sizing. I have some 142 Nozler brass and want to use that also, loading up for prairie dogs, but it required full sizing on the Redding Vartarg dies before I could get it into the gun. Neck sizing does not do it. Has anyone else found that out?

neck sizing only causes a bulge just ahead of the neck/shoulder junction, so that will stop it from chambering.

 

[KenOath]

Took my vartarg out last night chasing foxes and the like and it is fast becoming my favourite gun. Built on a Sako L461 varmint with a 24" pacnor 3 groove, maddco trigger and Meopta 7x56 scope, it is just about perfect. Was having a world of trouble with it when I first got it, with a 26" tube it wouldn't kill regardless of load and bullet. Unless head shot, small game would quite often take off even with good chest shots. I docked the barrel back to 24" the same time my trigger arrived to be fitted and it turned into a completely different rifle. Currently I'm running 16.5gr of AR2207 with a 32gr Sierra Blitzking/Hornady Vmax/Nosler Varmageddon with Lapua cases and CCI BR4 primers. All of the bullets print same point of impact and lovely round 1/2 minute groups. From what I can garner most people are running as much as 2 grains more powder, but appear to be using Remington cases. The Lapua 221FB cases I sized and fire-formed were compressing charges 17gr and above. Very happy with the results of the cartridge so far. Thoroughly recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a 20 cal. Paired with the Sako L461/A1 or CZ 527 they are simply magic.

Just curious why it wouldn’t kill with a 26” tube even with solid chest shots?

 

[Mark W]

Just curious why it wouldn’t kill with a 26” tube even with solid chest shots?

Yea, was wondering the same. Lopping off two inches and changing triggers turned it into a killing machine?

 

[Tommie]

Count me as a member of the “Why did bobbing 2 inches transform the ballistics” club.

Details please!

 

[snert]

Maybe a new crown explains better accuracy

 

[Tommie]

Maybe a new crown explains better accuracy

Certainly possible but I’m stumped on how the length change drastically improved terminal ballistics.

 

[walker2713]

50 fps or so per inch at the muzzle.....that's it.

Accuracy? I don't believe it or would need to hear a mighty good explanation.

Maybe I should get my saw out...improve my numbers at the next 600 yard benchrest match.

 

[KenOath]

50 fps or so per inch at the muzzle.....that's it.

Accuracy? I don't believe it or would need to hear a mighty good explanation.

Maybe I should get my saw out...improve my numbers at the next 600 yard benchrest match.

I’d think 100fps less speed from lopping 2 inches of barrel is a stretch at best..

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Oops, should be in reloading

 

[Barossa_222]

Just curious why it wouldn’t kill with a 26” tube even with solid chest shots?

Couldn't tell you. The bullets weren't performing satisfactorily at all. I wouldn't have thought 2 inches would have made a difference, but it is chalk and cheese. I originally thought maybe the load was too light and the barrel too long. I haven't put it over a chrony though and have done very little testing. I have witnesses to the before and after. Like I said, if I'd bothered to put more time into it previously, I'd probably have a better understanding of what has improved.

 

[KenOath]

Couldn't tell you. The bullets weren't performing satisfactorily at all. I wouldn't have thought 2 inches would have made a difference, but it is chalk and cheese. I originally thought maybe the load was too light and the barrel too long. I haven't put it over a chrony though and have done very little testing. I have witnesses to the before and after. Like I said, if I'd bothered to put more time into it previously, I'd probably have a better understanding of what has improved.

Just seemed a little odd to me, a solid chest shot is a solid chest shot regardless of whether bullet came out of a 24 or 26” barrel. One would think that the bullet coming from a 26” barrel would be travelling marginally faster therefore theoritcally should kill with a chest shot marginally better or just as effectively as a bullet from a 24” barrel.
I can see a shorter barrel and new trigger improving accuracy therefor possibly making it a more effecient killing rifle because you are hitting intended targets more frequently..
Anyhow it’s going good for you now, enjoy.

Cheers Rushty

 

[Barossa_222]

The accuracy remained the same before and after. Half minute groups before and after using a 8X56 Kahles. This post wasn't asking for help, just giving the calibre and rifle a thumbs up.