20VT primer and brass choices

[Kevin1990]

Been talking to some very informed members on here about brass and primer choices for the 20Vartarg, but just curious about everyone's experience?

I have 16 pounds of N120, and I'm curious what brass and primer choices you all are using? Im considering using some bib 40grs, Berger 35gr or maybe some 32blitzkings. Looking at older threads it seems a lot were using rem 7 1/2 primers and LC brass.


Thanks fellas

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I'm new and even newer to the 20VT. I was convinced early on that the 20VT is the way to go in the rat patch. I also decided on a 20P along with a 17FB and 223. Both 20's are in early stages of being built. But, if you're wanting your brass 100% ready to go, the below link is your guy. He did up 1k 17FB, 1K 20VT and will be doing 1k 20P for me. I choose to use new Starline brass and plan to use the Rem 7.5 primers.

SELLING Thread '20 Vartarg Brass - Matching Lake City Brass, 1500 available'

Mar 12, 2025

Offering 20 Vartarg caliber brass, ready to load.

1500 of Lake City brass, with .0120" - .0125" neck wall, good for all chambers.
$110 for 100, shipped priority, extra 100's added for $100 and low combined shipping cost.

Have 900 that are matching 2015 year and 100 in 2016, and 500 of 1997, your choice.
All these are basically the same in weight. Primer pockets swaged with Dillon Super-Swager, formed with Redding dies, trimmed, chamfered & deburred necks. Necks are turned to .0125" with K&M by hand, annealed.

PM me, payment by MO or personal check is okay with good trading...

• TheCZKid
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc

• 

 

[Kevin1990]

I'm new and even newer to the 20VT. I was convinced early on that the 20VT is the way to go in the rat patch. I also decided on a 20P along with a 17FB and 223. Both 20's are in early stages of being built. But, if you're wanting your brass 100% ready to go, the below link is your guy. He did up 1k 17FB, 1K 20VT and will be doing 1k 20P for me. I choose to use new Starline brass and plan to use the Rem 7.5 primers.

SELLING Thread '20 Vartarg Brass - Matching Lake City Brass, 1500 available'

Mar 12, 2025

Offering 20 Vartarg caliber brass, ready to load.

1500 of Lake City brass, with .0120" - .0125" neck wall, good for all chambers.
$110 for 100, shipped priority, extra 100's added for $100 and low combined shipping cost.

Have 900 that are matching 2015 year and 100 in 2016, and 500 of 1997, your choice.
All these are basically the same in weight. Primer pockets swaged with Dillon Super-Swager, formed with Redding dies, trimmed, chamfered & deburred necks. Necks are turned to .0125" with K&M by hand, annealed.

PM me, payment by MO or personal check is okay with good trading...

• TheCZKid
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc

• 

Probably sounds odd, but I'm actually looking forward to forming and turning my brass, haha. I also contemplated a 221 or 17fb myself. I'm liking the howa mini action so much, maybe I'll do it in the future.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Probably sounds odd, but I'm actually looking forward to forming and turning my brass, haha. I also contemplated a 221 or 17fb myself. I'm liking the howa mini action so much, maybe I'll do it in the future.

I would have done my own forming, but time isn't on my side. I'm still not completely setup and I'm currently knocking out OT's on my weekends. It's easier to have the CZKid do it. I am retiring in a year and hope to be online for 2027 rat season. I've come a long way my friend.

 

[L.Sherm]

I've shot alot of LC brass ive made and 7.5 its worked very well in 4 i have.
I've made over a 1,000 20VT and 20SCC cases and just got done with 600 17 Javalina cases from 223 cases

 

[Tommie]

Probably sounds odd

It does.
Hoping you love the process. For most folks the idea of forming brass is way cooler than the reality.

 

[Rick300]

N120 will serve you well. Mine shoots bugholes with it. With a 32VMAX I'm at 17.5 for my warm weather load and 17.7 for cool weather. Mid 3700's velocity. Of course work up in your rifle as velocity climbs very rapidly when you get close to the top end.

 

[17VLD]

As much as I love my 17mach1v and the 17 FB, I have always been amazed at how much better the 32 grain bullets did with the same case formed to 20 caliber. To me that 20vt is just about perfect for colony varmints. I've used Remington brass, LC, and Lapua, Federal 205m's for the most part and N130. I know a lot of guys love the N120 in the VT but 130 just plain worked for me and has proven itself past 500 yards on pds. I would not hesitate to use Rem 7 1/2s either. Enjoy the 20vt it's a great cartridge.
Matt

 

[Kevin1990]

As much as I love my 17mach1v and the 17 FB, I have always been amazed at how much better the 32 grain bullets did with the same case formed to 20 caliber. To me that 20vt is just about perfect for colony varmints. I've used Remington brass, LC, and Lapua, Federal 205m's for the most part and N130. I know a lot of guys love the N120 in the VT but 130 just plain worked for me and has proven itself past 500 yards on pds. I would not hesitate to use Rem 7 1/2s either. Enjoy the 20vt it's a great cartridge.
Matt

I'll try some N130. I have 2 30brs that are using N130. Sounds like from what I've read the cartridge isn't fussy in brass and primer choices.

 

[TheCZKid]

My best loads are with N120 17.6 or 17.7, or RL-7, and mostly use Rem 7 1/2 primers, with LC brass. The primer pockets hold up well, and the brass is very consistent.
I've used CCI 400 also, and seems to be the same accuracy. My bullet of choice is 32 Vmax, because they are inexpensive and very accurate in my rifle. If I want to go to 40 grain I shoot my 20 Practical, and below that is my 17 Hornet with 20 grain Vmax. 32 Grain is a sweet spot for the 20VT, just shoots so well, as 17VLD said.

 

[17VLD]

I'll try some N130. I have 2 30brs that are using N130. Sounds like from what I've read the cartridge isn't fussy in brass and primer choices.

I'll bet the N130 would be great when you try those 40 BIBs. I'm also sure your supply of N120 will work great with the 32s. My idea with the N130 was a little better fill rate but I think you can't go too far wrong with either and your right the Vartarg just performs so well with a wide variety of components. Hoping one day we will see Lapua brass for it again.
Matt

 

[chuckshooter]

Been talking to some very informed members on here about brass and primer choices for the 20Vartarg, but just curious about everyone's experience?

I have 16 pounds of N120, and I'm curious what brass and primer choices you all are using? Im considering using some bib 40grs, Berger 35gr or maybe some 32blitzkings. Looking at older threads it seems a lot were using rem 7 1/2 primers and LC brass.


Thanks fellas

I really like CCI450's for the primer choice and LC brass is my favorite for a std. vartarg. For my rimmed vartargs, I use starline DW360 brass. As far as bullets go, I think the 32gr. is the best choice for a vartarg. IMHO, if I want to shoot anything heavier, I have a 20tac or a 204r or a 20br.

 

[L.Sherm]

I always test primers for accuracy but I have found 7.5's to be the most accurate in my small 17 cals and 20VT, 20P etc but in a BR size case 450's.
Just got done with a 17 squirrel with 400's
17 Javalina really liked Tula SRPM I have

 

[Just Say Moe]

I have used CCI400, CCI450, WSR, Fiocchi SR, F205 with AA2200, AA1680, R7, and CFEBLK in purchased formed LC cases, my own made from 223 LC, RP, WW, and SB cases. Also re-necked RP 221 FB, RP 17FB, and Nosler 17 FB. All combinations of any of the above are sub half inch prairie dog accurate.

The best sub 0.3 in groups with 32VMax are with F205's and AA2200.

Currently my primary load is AA2200 and Fiocchi SR primers in any of the above brass. 32VMax with Fiocchi's have about 50 less FPS (~3650) than the others, but accuracy is there.

Point is, there probably (in my experience) won't be that much accuracy difference. Just fine tune the powder charge to get your desired velocity and COL for your rifle. I'm using Fiocchi's now because that is what I currently have the most of.

 

[L.Sherm]

Primers can be fire control sensitive depending on actions especially factory vrs Custom. Sometimes at 100 you dont see that much difference but the farther you start getting out there the more you will see the difference when you test.

 

[tjtjwdad]

I use Remington 17FB brass. Back when I put my 20VT together there just wasn't much out there. I've used H4197, RL7 and AA2200, R 71/2 and Nosler 32gr Ballistic Tips [Boat Tail].

 

[L Murphy]

I use N130 & Fed GM 205’s