20VT repeater

[Gabe22BR]

Gonna throw this out there-
I’m wanting a repeater in 20VT variants-

I wanting one to feed the case- from a magazine-

I read where one guy used a MDT/Acis mag- I call BS !!! - I have 3 varieties of 223 mags, w/ different lengths of mag lips, none feed the 221FB case- it pops out nose diving into the bottom of the barrel-on a custom SA Rem clone-

I can see the CZ 527 working (221FB version). Guessing that’s why Calhoon used them for his 19 builds…they feed.
Don’t know if a 223 version would or not w/o messing with the magazine

Now, I read where the Howa mini feeds the case.. don’t know if it’s with the factory mag or using a single follower- or some magazine modification required-….

I’ve had 3 Rem 221FB rifles..converted 1 to single shot, sold the others… so I’m not interested in the Rem at all…

I seen where 1 guy used a Howa mini & CZ bottom metal to get one to feed… so I guess anything is possible…

What would be your decision today- given the choices of current, available actions…???

Thanks, Gabe

I have several Bat S series in single shots… just wanting a repeater…so I’ll have to purchase the current setup to work this out…

 

[X Count]

Sako L461 and S491 will both feed from experience.

CZ is controlled round feed so should be simple. The action is dainty and and mine didn't handle pressure as well as some other actions although it was exceptionally accurate.

Howa mini is basically a copy of the 491 and would probably work with the CZ mag option. Pretty nice little action but costs add up once you start adding aftermarket bottom metal and mag.

Tikkas are tolerant with their standard single stack, centre feed mag.

 

[Gabe22BR]

From what I seen on the Tikka, it’s the same as the ACIS/MDT mags.. case is in between mag & barrel..
I’ll have to investigate the Howa Mini a bit more…

 

[Oso]

Sako L46 (removable magazine) and L461 (internal magazine w/ hinged floorplate) both work.

CZ 527 works. Easiest if can source a 221 Fireball rifle, but you will pay a pretty penny (call it $1500 on Gunbroker). As far as the dainty action... just use your thumb on the rear of the bolt to cloase it and it is seamless. Grab it with a gorilla grip like you are fast cycling hard a PRS rig and yes the bolt will bind a bit.

Jefferson Outdoors offers a magazine conversion kit for the Howa Mini that utilizes CZ 527 magazines. I believe he offers version for both .223 and Grendel/Arc.

Remington 700 - 221 Fireball or 17 Fireball (there were a couple of special runs with the extractor location repositioned for the Fireball cartridge)

Side Note:
Unlike most US manufacturer's, CZ does not use a common length magazine with a space placed in the rear to accommodate different cartridge lengths. The CZ 527 magazines vary in length based on the cartridge and so do the cartridge specific bottom metal (length of magwell opening and location of mag release lever).
Cartridge (1) Magazine Length (OD) (2) Feed Lips (rear of case to leading edge of feed lips)
221 FB (1) [TBD] (2) [TBD]
222 Rem (1) 2.265" (2) 1.124"
223 Rem (1) 2.400" (2) 1.410"
300 BO (1) 2.400" (2) 1.356"

Since I don't own one, I am no certain if the 221 Fireball Mags are based on the 222 Rem mag or its own specific magazine that is shorter. Maybe someone with a CZ 527 Fireball can take a couple of measurements to add to the above information.

 

[JB10]

My gunsmith has built several 221 fireball and 17 fireball. They were off the howa mini action. He did modify the factory mag to help feeding. He loves tinkering with small cartridges. I wanted one built of a R700 untill i read up issues with a standard 223 bolt face. Buying the howa and building off of it might be best bet, or shell out more money for something else to build off of.

 

[Tommie]

Is there a reason an action an action build for 300 Blackout wouldn’t feed the Fireball case?

 

[Bill K]

My one Savage SA Axis will feed three 20 VT's without a hitch and works pretty well.
However my CZ527 works the best, right out of the magazine. It is in 17 Fireball, but a 20 VT should feed just as well.
I would work with a CZ or maybe a Howa Mini. I did take a Howa Mini in 7.62x39 rebarreled to 22 PPC and it feeds those fine out of magazine, so a 20 VT may also, with a 223 mag.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Is there a reason an action an action build for 300 Blackout wouldn’t feed the Fireball case?

Kinda trick question-
Since the 308 bullet is almost big as the case & the 300BLK case is as a standard 223 loaded rd-
The 20VT isn’t as long, has a definite shoulder, shorter OAL , like a 17FB…
You get the picture??

 

[Gabe22BR]

I’m checking into the Howa MINI right now… don’t know where it’ll lead too…

 

[Tommie]

Kinda trick question-
Since the 308 bullet is almost big as the case & the 300BLK case is as a standard 223 loaded rd-
The 20VT isn’t as long, has a definite shoulder, shorter OAL , like a 17FB…
You get the picture??

I get that. But wouldn’t the feed lips be basically the same?

 

[L.Sherm]

I get that. But wouldn’t the feed lips be basically the same?

They are but the problem is the 20VT case length vrs the 223 case.
I think if the feed lips were moved forward about .040 it wouldn't pop out of mag to soon.

 

[B23]

What about using a Tikka? The feed lips on their mags are a fair bit longer and extend further forward then a lot of the others so they, could, possibly work for the shot little 221FB case. Tweaking the magazine follower spring on just about any of them to prevent the cartridge from tipping down and nose diving before it starts up inside the chamber may be something you have to play with to get it to feed the way you want. Kevin Wyatt was always really good about helping getting things to feed perfect.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I get that. But wouldn’t the feed lips be basically the same?

Here’s a tikka- MDT/Acis mag

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Find you a Cz 527 Action

Best repeater for a 20 Vartarg build!

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Gabe make you a Cz 527 20 Vartarg for super nice repeater Action like this one!

 

[Oso]

Find you a Cz 527 Action

Best repeater for a 20 Vartarg build!

CZ 527 chambered in which cartridge is the best donor choice for conversion to Fireball???

I know that the Actions are all the same size. However, depending upon the specific cartridge both the magazine (magazine length and feed lip) and magwell opening are different sizes. See my post above for additional details.

 

[Hotshot]

I have a Howa Mini in 20VT. I use the Howa 223 magazine without much trouble.
I often drive through prairie dog towns shooting from the cab of the pickup. I like to use the magazine instead of single loading the tiny action. My technique is to open the bolt slowly and catch the empty to drop in my shirt pocket then feed the next round into the chamber. I have learned by feel the correct speed to close the bolt without feeding problems.

 

[Triggerf16]

I think I’ve posted this here before. If not, here it is.

Tikka T3X CTR in 223, rebarrelled to 20VT.

Magazine is a CZ 527 Fireball magazine built into a carrier that is the outer size/shape of the CTR magazine. By mounting the Fireball magazine at the front end of the carrier, it feeds pretty well, and minimizes the jump from the cartridge leaving the mag feed lips until it is in the chamber. I’ve found if I run the bolt slowly, it will occasionally choke and misfeed. If I run the bolt briskly, I’ve had excellent feeding.

For me this solution allowed me to build a rifle using an action/chassis/trigger I already had on hand. Only required a new barrel and fabricating the magazines. Preferred Barrel Blanks spun up the barrel for me. I’m pretty happy with the result, and it shoots very well. Little tiny groups with CFE BLK and Sierra 32gr + 39gr bullets.

 

[ricco1949]

Sako L461 feeds, extracts and ejects 20 VT flawlessly...

 

[RegionRat]

Gabe make you a Cz 527 20 Vartarg for super nice repeater Action like this one!

Which CZ 527 did you start with? Which bottom metal/magazine is used as the donor?