Another 20 VarTarg question

[SS427]

What would you estimate the total weight of a 20 VarTarg rifle /scope would need to be, so that you could see your hits in the scope? If I go custom, I want to pick out an action, stock and barrel that puts me just over that weight total.

People claim they can see hits with a sporter weight .223 and Ruger .204, but that has not been my experience. Could it be how I hold the rifle? (Light hold, but I do hold...not like I free recoil my varmint rifles.)

Been looking at 20 VT Coopers but don't want to order one and wait. I've been disappointed in the sample targets though. Up until a few years ago a Cooper test target would be pretty much one hole slightly bigger than the caliber. Most of what I'm seeing today shows over lapping holes but clearly three distinct holes. I've even seen targets with paper between holes. What has happened? And is it going to matter? I'd hate to plunk down a couple grand for a Cooper and it not shoot any better than a factory Tikka or Remington.

 

[th82457]

I can see impact with my CZ 527 .20 Vartarg using 32 gr. bullets and a 6x24 scope. It has a 22.5" Douglas #2 contour barrel, so slightly heavier than a factory sporter 527. My guess is my gun is roughly 8 lbs, with scope and ammo. Keep in mind, most VT loads I use have 18 to 19 grains of powder and a 32 gr. bullet vs. 26-28 gr. of powder with a .204 or .223 and 39 - 55 gr. bullets, I have all three cartridges in CZ 527's and the VT is significantly lower on muzzle blast and recoil.

Terry

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Order the Cooper, gather dies and components, form your cases, then sit back and wait. Trust me, it WILL be worth the wait.

I shoot rat calibers from 17AH all the way up to the 6mm's, and my current luv-rifle is indeed my Cooper 20VT. I've got one in 223, another in 204 and can see the hits through the scope in all of them. Shooting my Cooper M38 VR 20VT is like shooting my pellet rifle in regard to recoil....virtually every shot can be spotted through the scope. Mine weighs 8.5 lbs with a Leupold VX3 LR 6.5-20X in Lupy rings/mounts.



Test targets can be decieving and are only a partial indication of how the rifle will shoot. Did the tester have a good day? Was he feeling 'right' that day? Was it Monday? I've never heard of a Cooper NOT shooting up to snuff, and the ones that may occur are quickly remedied by Cooper pronto. I would not base my purchasing decision on some targets you've seen from other rifles.....yours is the only one that counts.

Order your Cooper now......every day you wait is a day longer for it to eventually show up....and in all likelyhood, it WILL be a shooter. And if you settle for somthing else, you'll always regret NOT ordering the Cooper when you had the chance. Just sayin'..........

 

[th82457]

The Coopers are great guns - I have owned two of them, but the Vartarg cartridge is inherently accurate in any quality bolt gun with a good barrel and trigger, so your decision should be based on which rifle you like best and whether your favorite smith can get a quality barrel installed in a reasonable time frame and price. Also, a single shot Cooper is probably one of the better buys going - but a repeater is a bit pricey - depends on whether a single shot suits you or you want a repeater, also depends on whether this will be a walking gun or bench gun. Not matter which way you go, you will love the Vartarg once you get shooting it.

Good Luck !

 

[DogBuster]

My Savage s/shot weighs in close to 15#....

Very easy to see hits.....Run both 32 & 40 V max...

 

[David S Johnson]

I can see impact with my CZ 527 .20 Vartarg using 32 gr. bullets and a 6x24 scope. It has a 22.5" Douglas #2 contour barrel, so slightly heavier than a factory sporter 527. My guess is my gun is roughly 8 lbs, with scope and ammo. Keep in mind, most VT loads I use have 18 to 19 grains of powder and a 32 gr. bullet vs. 26-28 gr. of powder with a .204 or .223 and 39 - 55 gr. bullets, I have all three cartridges in CZ 527's and the VT is significantly lower on muzzle blast and recoil.

Terry

I have a a 527 223 varmint that I love but would consider converting it to a 20vt, and buying the new 527 223 thumb hole model. Can you give me the idiots version about how to go about the conversion. For example, I would have thought the 223 action would n o t work with the modified 221 fireball case. Is the 223 bolt dimensions compatible with the 221 case? Maybe jus t tell me who you used to make the conver s ion and what barrel you bought. I shoot bench and only paper so I am looking for great accuracy. Thanks Dave

 

[Phil]

Not sure of the exact weight, but i have a Cooper MTV in .223 with a Zeiss 5-20 scope.

3 days and 1500 rounds later i start to get sore from the lack of weight, but i`ll still shoot it if the opportunity presents it`s self.....

I would think that a 20VT would be much better in regards to recoil manageability.

My guess is that the rifle weighs around 10lbs. ready to go.....


Phil.

 

[th82457]

David,
I used a CZ 527 .221 Fireball action and magazine which is the parent cartridge for the vartarg. I assume a .223 action would work fine if you use the .221 magazine. My gun has a 1:12 twist Douglas stainless select barrel. The smithing work was done by Dave at IDT in Ohio. It shoots ridiculously well on a daily basis with 32 grain bullets with RL-7 powder.

Terry