AR 20 Vartarg?

[Mark M.]

Wondering if anybody out there had ever tried a 20 Vartarg on an AR platform...

 

[B23]

If they would feed reliably, I could see them being a lot of fun. But unlike a bolt gun where you can easily save all your brass, in an AR platform I'd probably go straight 20-221. For sure a 20-222 would feed slick so they could be an option as well.

 

[mac86951]

Agreed could be fun and with the internet; I'm sure someone's done it.

Excuse my ignorance, but AFAIK, 223 came about because 222 mag was too long, and 222 was a little short. Hence 222 special.

Question: Why not 20 Practical? I would hate to lose the vartarg brass in the weeds

-Mac

 

[Mark M.]

Agreed could be fun and with the internet; I'm sure someone's done it.

Excuse my ignorance, but AFAIK, 223 came about because 222 mag was too long, and 222 was a little short. Hence 222 special.

Question: Why not 20 Practical? I would hate to lose the vartarg brass in the weeds

-Mac

The practical would be a possibility but I was more concerned about the barrel heating up especially on the AR platform, velocities are close plus they also have some decent brass catchers that work well

 

[Knotwild]

An AR should feed the Vartag as it handles the .300 BO fine. The only thing I would fear is if it was still concentric after hitting the feed ramp. As cheap as components are right now, just build two uppers and when the barrel gets hot, punch two pins, slip in the second barrel/scope and stick a barrel cool on the other.

 

[B23]

20-222 would be sure to feed super slick and kinda splits the difference between 20-221 and 20-223 aka 20Practical, also, 222 brass is very inexpensive, even the Lapua 222 brass isn't all that bad.

 

[Stepsjframe]

the 17 and 221 fireballs dont feed too well, i tried to do a couple and neither worked, the cost of getting it to feed properly would have run into the thousands of $$$

 

[Mark M.]

Thousands?

 

[Stepsjframe]

I have a 17 Fireball upper that works just fine with standard mags.. I've not loaded or fired more than 5 at a time so don't know what might happen under rapid fire, but will say this. I had a trigger malfunction with a drop in expensive trigger that dumped three rounds faster that is supposed to be allowed. Got rid of the trigger but it proved to me seating the loaded rounds to the rear of the mag caused no ill effects.

A 20 Vartarg should fair no differently

 

[Forum Boss]

Do the .20 Practical. It's simply a .223 Rem necked down to .20 Caliber. Works Great. Robert Whitley has this one all sussed out.

Story: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/07/the-20-cal-black-rifle-ar-chambered-in-20-practical/

https://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek090.html

 

[steve123]

20 practical can be slowed down a bit to 20VT velocities, just sayin.

I haven't a 20P in an AR but have worked up a light load in 223 with 55's for paper stages. Guys with factory ammo are puking fire out of 18" barrels and I'm cruising along 300 fps less in a 16" and enjoying the benefits.

 

[232]

I have an ar 20vt that works fine. It even eats what I feed it.
I guess it was made before all the internet wizards decided it can't be done.

 

[Justin B]

I asked the same question & everyone told me it can't be done. X-caliber told me they would make a tube. I chickened out & ordered me another 20 Practical. The biggest downside is brass my 20 Practical with a brass catcher I get most of them but still I loose 30 a year to the grass or a miss feed.

Anyone have any reduced 20 practical loads for 32 vmax?? Loading some up for my wife soon.

 

[GrocMax]

Reduced loads? Probably someone here can guide you on specifics but the usual H4895, trailboss, tin star, 5744, etc. methods would work.

According to Hodgdon's instructions for H4895 reduced loads, for 20P 32g you'd want to start at about 60% of max load, or 28g * .6 = ~18.0g.

https://www.hodgdon.com/resources/data-sheets/