Building a new 20 VarTarg

[K9TXS]

I currently have a Cooper in 20 VarTarg and have found it to be my go to rifle.

My plan right now is to make a 20 VarTarg from a Savage 12 varmint low profile, CZ 527 Varmint or a Howa action. I will purchase the rifle new and then have a Pac-Nor barrel in 11 twist put on. It will used as a single shot only.

Any suggestions on the rifles mentioned or other I haven’t listed is appreciated.


Updated June 11, 2019
I found a fair price on a Remington 700 Varmint in 204. This is what I'll use for my new 20 VT. Sending it off tomorrow to Pac-Nor for the new barrel. Haven't decided yet it I want to keep the 204 barrel or sell it.

 

[Prose]

If you want single shot the 527 may not be right due to CRF. Savages don’t eject em you got to pluck em of the bolt. I’ve heard good things about the howa but have not personally verified. If you do go with the 527
They will mag feed

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I just picked up a new Howa Mini barreled action (6.5 Grendel barrel) for a 20 PPC build. Other than the plastic bottom metal, its actually a very nice action for the money.

Had Savage 12 in the past. You will hate it compared to your Cooper. Savages are clunky and sloppy, but they actually shoot pretty good for some reason...

 

[Evan]

Had Savage 12 in the past. You will hate it compared to your Cooper. Savages are clunky and sloppy, but they actually shoot pretty good for some reason...

Good design and tolerancing specification allows them to shoot well when the fit and finish are poor.

I used a Borden Rimrock BR and am very happy with it, but I suspect that is more than you want. I'd look at a Rem clone myself because I am a hopeless trigger snob and have never been happy with other action's offerings.

 

[DogBuster]

my Vartarg.....12 twist Pac Nor.....original chamber was 204R

built in 2007 or so....Savage small shank s/shot & Accue trigger

wish'd I knew how many rds are out & how many p/dogs I've kilt with it

yes.....at least 11 twist on new build.....H322 & 40 V's in mine......

 

[7315br]

K9TXS, I too have had a couple of Coopers in 20VT. A few years ago I decided to build a full custom 20VT. I ended up with a Stiller RBLP Predator V action to start with, Kreiger 1:12 twist, and a H-S Precision varminter stock. This rifle shot extremely well. 3-shot groups In the 1's anytime. Maybe a 1:11 twist might work better for some folks who shoot heavier bullets, but I stick with the 32 gr. for the 20VT. The Stiller Predator V fits the 700 stock pattern with little modification. The rifle under ideal shooting conditions has made shots to 500 yds on GS's, but mostly 350 yd to 400 yd shots. The rifle now has 2800 rds through it, and it still shooting well. 7315br

 

[SBS]

The Remington actions marked "Model 7 300 BLK" that were available some time ago were made to eject the Fireball case and work very well with the Vartarg round. A WTB ad might locate one if ejection is an important consideration. Easy enough to make a single shot with a Davidson single shot filler plate.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Good design and tolerancing specification allows them to shoot well when the fit and finish are poor.

I used a Borden Rimrock BR and am very happy with it, but I suspect that is more than you want. I'd look at a Rem clone myself because I am a hopeless trigger snob and have never been happy with other action's offerings.

Agreed. Remington 700 or clones have the best trigger options by far. I have multiple Jewel triggers and love them. I recently put a Bixn' Andy TacSport PRO trigger on a Kelby atlas and have to say its insanely nice. Actually like it better than my Jewels. The TacSport "PRO" edition adjust from 3.5 oz all the way to 2 lbs 2 oz without having to change springs. Super crisp, clean, and perfectly repeatable every time. Plus the TacSport is in an enclosed dust/dirt resistant housing and is built to run dry. Much less cleaning required than a Jewel and no need to use lighter fluid as a mild lubricant

 

[hunter67]

I just found a reasonable Savage model 10 heavy barrel in 204 and its on its way to be a 20 VT. I cant wait.

 

[DogBuster]

now just buy a single shot adapter magazine plate

 

[Barossa_222]

The ultimate repeater action for the Vartarg is, in my opinion, the Sako L461/A1. I don't know why you'd want one in a single shot if you own a Cooper, but what about a Ruger 1 or a Winchester single shot? Could always go custom and get a Bat SV . . . . . .

The CZ 527 are one of my favourites, I have 3 of them, but simply a pain single loading due to the CRF.

I had a Savage LRPV in 6BR which shot the lights out of everything, but I sold it because it wouldn't spit the shells out. My friends 223 does the same thing.

The Howa is probably the most reliable for feeding and ejecting out of the actions you've listed. I had one for years as my cheap deer rife and it never let me down.

Have fun deciding. It'll be fun regardless.

 

[varmintshooter]

I have a Cooper model 38 in 20vt and it was my go to gun for a couple years. I also have 2 Savage 20vt, 1 with a Shilen and 1 with an ER Shaw barrel. All 3 are 12 twist and shoot 32, 35, 39 and 40 gr bullets. When I got my can I threaded the Shaw barrel and it has been my go to for the last 2 years. I made a piece to replace the blind mag so it is a single shot. The Savage will extract but not eject brass so I remove spent brass with my fingers, not a big deal to me. All 3 are 12 twist but an 11 twist may be a better way to go for the 40's. The main reason I use the Shaw barrel gun is that it is a sporter contour and only 20". The other 2 are varmint contour and 24". I do a lot of walking so weight matters. A CZ action may be the best choice for a repeater if that is what you want.

 

[DogBuster]

been shooting 12 twist/3 groove Pac Nor & 40 V max 12+ years

20 VT..20 PT......never an issue....but........

also have a 9 twist/3 groove 20-222.......original chamber was 20 BR

yes 40 V max in it also

 

[boltfluter]

I would use a Tikka T3 action and live happily ever after!! Just my personal choice.

Paul

 

[Evan]

I would use a Tikka T3 action and live happily ever after!! Just my personal choice.

Paul

I didn't know you liked them so much . You hardly ever recommend them!

To OP: Jim Borden really surprised me with how quickly he could get me a Rimrock BR. I love my right bolt, left load, right eject Rimrock BR with a 20VT barrel. It's REALLY slick and you can run them fast! May be beyond your budget, but I'd highly recommend it.

EDIT: completely forgot that I already replied to this thread! Haha

 

[Silverfox]

Anyone who has problems getting their Savage to eject 20VT shells needs to contact Sharp Shooter Supply and order their "Ejector Kit" for their Savage. I built a 20 VarTarg on my Savage target action and had to pick the fired casings out of the chamber. I ordered the SSS "Ejector Kit" from SSS, installed it in my Savage target action, and it ejects the fired 20VT casings just fine. The kit consisted of a new extractor with a slightly longer claw than the original, a new ball bearing that is slightly larger than the factory one, a new ejector spring, and a new ejector which is slightly longer than the original. I highly recommend the SSS "Ejector Kit"--Excellent purchase on my part!!! I know SSS gets a bad rap from some of their customers, but I have had nothing but great service from them.

 

[Mark W]

The CZ 527 are one of my favourites, I have 3 of them, but simply a pain single loading due to the CRF.

I always hear that, but I’ve never had a lick of problem single feeding any of my 527s or 550s. What exactly makes it a pain?

 

[Barossa_222]

All of mine are hard to chamber jumping the claw over the rim of the case. Feed like butter out of the magazine though and super reliable ejecting cases. My 222 sporter is my go to for culling kangaroos.

 

[10xsllc]

I like the 20 Vartarg. It is nice to be able to post in this thread.

 

[hunter67]

I will pick up my 204 Monday and take it to smith for a rechamber to 20VT