CZ Kevlar Question

[Mark M.]

I recently purchased a used CZ Kevlar in 223 with the idea of rebarreling in a 20 cal.
I had just finished up earlier CZ project in 223 with Troy at Bullberry Barrel Works out of Utah, installing a 22" Pac-nor 5 grove 12 twist sporter weight and full bedding job, 1st day at the range was Sunday, trying different loads, 26gr. benchmark 53gr. V-Max, shot a very nice 5 shot .320 grp
So i thought I would have bullberry Duplicate the varmint profile on the CZ Kevlar with another Pac-nor, 24" 20 cal., so the question is which 20 cal.? 204 Ruger or Vartarg or something else? Thoughts or comments Appreciated

 

[Mark W]

I would do the 20 VT if this were my decisionto make....

 

[Bangs OH]

I have a CZ .204 Kevlar Varmint. The only way I’d ever improve it would be with an aftermarket barrel in a slightly-faster twist (to stabilize the 40 grain bullets.) For me, a VarTarg would be a step down in performance — with the same weight and barrel length. IMO, a Howa Mini or CZ 527 American with a heavy sporter barrel around 22” would arguably be a better “fit” for the VarTarg.

 

[searcher]

Since you reload - maybe the choice might be made on brass and how much (or little) work you want to do on it. The .20 Practical makes for cheap, accurate brass once necked down from LC or similar and neck turned and the parent case is always available - both in quantity and in times of "can't get anything". If you have a .223 bushing die - simply swap the bushing which could save a few bucks on dies. Don't have to do all that work with the Tactical or VarTarg or .204 Ruger. The performance isn't all that different - take your pick. Simply because I'm a high-volume shooter, I'd take the Practical or the .204 Ruger.

 

[hogpatrol]

Another vote for the .20 Practical.

 

[Mark M.]

Since you reload - maybe the choice might be made on brass and how much (or little) work you want to do on it. The .20 Practical makes for cheap, accurate brass once necked down from LC or similar and neck turned and the parent case is always available - both in quantity and in times of "can't get anything". If you have a .223 bushing die - simply swap the bushing which could save a few bucks on dies. Don't have to do all that work with the Tactical or VarTarg or .204 Ruger. The performance isn't all that different - take your pick. Simply because I'm a high-volume shooter, I'd take the Practical or the .204 Ruger.

I have quite a bit of both 223 and 204 brass, also have the die sets for both including bushing dies, I guess What it would really come down to is performance and accuracy but it looks like all 3, practical, tactical and 204 are pretty much the same as far as performance, I guess the only real difference comes in brass selection, But since this is just a varmint rifle, it's pretty much just splitting hairs wouldn't you say?

 

[19 Badger]

Vartarg or .204 Ruger

 

[Oso]

Mark,

What do you want to do with the rifle? You should go over to Saubier.com and do some reading on the varmint rounds and their comparisons.

If you don't already have a mid-range varmint rifle then the 20VTG is the way to go. There is something to be said about a cartridge that is accurate and only has 60% of powder charge as a 223. There will be minimal recoil and you'll be able to see your shots land. If you would like to shoot volume (50-100 rounds at a time) without concern about overheating the barrel or wearing out your shoulder then the clear winner is a smaller caliber with a moderate powder charge. The CZ action and overall size of rifle is perfect for the 20VTG, but it will be a bit light for the .204 (another post above made mention of similar point on 204 in CZ). The 20VTG is a 221 Fireball necked down to 20 cal. If you don't want the hassle of brass forming or you don't need to max velocity, the 20 Practical is straightforward.

For what its worth I am having a 20VTG built.

 

[Mark M.]

Mark,

What do you want to do with the rifle? You should go over to Saubier.com and do some reading on the varmint rounds and their comparisons.

If you don't already have a mid-range varmint rifle then the 20VTG is the way to go. There is something to be said about a cartridge that is accurate and only has 60% of powder charge as a 223. There will be minimal recoil and you'll be able to see your shots land. If you would like to shoot volume (50-100 rounds at a time) without concern about overheating the barrel or wearing out your shoulder then the clear winner is a smaller caliber with a moderate powder charge. The CZ action and overall size of rifle is perfect for the 20VTG, but it will be a bit light for the .204 (another post above made mention of similar point on 204 in CZ). The 20VTG is a 221 Fireball necked down to 20 cal. If you don't want the hassle of brass forming or you don't need to max velocity, the 20 Practical is straightforward.

For what its worth I am having a 20VTG built.

Thanks for your insight, ordered a pac-nor super-match barrel 11 twist the other day so I have some time to Mull it over a bit, I have a nice CZ in 223 that I had re-barreled with a super-match barrel, it shot so well i thought i would build a 20 bolt gun, also have well built AR with a Precision Firearms built upper, 24" Bartlin fluted barrel with there brake, pretty cool, extreme quality and accuracy, so maybe a midrange vartarg would be the way to go, What appeals to me is the volume shooting without overheating the barrel, thanks for your post.

 

[1raggedhole]

Although 20vt is a great choice, converting over to a longer 20 would make more sense if you want a repeater. I personally favor the 204, but 20 practical is the ticket for cheap brass.