Eeny--Meeny--Miney--Moe

[sw282]

l have chosen a short round 221FB case prairie dog bolt gun for this PD season. For use @250 yds MAX. The gun/scope combo is known. Caliber will be. #1-17FB/MACH IV w/20gr VMAX: #2-20VarTarg w/32gr VMAX: #3 221FB w/40gr VMAX. VMAXs are In Stock for all 3. Final choice will one of these 3. Which shall l choose?

282

 

[17VLD]

I have all three and like them all.If I had to pick one it would be the 20 VT.As much as I like the 17Mach1V the VT with the 32 really throws the pd’s nicely.If I was gonna build the Mach1V I would choose a 9 twist barrel and run the 25 VMax in it.You really can’t go wrong with either one of your choices.How about setting up as a switch barrel and as time and funds allow add to your collection.
Matt

 

[1K6BRA]

I vote for Miney…. it will give you Moe!

 

[JSH]

One rifle, I wouldn’t leave with less than three myself.

 

[boltfluter]

.20 VT no question! Have fun.
Paul

 

[varmintshooter]

I also have all 3 and would go with the 20 vt. With brass being hard to come by you can get dies, form and trim, and make your own from 223 brass. My vt's are 12 twist and will shoot up to 40 gr bullets but get an 11 twist as others have had trouble shooting the 40 gr bullets. I only mention the 40's as they do better in the wind.

 

[Richard Jones]

17. My decision is based upon looking after your well being. The 32 gr in the 20 VT is 1.62X the weight of the 20 gr. bullet in the 17. The 40 in the 221 is 2X heavier. I'm just thinking about your shoulder....

Kidding aside, I'd still pick the 17 out to 250.....

Do you have dies? Loading 17FB is a whole lot different than forming M4 brass.....

 

[17cal Fan]

Love my 17FB in the PD fields 9 twist. It shoots incredible with the 20's. Getting ready to build a 221 and I expect it will be an awesome cartridge too. But, yeah, 3 to 5 guns end up making the trip.

 

[Tommie]

At 250 yard max range any of the above.

 

[Hotshot]

I enjoy both 17 FB and 20VT. If I could only have one it would be the 20VT.
The 223 bores me to death, I wouldn't even consider the 221 FB.

 

[lawman29]

221 FB

 

[JohnW...ski]

I have .17 mk4, .20 VT and a .221 Fireball, out to 250 yards either the .17 mk4 with 25 gr. bullets or the .20 VT with 32 gr. bullets will do the job, but with a big nod to the .20 VT. My .221 FB has a 13 twist and is crazy accurate with 50 to 53 gr bullets but I think 250 yards would be really stretching it.

 

[Knifeman]

20 Vartarg it an amazing overachieve

 

[L.Sherm]

Man if your gonna worry about recoil with any of the 3 you mentioned better stick with a 22LR.
I've shot 100's of rounds a day with a 20VT and couldn't even tell it

 

[alf]

I vote the Fireball.....

I have a soft spot for it, after wearing out one barrel on dogs, with kills to 500 in favorable conditions.

 

[BAM]

17, 22, and 20 cal in that order.....

 

[Ackman]

l have chosen a short round 221FB case prairie dog bolt gun for this PD season. For use @250 yds MAX. The gun/scope combo is known. Caliber will be. #1-17FB/MACH IV w/20gr VMAX: #2-20VarTarg w/32gr VMAX: #3 221FB w/40gr VMAX. VMAXs are In Stock for all 3. Final choice will one of these 3. Which shall l choose?

282

Any one of them would be fine. I've had a MIV since the mid 80''s and it's a good one. And a 221 for just about as long. They're both very effective and I like them both. The 221 will take them at pretty good distance, I've shot chucks at 450 long paces with it and they went down, but nothing exciting. It is real good on pd's, as is the MIV. Would probably like a 20VT just as much if I had one, but at this stage of life I don't want to be fooling with a new caliber. Pick any one of those and you'll do fine. Brass availability will be the same, bullet availability may be the decider. BUT.....you're gonna want at least a couple rifles and more than one chambering.
.

 

[snert]

I have a 17FB and a 20VT and a 222. If it were mine to do over I would just do a 222. A 221 is a good bet. The others require a lot more reloading work. Ive done it. Looking back, I would just go 20-222 or 222 or 221.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I have a 17FB and a 20VT and a 222. If it were mine to do over I would just do a 222. A 221 is a good bet. The others require a lot more reloading work. Ive done it. Looking back, I would just go 20-222 or 222 or 221.

Ok- send me your 20VT barrel- call it done

 

[JSH]

I am about splat factor and lift. Even if I am hitting them and it just dumps them, time for a different cartridge.