Initial 20 VarTarg loads

[ARW]

I have a Krieger 12t Remington varmint contour barrel being chambered in my first ever 20 VarTarg.

I need help with my starting loads. I have a box each of 32gr and 40gr V-Max and the powders I have to try are H322, IMR4198, Accurate2200 and N133. The I primers I have to try are BR-4 and 450 Mag. Brass will be new Lapua 221FB.

Any and all help with starting loads will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[snert]

18-20 gr 2200, BR4, 32 gr bullet

move up to 20 SLOWLY

4198 in IMR form is hard to get enough in.

 

[ARW]

18-20 gr 2200, BR4, 32 gr bullet

move up to 20 SLOWLY

4198 in IMR form is hard to get enough in.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

I've heard nothing but good things about the 20 VarTarg and am really looking forward to working up loads for it.

 

[chuckshooter]

I load for 6 vartarg's, and for me, cci450's hold up the best, my load is between 19.9 and 20.3 of 2200, used to go all the way to 20.8 but, brass didn't hold up. And I also had extraction issues. All with 32vmax, if I want to shoot 40's I go with something bigger.

 

[snert]

Chuckshooter makes a good point regarding primers. A good thick primer doesn't hurt.

I use cci 400 or Fed G match, but keep loads at 20 or under. FWIW my velocity went from 3550 with 19.5 to 3700 with 20, and blew primers at 20.3. I am using 34 grain dogtowns. I am using LC brass reformed, and Remington also. The Rem has more room, but is softer.

I can't afford Lapua in quantity.

So what we are saying is go SLOOOW. Use a chrono if you can. Watch your brass life and realize some guys are boasting hyper speeds. There is NO FREE LUNCH. Speed is pressure.

In regard to 40's, I tried some, but mostly I built the gun for PD and cheap bullets fit the bill. It shoots 40's just fine in a 10 twist for groundhogs, but the 34 worked too. See my First blood Vartarg thread.

 

[TheCZKid]

Of the powders you have, AA2200 will likely be your best accuracy. My best load was with 32 V-max bullet AA2200 20.1 with CCI 400, average around 3700 fps. It wouldn't hurt to test between your two primers, see if your barrel does better with one over the other. Like others, I will stick with 32 or 34 grain bullets, save the 40 for my 20 Practical.

 

[Bill K]

Day in and day out you will find 2200 and 10X are the go to powders for the VT.

 

[Rick300]

Day in and day out you will find 2200 and 10X are the go to powders for the VT.

For 32 VMAX with an 11 twist I have found H4198 does better followed by RL7

 

[TheCZKid]

Day in and day out you will find 2200 and 10X are the go to powders for the VT.

I have some 10x, curious about load suggestions, and it is good with 32 grain? speed, that kinda stuff. I got some RE-7 and it's good, CFE-BLK is also another option to consider, and of course H4198 is said to be a standard consideration.

 

[mroper3]

All the powders you have will work, but the 2200 is considered the ultimate for the V/T. But I’m going to throw two at you that are usually overlooked. On the burn rate chart #72 is 2200. #73 is R/L 7 which works quite well, but the one I found works as good or better than 2200, is #74, LT32. Whatever load you settle on in 2200, try the same in LT32. You’ll be amazed at the accuracy and consistency.

 

[GT Accuracy]

AA2200, RL 7, and 4198 are the go to for this caliber as so many have said before. I recently played with H335 and H322 and they were ok, but for me AA2200 and 4198 are the winners

I've been meaning to try LT32 and Mroper might have just twisted my arm enough to do it

 

[ARW]

Thanks for all the response and info.

Of the powders I have on hand it looks like the Accurate 2200 is probably going to be my best bet.
I will still try a few loads with the other powders though just in case...... You never know.

 

[LitLBoy]

CFE Black

 

[ARW]

All the powders you have will work, but the 2200 is considered the ultimate for the V/T. But I’m going to throw two at you that are usually overlooked. On the burn rate chart #72 is 2200. #73 is R/L 7 which works quite well, but the one I found works as good or better than 2200, is #74, LT32. Whatever load you settle on in 2200, try the same in LT32. You’ll be amazed at the accuracy and consistency.

I found LT-32 in stock at Midsouth shooters and just ordered a pound of it.

Hazmat shipping was a lot cheaper than most at only $16.00.

 

[TheCZKid]

All the powders you have will work, but the 2200 is considered the ultimate for the V/T. But I’m going to throw two at you that are usually overlooked. On the burn rate chart #72 is 2200. #73 is R/L 7 which works quite well, but the one I found works as good or better than 2200, is #74, LT32. Whatever load you settle on in 2200, try the same in LT32. You’ll be amazed at the accuracy and consistency.

I purchased 5 pounds as a recommendation for my 20 Practical, but didn't find a load I liked... so I'll try it in my 20 VT, it likes AA2200 and RE7, and this is next in order on the burn-rate chart. Cool!

 

[Evan]

My experience with AA2200 was not as positive as the general consensus, so I will just say that I experienced 150fps velocity swings across temperature changes of only 30 degrees, and loads went from safe in 65 degree weather to piercing primers when it was 95, or from safe at 95 to entirely anemic and WAY out of tune at 65.

IMR4198 worked very well for me and was consistent and stable across a wide variety of conditions. Use a drop tube and pour a little slower and you can fit a lot of it in the case.

If you really want a ball powder, Ramshot Xterminator was more stable and consistent than AA2200 for me, but it's a little slow and you'll need to fill the case.

 

[ARW]

IMR4198 worked very well for me and was consistent and stable across a wide variety of conditions. Use a drop tube and pour a little slower and you can fit a lot of it in the case.

I have some IMR4198, what was your bullet and charge weight with IMR 4198.

Thanks

 

[Evan]

I have some IMR4198, what was your bullet and charge weight with IMR 4198.

Thanks

18.6gns, cci400, 40gn vmax in Lapua cases. My lot of 4198 is from 1988, so I can't speak to what the new lots are like for burn rate. I'd recommend playing it safe and start lower.

Xterminator was 22gns.

 

[JSH]

I saw some what similar results with AA2200. I just tuned my loads for the warm weather and went on. I do less shooting with some calibers than others in cold weather.
I am trying to use up the last 8lb that I got fro Weidners way back in the early 90’s. It was cheap to begin with and then if you ordered 4x8lb they paid the hazmat. I ordered 8x8lb as a couple of guys wanted some too. Long story short I ended up with 7x8lb. This was the old DATA powder.
I have done everything with it but sprinkle it over cereal or stir it into my coffee. Once it’s gone no more, lol.

 

[snert]

18.6gns, cci400, 40gn vmax in Lapua cases. My lot of 4198 is from 1988, so I can't speak to what the new lots are like for burn rate. I'd recommend playing it safe and start lower.

Xterminator was 22gns.

Evan,

Were you not running heavies (50 grain bullets) in that VT? Or when speaking of 2200 were you running light bullets. Just looking for clarification, not being a poop.