Neck Down .222 Rem to .204 cal??

[jds holler]

Is this done? Anyone done it? I know about the Var Targ, but don't see much about simply converting .222 Rem to .20 cal.

My beloved .222 is over the hill, and I'm interested in .20. I've got a ton of brass, and this seems like the most logical "wildcat" to me.

I'd love to hear that barrels are available, it's done, and that I'm not just being dumb. jd

 

[shadrac]

yes necking down the 222 has been done its called the vartarg turbo

 

[jds holler]

Well, at least now I've got a name to go looking for. Thank you. Maybe as this post simmers, someone will pop in with more info. jd

 

[JohnHenry]

yes necking down the 222 has been done its called the vartarg turbo

It is the 20-222. The 20 VTT is based on the 222 but the case body taper is changed, the shoulder angled increased to 30*, and the case shortened by approx. 1/10th of an inch. See attached link.

http://tripledeuce.net/Cartridge_Comparisons_0SJN.php

PS: See attached link for some info. on the 20-222.

http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9548

 

[Phil]

Or you neck it down and fire form it to a 40 * shoulder and it becomes a .20 Bobcat, ala Kevin Weaver.......


Many variations on your thinking....


Phil.

 

[jds holler]

My main interest is to get a new barrel (short target) in .20 cal. I'm more interested in brass life and barrel life than I am in having a real barn burner. Var Targ suits my power requirements, I just thought maybe it would be simpler to utilize standard .222 Rem brass, leaving out the .221 Fireball step. The rifle I'd be doing this with is a 700 ADL. Main purpose -- ground squirrels. Pretty high volume shooting, mainly 300 yds and less. jd

 

[Eddie Harren]

I did this 3 years ago for the same reason as the OP. I had 3 222 Rem and wanted something in 20 Cal. that was simple to make brass for. I simply necked the 222 Rem to 20 and had at it. Turned out to be an excellent groundhog/prairie dog cartridge. 32 Gr bullets and IMR XBR8208 gave exceptional accuracy. Not as flat shooting as the 20 Tactical but still a very good choice for a varmint rifle.

 

[jds holler]

I did this 3 years ago for the same reason as the OP. I had 3 222 Rem and wanted something in 20 Cal. that was simple to make brass for. I simply necked the 222 Rem to 20 and had at it. Turned out to be an excellent groundhog/prairie dog cartridge. 32 Gr bullets and IMR XBR8208 gave exceptional accuracy. Not as flat shooting as the 20 Tactical but still a very good choice for a varmint rifle.

Did you order a barrel chambered accordingly, do it your self, or -- ?? Would it be called the Var Targ Turbo as mentioned above? jd

 

[20 TAC]

I have two rifles chambered in what is referred to as a 20-222. For a no turn neck option, I used the PTG "Richard Nelson" spec'd reamer on file with them. Simple neck down with Redding Type S FL die. Extremely easy to form and a very accurate little cartridge. Run Vartarg speeds with ease or up to 4,000+ fps if you wish. Here is a great thread about what you're looking for:

Go to Saubier.com and an old thread titled 20-222 Plain Jane has resurfaced to the front page.

Hope this helps.

 

[Eddie Harren]

JDS Holler, I chambered my own barrel. It is a Lilja Rem Var contour. PM me an e-mail address and I'll send you some pics.

 

[pwdrbrn]

Real easy to convert the 222 brass, just neck down to 204, one step with a 229 bushing in a 222 die . Sub 1/2 moa to 400 yds with 40 gr nos in 11 tw pac nor 3 groove and 4198. Have fun, Tom. Take Mr Harrens' advice and help, you can't go wrong.