Opinion time please. 20 cal, efficient cartridge suitable for rodents

[TAJ45]

at shorter ranges.

Looking for something that would be just moderately at most, labor intensive to form out of easily acquired cases. End use would be <250yd squirrels, high volume w/o needing more than a couple to rotate into the fray to let bbls cool.

I know there is a slew of them, Bobcat, VT, Extreme, Fireball and its iterations....... Looking for a proven accurate cartridge and around 20-24 gr powder. I have a set of the PBike257 necking dies just waiting to get warmed up. A bud has a lathe and is quite skilled at chambering so if I'm going to pop for a reamer, why not get what trips my trigger?

Thoughts? 20 Bobcat w/30-40° shldr pushed back, longer than usual neck, but trimmed to abt .300?
Maybe a 20 BRAT pushed back .150-200" with same neck treatment??
20PPC same as BRAT trtmnt?

Let's hear some ideas for the stated end use. Thanks for your time.
The forum is now OPEN . . .

 

[johnfred1965]

I'll vote for the VT, 18-20gr powder sends a 32 vmax screaming. Something else may come along, but it is my favorite for now. Chamber for a no turn neck after sizing 221 fireball and off you go. my end use is PD's out to 300 or so, don't want to use up my .204's on close shots!

 

[csandfort]

+1 for VT. Your requirements are the definition of a 20VT.

I wanted to add on thing to the list. They are wicked accurate!

 

[vmaxpro]

Oh hell yea do the vartarg you wont regret it!

 

[Gabe22BR]

VT






THERE'S your answer.....

 

[Varmint Shooter]

You might consider the 20 SCC. Can obtain 150 to 200 fps more than the VT. Go to the Small Caliber Club Forum,
there is a ton of information regarding the 20 SCC.

 

[SmokinJoe]

20VT is great for your requirements, but my vote is for 20-221FB AI, essentially the same as 20SCC. 22.0 grs AA2200 & 32's give 4,000 + fps with moderate pressure and good accuracy. It is hard to believe that the AI versions are that much better, but they are. Want more power, build 20-223AI which will give 4,000+ with 40's & 28.0 grs H4895. Both of these cartridges are dirt simple to load for & give great accuracy.

 

[TAJ45]

20VT is great for your requirements, but my vote is for 20-221FB AI, essentially the same as 20SCC. 22.0 grs AA2200 & 32's give 4,000 + fps with moderate pressure and good accuracy. It is hard to believe that the AI versions are that much better, but they are. Want more power, build 20-223AI which will give 4,000+ with 40's & 28.0 grs H4895. Both of these cartridges are dirt simple to load for & give great accuracy.

Great info and greatly appreciated. Hard to find side by side pix for reference - anyone have a std FB, FB AI'd ( I have a real weakness for Parkerizations ) and maybe the SCC?

I do have nearly a metric ton of LC 223 plus some Dakota and Lapua so I'm sure the balance is reasonably preloaded as to parent cartridge....

 

[Phil]

20VT is great for your requirements, but my vote is for 20-221FB AI, essentially the same as 20SCC. 22.0 grs AA2200 & 32's give 4,000 + fps with moderate pressure and good accuracy. It is hard to believe that the AI versions are that much better, but they are. Want more power, build 20-223AI which will give 4,000+ with 40's & 28.0 grs H4895. Both of these cartridges are dirt simple to load for & give great accuracy.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^Right Here..............^^^^^^^^

 

[DogBuster]

20 Vartarg all the way........

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Here Is a picture of the 221 fireball, 20vt, and 20SCC side by side:

 

[TAJ45]

Hmmm, that 20 SCC really catches my eye. A VTarg with a 40° shldr is also enticing.
Thanks for the pix - it really helps with the perspective.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Think about the tried and true .221 Fireball. Neck it down to 20 and be done with it. No shoulder angle changes, 18 to 20 grains of powder and deadly accurate. Got the 20 VT. Not impressed.

 

[232]

WG

Sure looks like a lot of difference in the neck diameter of the 20vt and 20scc. Or are my eyes confusing me?

 

[vmaxpro]

Take a look at my fireball thread. Thats at 200 yards. Easy 250yd head shots on squirrels to give you an idea how accurate the case is. Yes its a 17 but that makes it even harder to get accurate than a 20! I think any you choose youll be more than happy

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Neck diameter of the 20vt and 20SCC are within .001 of each other so I would say it's just an optical illusion.

WG

Sure looks like a lot of difference in the neck diameter of the 20vt and 20scc. Or are my eyes confusing me?

 

[6xcshooter]

If you have a ton of 223 brass I'd go with the 20 practical, otherwise go with the 20 vartarg. Just be sure if you want a vartarg to eject correctly get the right action that will eject properly. I have a vartarg made on the remington 700 fireball action. One thing about so called short range shooting is that you can shoot close with a more powerful cartridge.

 

[pacificman]

Got to agree...20VeeeTeee

 

[mac86951]

20-24gr powder, how about a 20-222?

 

[TAJ45]

Got to agree...20VeeeTeee

The die is cast. Found a new VT reamer. Let the good times roll !
This auto correct is for the birds. I poked in VT multiple times before it stopped changing it to TV.

Thanks to everyone who contributed their suggestions, pix and info. A great resource !