Rechamber 204 Ruger to 20 Vartarg?

[brand692]

I have a factory Rem 700 SPS in 204 that I was considering rechambering in 20 VT, just to try out the cartridge. I understand the magazine length and feeding issues, but my question is if it is even possible to set a Remington 700 barrel chambered in 204 Ruger to 20 VT?

How far back would it have to be set? Nearest I can come up with, from case drawings, is somewhere between .500 and .600. Does that sound accurate?

Can I safely take that much off a factory barrel and have it re-threaded?

The question will of course arise "Why rechamber a factory barrel?" Well, the wait on a new barrel is months, and I don't know if I'll be happy enough with the 20VT to justify building a whole rifle, if I can have this one set back and rechambered for 150 bucks.

I did a search and found one member as the same question about a CZ 527, however with a difference in action styles and barrel contours, I thought I should re-address it.

 

[dorothy167]

222 mag is parent of 204. 221 is parent of 20 vartarg look up case measurements in reloading manual,you will find it to be doable other than time 20 caliber blank would seem to be more feasable $$$wise. midway carries blanks in 20 caliber. if you wanted to do it on a savage action or stevens e.r.shaw has ready to install barrels, but you will have a wait,and still have the original barrel.

 

[brand692]

I understand the parent cartridges of both calibers, and I have looked up case drawings on both, and my calculation was that I would have to set the barrel back .500-.600. I just want to make sure that my math is correct, and that a factory barrel can be set back that far.

Regarding a new 20 cal blank, it would cost me more to buy a blank, have it threaded/chambered/and crowned compared to setting back my current barrel. Several hundred more. Plus the wait. I'm not really sure of how it would be more feasible to buy a blank, than to just have the one I have set back. I'm just not really wanting to drop a lot of cash on a caliber that I'm not totally sold on.

Midway does offer a 20VT barrel for the 700, but like all barrels, they are months from delivery, and its 275 dollars. Hard to justify a 275 dollar barrel if the one I have will do just fine.

The time deal is typically not important, but I only get two weeks a year to hunt, and its rapidly approaching (18 Dec-03 Jan).

Someone has to have tried this before me, I'm sure of it!!

 

[KevinL]

Go for it brand
I set a 204 back rechambered to 20 Br and am still shooting it I Love it. If mimory servs correct I payed about 75 bucks to MGM to do the work.
I had all the tolling to do the job but opted to have them do the work.
I have a sav that I shortened a 204 on also and desined my own cart with sporters you do need to do a litle more thinking and mesuring

When I do build a shooter that is a tried and true shooter that I am acustum to I always go with a GOOD Brl but for play guns why spend the extra money rechamber a cheep factory brl to play with when the time is rite change to a premiom brl or try another round
Good Luck Kevin

 

[brand692]

Kevin,

Thanks for the input. I'm going to give it a shot and see how it turns out, unless I hear otherwise.

Ben

 

[RJinTexas]

You're going to enjoy shooting the 20VT, I built a new varmint rifle last year for use in the p-dog towns. No recoil and not much noise yet extremely accurate out to 350 to 400yds. This cartridge gives up very little to the .204 Ruger.

Regards
RJ

 

[jo191145]

Ben

Maybe theres another option that makes economical sense. Jim Briggs from Northland Shooters Supply was at least considering the idea of ordering and selling screw on barrels for Remmys.
The difference would be they'd be made Savage Style. Prechambered and ready to go but with a Sav style nut instead of a shoulder.

I think you could have a Shilen barrel in 20VT plus the new nut for just over $300. You would still need a smith to remove the old one.

I'm not sure if this venture ever took off. I'm sure theres a wait for these barrels if they are even available. Demand would be low enough that he would not keep anything in stock like he does for the Savs.

Might be worth a call 763-682-4296

 

[brand692]

Joe,

Thanks for the heads up. I'll give him a call tomorrow.

Ben