The VarTarg stretches its legs...

[CubCouper]

A buddy and I spent the last few days putting the finishing touches on another great summer of dog splatting. We had several dogs past 500, one at 607, and this one was the last shot of the day Sunday: 796 yards.

Specs: 20 VarTarg shooting 40gr Bergers ahead of 17.9gr of H4198. I built the rifle on a Haverkamp dual port BR action with a Krieger 11 twist barrel and a short-bench style stock that I had whittled a few years ago for a Deuce project. I'm already looking forward to building a few more VTs this winter in a more carry-able format.

We had 2 VTs, a pair of Deuces, a 22 Hornet, and my 5.7x28. The VTs were the clear winners when it came to reliable long range hits, though the Deuces had 500+ yard kills as well. The Hornet and the 5.7 were relegated to the short range stuff, but were nearly perfect inside 150 yards.

 

[NorCalMikie]

We've seen dead P Dogs before. Seen one you've seen them all. Where's the picture of the rifle?

 

[7315br]

CubCouper, Congrats...that is impressive with the 20 VT. I've done GS's out to 500 yds in perfect conditions with the 20VT...but 796 yds (even 607 yds) is really something!! That's 20 BR or 20/250 range for me. Good job.

 

[hunter67]

Great shooting. Must have been a calm day?

 

[jds holler]

Did you use a rest?? jd

 

[long40shot]

Well done! Tell us about your rifle please.

Matt

 

[Evan]

Pictures of the rifle! I don't care about the dead rodent you found in a field with a paper pie plate describing its executioner.

My 20 Vartarg is my very favorite rifle. It's set up as a benchrest gun and shoots very well indeed! It has made a great number of rifles seem obsolete or unnecessary.

 

[JSH]

Man this is a tough crowd.

That background looks almost familiar.

 

[17VLD]

that’s a far poke.
My best shot so far with a Cooper 20 VT is only 543 yards with a 32.
Always thought an 11 twist with a 39 or 40 would work well.
Congrats on a great shot,would love to see a pic of the rifle and optic.
Matt

 

[steve123]

Barrel length and FPS too please.

 

[Bill K]

Photo of the rifle and what scope did you use to even see that dog at 700 plus yards ?

 

[nmkid]

Yes, pictures of your rifle. How much did you dial-up to make that hit?

 

[CubCouper]

Oops, been away awhile... here's the particulars on the rifle.

A few years ago I thought I'd get into building benchrest stocks. I carved this one out of some White Cedar and eventually fitted it with a Haverkamp dual port BR action and Jewell BR trigger. It was originally destined for our summer "Vintage BR" match (no PPCs!) and I had interviewed Mike Walker a couple weeks before he passed, so it was finished with some tributes to Mike and the Deuce caliber. It performed very well in Light Varmint & Sporter BR as a .222, so I figured it would make a good platform for validating the BR accuracy potential of the 20VT. I've shot several 3-shot groups in the zeros and small ones with it as I was load testing. I didn't quite get far enough with the testing to sport it at a registered BR match -- maybe next summer.

I fitted it with an 11 Twist Krieger barrel -- just the Varmint taper that they have in the ready-to-ship online store. I finished it at 24" long and threaded it for a muzzle brake / suppressor.

The scope is my 15x55NF Competition with fine cross hairs. Definitely not my favorite optic for a PD gun, but I swap it back and forth between the unlimited rail and this one for competition. It was definitely not a calm day... I dialed both turrets to their pegs, then was still holding off a couple feet. It wasn't a one-shot miracle, I dropped 10-15 shots within a foot of the dog before one finally connected.

I have a (semi) portable wooden bench I bought decades ago that I use in the field. The rest was just a slingshot-style with Protektor bags, not even the 3" BR bag.

Inside 300 yards, the hit ratio was nearly 100% even with the wind we had. The VarTarg takes PD hunting to a new level of fun.

Rod

 

[17VLD]

Thanks for sharing the photo,very nice rifle for a great cartridge.I bet it was wonderful to talk with Mike,bet he would have loved the VarTarg
Matt

 

[FJVance]

Very Nice

 

[DogBuster]

The Vartarg is a winner.......built mine in 2007.....

I run 40 V max & H322.......

Keep it shootin' great p/dog gun

here's a patch at 525 yds.....

 

[Nightraider]

Somewhere in the annals of this sight is a slew of pictures of me and a 20vt that killed over 300 ground Grizzlies in a year. Some beyond 800yd. Don't be fooled, the 20vt is a winner.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

How in the world did you get a laser to bounce off a PD at 796 yards on perfectly flat ground? Scan mode must have been running wild! Lol!

Great shooting

 

[Rube Shooter]

How in the world did you get a laser to bounce off a PD at 796 yards on perfectly flat ground? Scan mode must have been running wild! Lol!

Great shooting

I heard the shooter walked out to the dog and ranged back to the truck. My buddy was talking to the fellow who is standing next to the truck in the picture Saturday morning.

 

[Knifeman]

Got to love the 20 Vartarg!!