Vartarg Question

[Mark M.]

I have a Bartlein 20 cal barrel 10 twist, would make a good barrel for the 20 vartarg?

 

[Evan]

Yes. Vartarg is the answer to every 20 caliber question, and many 22 questions too.

 

[johnfred1965]

What He said!!

 

[hunter67]

+1 on post 2

 

[JIANDAO]

Vartarg rocks...Adam Bentley is the smith to contact

 

[K9TXS]

Most folks use a 12 twist barrel. I just had two rifles rebarreled by Pac-Nor and went to the 11 twist barrel so I could use a little heavier bullet. Your 10 twist should work out great, especially for 40 grainers.

 

[Evan]

I have a 9 twist. It shoots 40s fantastically! I have some 55gn to try, just haven't yet. Them being discontinued took the wind out of my sails.

 

[shoot4fun]

Well, I fell for the Vartarg once. I read all the hype, perused the load data showing fantastic efficiency and jumped on the band wagon.
Then I started looking for those velocity numbers everyone claimed. Couldn't even get close. The barrel was a great shooter but vartarg just wouldn't move like I thought it should've. It became the best shooting, most awesome bullet slinging, 204 Ruger I ever owned. Oh, that solved the velocity issue!

 

[Evan]

Well, I fell for the Vartarg once. I read all the hype, perused the load data showing fantastic efficiency and jumped on the band wagon.
Then I started looking for those velocity numbers everyone claimed. Couldn't even get close. The barrel was a great shooter but vartarg just wouldn't move like I thought it should've. It became the best shooting, most awesome bullet slinging, 204 Ruger I ever owned. Oh, that solved the velocity issue!

I can tell you why you were disappointed: you used a chronograph! Folks claiming big numbers are being silly. It's very efficient but it doesn't break the rules of the universe. It's like the guys claiming the 6.5x47 can match a 260 Remington. Simply not true; 10 grains of powder is A LOT of difference in velocity. But just as in this case, the smaller cartridge seems to shoot more consistently accurate with less effort.

I don't care how fast it shoots them, cause they make it to 300yards with plenty of oomph left and similar drift and drop as my 22-250 running 50 vmax at a moderate 3500fps. Mine shoots superbly accurate at that distance with 1" being an obtainable goal and most days yield at least one sub 0.5" group.

 

[hunter67]

I am at 150 rds down the tube on my VT. I shoot 34gr dogtowns as they are cheap and they shoot. I screened it for the first time this week and averaged 3636 fps. I will take that with 18.5 grs powder and great accuracy.

 

[DogBuster]

been running a Vartarg for 12 years now.........although a 12 twist.....

still a favorite.....was a 204R in previous chamber

 

[shoot4fun]

Looking at where the biggest VT fans live makes it appear the efficiency of the VT can provide speed as well IF you are out West.
There is a big difference in the abilities of rounds like VT and the 17 Ackley Hornet at high altitudes than here at 400' ASL. I love my 17AH but wish I had waited that one year so I could have done mine in 17HH.

 

[steve123]

Sometimes you just get a slow barrel or for whatever reason the brass won't hold up and shows pressure sooner.

Just for reference with my 20-221 AI I'm at 3735 fps with 32 vmax out of a 21" 11 twist. This is with 18.8 grains of H4198 and is a medium load.

 

[Tom Blue]

I use a PacNor 10 twist barrel and am very happy with results with both 32 and 40 grain bullets.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I can tell you why you were disappointed: you used a chronograph! Folks claiming big numbers are being silly. It's very efficient but it doesn't break the rules of the universe. It's like the guys claiming the 6.5x47 can match a 260 Remington. Simply not true; 10 grains of powder is A LOT of difference in velocity. But just as in this case, the smaller cartridge seems to shoot more consistently accurate with less effort.

I don't care how fast it shoots them, cause they make it to 300yards with plenty of oomph left and similar drift and drop as my 22-250 running 50 vmax at a moderate 3500fps. Mine shoots superbly accurate at that distance with 1" being an obtainable goal and most days yield at least one sub 0.5" group.

I use Sierra 32 gr BK in my Vartarg at 3700 and the worst group I could get was .6" and the best was a one hole group that was hard to tell more than one bullet went thru. It is accurate and efficient and quickly became my favorite for groundhogs

 

[Mark W]

I’ve been intrigued by the little VarTarg ever since an old guy at the range let me shoot his a few years ago. Personally, if I’m building one it’s going to be on a 12 Twist for 32s. If had a faster twist barrel on hand or I just wanted to shoot heavier bullets, I would just go ahead and build a 20 Practical or 204R so as to not handicap my velocity with such a small case.

 

[chuckshooter]

I’ve been intrigued by the little VarTarg ever since an old guy at the range let me shoot his a few years ago. Personally, if I’m building one it’s going to be on a 12 Twist for 32s. If had a faster twist barrel on hand or I just wanted to shoot heavier bullets, I would just go ahead and build a 20 Practical or 204R so as to not handicap my velocity with such a small case.

my four vartargs shoot 32gr vmax's, and 3 of my 5 20p's and 20tac's shoot 40gr vmax's, 2 of my 4 204's shoot 40's. in my opinion if you want to shoot heavier bullets move up to the next choice. vartargs like 12t and 32's. I know someone will post they have a 8 twist shooting a 60 grain bullet, but why

 

[Bill K]

10 to 12 twist will work with the VarTargs. Most seem to favor the 1/11 twist, but your 1/12 will work just fine. Enjoy the VarTarg.

 

[Nightraider]

We're currently driving 40s @ 3850 with lapua brass and AA2200 in a few rifles. All of them have several kills over 800yd on ground hogs and prairie dogs. On one of my barrels I've got shy of 3500rd on it and it'll still tag an 8" plate at 650yd on command.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Why not go 20 practical, same brass,less work, same bullets, more velocity potential.