Vartarg vs 20P

[Bat Rastard]

Contemplating a 20.

The VT is way cool.
The 20P brass is monumentally easier to source.

My question is:
Does the cool factor outweigh the work needed to make VT brass?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GLShooter]

It would not be for me. I shoot both the 20 P and 20 T and looking at the VT's lack of cheap easily available brass ruled it out for me plus the other two have a bit more available in the velocity department.

 

[K9TXS]

I have a 20 VT & 20 Practical. The VT is my favorite and is what I start with in the PD fields. Both handguns have 15" barrels and brakes. The recoil is mild on both, but I put brakes on them to make it as easy as possible to see my hits and misses since I hunt alone.

I formed up a lot of VT brass when I first started and haven't had to make up any additional brass so far. I really like the VT for it's very mild recoil and flat shooting. On a low power, I can easily see my hits and misses. If I had to do it over again, I would just make a .20 Fireball. It would still be very flat shooting and much easier to form brass. A 20 Fireball would take a lot of steps out of forming up VT brass.

My .20 Practical is also very accurate and flat shooting. There is definitely a little more recoil on the Practical. Even on low power, it is sometimes difficult to see a hit or miss.

 

[RegionRat]

Making a set of brass for the VT is a little project and once you have done it you will run the life of the barrel. You will have to hunt down good brass, but then it is a done deal.

The 20P is the easy button. You make a set with good virgin brass and you are done for the life of the barrel. My guess is you should get this one going first while you work on the VT.

Life is too short to worry about the difference. Get going with one and then do the other one too. When you are too old and sick to shoot, you will look back and be glad you did it for the experience. Carpe Diem!

 

[Rick300]

20 Vartarg hands down. I have both and I always reach for the VT first. I have several 400 yard plus hits on squirrels with it. Once you have one, well, you will want another. I'm in the middle of making 1,000 more VT cases right now and it's a LOT of work! A perfect winter project. The easy way would be to buy some brass from here on the forum. Nothing like having a rifle that just makes you giggle every time you shoot it.

 

[dbingen]

20 VT=32 gr. projectiles.
20 Pract.= 40 gr. projectiles.
The best of both worlds.

 

[ricco1949]

20 VT=32 gr. projectiles.
20 Pract.= 40 gr. projectiles.
The best of both worlds.

I agree even though I've always loaded 40 VMs or 39 TNTs in the VT.

I did try some of my friends 32 VMs one PM PDn last season when I had a brain fade forgetting to replenish my 20 VT ammo box overnight. I never felt that I was handicapped out to 250y with the 32s.

I've recently loaded up 500 32s for 1st trip next PD season for a side by side comparison.

And I'm adding a 20 Tactical to the mix that will be loaded with 40 VMs. It's been sitting on my bench for a few years just needing it's clear coat...... Rome wasn't built in a day ya know.

 

[Oso]

Deciding factor… what type of firearm are you planning to use for this cartridge???

If it starts with “AR” then 20 Practical.
If it is AICS Mags or similar full size mags then 20 Practical.

Fly in Ointment: … or… 20 Grendel (neck down 22ARC cases)

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Yes the 20P hits the easy button and is a good all around performer. Brass? No problemo.

But for even longer barrel life, almost zero recoil, miserly on powder, incredibley accurate, the 20VT is just plain fun to shoot, period. Yes, brass can be a bit of a hassle, but as has been mentioned, you can either make it yourself or buy it fully ready to load from members here.

My 20VT (Cooper M38) has just over 5k rounds downrange, and still shoots in the 1/4" range. Can't say that about any of my other varmint rifles. And burning 18.5grs of powder, a pound goes a very long way, and considering the cost of the stuff now, that's no small deal.

Once you have a 20VT, you'll know what all the fuss is about. Your friends will be able to tell by the smile on your face. Having both is good, but you'll find you shoot the 20VT more.....seen it myself.

 

[L.Sherm]

Cool factor 20SCC ( 20-221AI)
VT on the left, " new" 20SCC middle and fired on the right.

 

[Richard Jones]

VT, because, well, because it's cooler and not as many people have them. That's always been good enough for me!

@Rick300 "Nothing like having a rifle that just makes you giggle every time you shoot it." That's a classic right there, my friend.................

 

[linebaugh]

Have 20ppc and 20 VT. Like them both but there is just something about the 20VT that presses my happy button. Longer bbl life and less powder use on the VT but if you feel the need for speed step it up to 20P.
I keep wishing someone like starline would manufacture it or lapua would make a yearly run to keep us 221 lovers in brass. I may have a lifetime supply for both but I like to make sure I have extra just in case. Lol

 

[L.Sherm]

Only problem with Lapua fireball brass in a VT you gotta have a different reamer than the " normal" VT to avoid clickers.
The LC brass i make i will stack up against the Lapua, you cut just about the top half of the 223 case off then cut out the crimp you pretty much got uniformed PP and turned necks.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Cool factor 20SCC ( 20-221AI)
VT on the left, " new" 20SCC middle and fired on the right.

Thats a sexy looking case

 

[L.Sherm]

Thats a sexy looking case

Its a bit of an over achiever for its size.

 

[TheCZKid]

I've got both the 20P and the 20VT, and hands down, the Vartarg is my favorite. The 20 Practical is very easy to make and is very accurate. But, the Vartarg uses very little powder, has low recoil and is easy to track hits, is very accurate. I make my own VT brass, from LC as L.Sherm does, and they last. Myself and other sell 20VT brass here, so if you don't want to make it, then you can get good brass here, cry once, and "giggle" after that!

 

[TOObuilder]

I don’t have a 20P but love my 20 Vartarg. I just scored a very nice used Zeiss V4 Conquest 6-24x50. I put all my new scopes on the 20 VT as it is my scope evaluation rifle. It passed the test and gave the Vartarg smile once again!

I started with Remington 221FB brass years ago when you could actually find it. I’ve had no issues with it and great accuracy. I then stocked up on Lapua 221FB brass when that was available. The necks are thicker on the Lapua and I have to turn them to work in my rifle. I also have a bunch that was made from Lake City 223. I clean the necks up on those as well.