Vote: To Gunsmith; Make the barrel 20 Practical or 20 Vartarg?

[Colt Kodiak]

I would love to hear everyone's vote here.

 

[B23]

I think it'll largely depend on what you plan to use the rifle for. If high volume shooting at smaller critters is on the menu the 20 VT with any of the 32's sure seems to fit the bill, but if you are looking for something to maybe shoot a little heavier bullet in so you can reach out a bit further or you want something that's a bit more potent once it gets there, the 20 Practical would be the next step up.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

There are two things; He just produced a 20VT for me and another one would be the identical twin. And, a friend gave me over 700 rounds of 20 Practical reloads. All with VV133 powder and 32 grain Vmax.

 

[B23]

There are two things; He just produced a 20VT for me and another one would be the identical twin. And, a friend gave me over 700 rounds of 20 Practical reloads. All with VV133 powder and 32 grain Vmax.

Well it kinda sounds like you've already got your mind made up and you're maybe just looking for a little extra nudge so if it helps put your mind at ease, yes, I 100% think you should go ahead and have a 20 Practical built, 100%!!!!

It's ok, I sometimes need a little extra reassurance from others to justify my builds to myself, too.

As a gunsmith friend of mine always tells me, there are worse things you can spend you money on. lol

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Well it kinda sounds like you've already got your mind made up and you're maybe just looking for a little extra nudge so if it helps put your mind at ease, yes, I 100% think you should go ahead and have a 20 Practical built, 100%!!!!

It's ok, I sometimes need a little extra reassurance from others to justify my builds to myself, too.

As a gunsmith friend of mine always tells me, there are worse things you can spend you money on. lol

Yes, you are kind of correct. My gunsmith had to order a 20 Practical reamer and he absolutely loves the 20VT. He wanted to build me another one. Old gunsmiths are not always correct!

 

[pacificman]

you need to have both calibers as they are both awesome for prairie rats and they are both inherently accurate.
You can form .223 brass into both calibers which has been fun for me and the least expensive. I have two 20 practicals
and one 20VT...I think I will always own at least one of each...they are that fun!

 

[Colt Kodiak]

you need to have both calibers as they are both awesome for prairie rats and they are both inherently accurate.
You can form .223 brass into both calibers which has been fun for me and the least expensive. I have two 20 practicals
and one 20VT...I think I will always own at least one of each...they are that fun!

Thanks for the vote. I didn't know you could form 20Vt from .223 brass, but it makes sense. What are your loads for both?

 

[pacificman]

My load for the 20VT is 18.0 grains of H4198 with 32gr. v-max. I use 24.0 grains of RL10X with 40gr. v-max in
one 20practical and 22.5 grains of the same powder in the other with the same 40gr. v-max. I'm getting 3850fps.
in one 20prac. and 3625fps. in the other. They are both very accurate...you will be glad to have at least one of each.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

My load for the 20VT is 18.0 grains of H4198 with 32gr. v-max. I use 24.0 grains of RL10X with 40gr. v-max in
one 20practical and 22.5 grains of the same powder in the other with the same 40gr. v-max. I'm getting 3850fps.
in one 20prac. and 3625fps. in the other. They are both very accurate...you will be glad to have at least one of each.

Nice! I'm about 18.3 grains with H4198 in my 20Vt. Have VV133 for the Practical if I order it. I think I will. Thanks.

 

[redrockranger]

dimwit

Go with with the 20 Practical. So simple,abundunt brass, and will handle the 40 gr bullets better in the wind. 11 twist barrel are ideal.

 

[DogBuster]

have used both for the last 10 yrs now........

my vote.........20-222.............

 

[jepp2]

I didn't know you could form 20Vt from .223 brass

But don't you have to turn the necks if you go this route?

I have always wanted a 20Vt, but the extra effort to form the brass and less options for pre-chambered barrels has kept me using the 20P. But I am a high volume shooter.

 

[jepp2]

my vote.........20-222.............

20 Bobcat, even better!

 

[Hoodoo]

If you already have a VT, I think you should try the Practical. It's become my favorite round to shoot. Someday I want to try the Vartarg, but I think I will always have one of each.

Bottom line, regardless of what you choice, you can't go wrong with a 20 cal!

 

[moondog]

Love my VarTarg! Hated the 204Ruger parent rifle. got to hot to fast.
Vartarg, suppressed of course!

 

[steve123]

Love my VarTarg! Hated the 204Ruger parent rifle. got to hot to fast.
Vartarg, suppressed of course!

20P sounds good too, I'd go for a 9 twist to shoot the 40's and 55's once those 32's are all shot.

 

[nmkid]

I went with an 11 twist on my 20P. Shoots small groups.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Both cartridges are great but I will add one thing, go Ackley improved on both. I have the 20SCC which is a 20vt Ackley and the 20-223ai. Both are super simple to make brass for and you get the added benefit of longer brass life with less case growth due to the 40 degree shoulder.

 

[jds holler]

have used both for the last 10 yrs now........

my vote.........20-222.............

Yeah Baby!! A sweeter version of the 20 cal. There is an increasing body of proof showing that squirrels, chucks, and coyotes prefer to be killed by 222's in general, and by 20-222 Plain Janes in particular.

Since I put mine together, I hardly have to pay attention to spit out a sub .5 MOA group. Chicks seem to hang on my every word, and my dog quit barking as much. -- I'll second this vote! jd