What's the difference in between....
- Thread starter JamesnTN
- Start date
GAnderson
Gold $$ Contributor
James, the 20VT(VarTarg) is from the .221 Fireball case and the 20 Tactical is either made from 223 brass or there is some Dakota 20Tac brass around....I think. The 20Tac will be faster but the 20 VarTarg is a hoot to shoot. 400yds may be stretching the VT but the Tac would handle it. Both are very accurate, easy to find and tune a load for also.
Gene
Gene
Dave Berg said:
Don't get them confused!!!!!!!! This is correct... a 20 practical is the 223 just necked down to 20.... thats what so "PRACTICAL" easy to remember.... the 20 TACTICAL has a difference shoulder and takes more brass prep. Two different rounds.. the guys that posted above this quote are wrong.
Lots of people love the 20 vartarg! The brass isnt as easy to come by though like was mentioned! Its a great round, I dont have one but wish I did! Brass is the concern though... hard to find!
one big thing I would highly advise if you choose to go this route... experience talking... GET THE BRASS FIRST BEFORE YOU EVEN START THEE BUILD!!!! AND GET ENOUGH TO LAST STOCK PILED UP. if you can do that, then build it. If not, dont build it!
GAnderson
Gold $$ Contributor
Powder Valley and Midway both have Lapua 221 brass in stock....and have had for quite some time so I don't think availability is as much an issue as it used to be. The 20VT also requires a shoulder set back from 23 to 30 degrees....just need to run it thru a form die same as you would the 20Tac. Keep in mind that the old Remington 221 brass and the Lapua 221 brass have some subtle dimensional differences so if you are purchasing a reamer or an already chambered rifle, be sure to check out which brass the reamer or chamber have been cut for.
Gene
Gene
Since this is to be a custom, I would go a little different route. First, I agree with what was said above about getting the brass 1st because as was also said, the brass may affect some of your reamer dimensions. My recommendation departs after that. I would recommend, and I already have myself, that you go with the 20SCC/20-221FB AI or the 20-223AI. Both are easy to make fireform brass for, but would require custom sizing dies from Whidden's, CH4D or another custom die maker of your choice. Seating dies can easily be made from 204 Ruger Wilson seaters with your chambering reamer. Everybody who has gone the AI route seems to be very satisfied with the results and performance is exceptional. You would do well to read as much as you can find on saubier.com & the Small Caliber Club (SCC) before deciding what to do. In my experience over the past few years, I would recommend that you build on the 221FB based calibers, and order your barrel (3G11) from X-Caliber. I have had great success shooting PD's out to 400+ with the 20VT & 20-221FB AI, and the barrel doesn't heat up nearly as quickly as the 20TAC or 20-223AI. Good luck with your project & have fun. Joe
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Sniper338 said:
Well...his statement was kind of wrong, but not completely. The 20 Tactical is a 223 necked down, but the shoulder is blown out to 30 degrees instead of using the 23 degree 223 shoulder. The 20 Practical is just a 223 necked down with the same 23 degree shoulder of the 223. No fire forming takes place.
The 20 VarTarg is a 221 Fireball necked down to 20 cal, but employs a 30 degree shoulder as well. The Original 221 FB case also has a 23 degree shoulder. So basically a 20 Tactical is to a 223 what a 20 VarTarg is to a 221 Fireball.
However, the statement Sniper 338 made about "more" brass prep with the 20 Tactical is incorrect. With the 20 VarTarg, you just neck down 221 FB brass, load and shoot. The shoulder will blow out the extra 7 degrees after it's initial firing and you won't see any accuracy difference between virgin brass and formed brass. The 20 Tactical is the same. Just neck down 223 and shoot. When done, you will have your formed brass.
L.Sherm
Silver $$ Contributor
My advice James is whatever caliber you choose go with a bushing die then you can match the bushing to whatever brass and neck dia. You choose. If you like velocity then check out the 20 SCC it all boils down to preference between them I have the 20VT, 20pract, and 20SCC and like them all.
Bullets.com has the Norma 221FB in stock, and PVI also has nosler(expensive) as well as Lapua in stock. I should know, I"m building a 20VT myself. I thought about the 20 practical since I"ve got so much 223 brass, but keeping it all separate was going to be too much of a headache for me. Good luck with whichever one you build.
Thanks Everyone, I believe I'm going with the 20 VT and use Lapua brass. The rifle since I mentioned semi custom will most likely be a cooper, so I'm hoping there won't be an issue using Lapua cases in there rifles. I'll also use bushing sizing dies so I can somewhat size brass to fit the chamber and give it the neck tension it likes.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Sniper338 said:
Whats the extra case prep? All you do is neck it down and shoot it just like you do with the 20 VT or 20 Practical.
Bangs OH
Silver $$ Contributor
[/quote]
I would really like to see one of the major brands legitimize a 20 Hornet. All the advantages of the 19 Calhoon without the single source bullet problem and custom dies, etc. It would be a great cartridge for up to 250 yards, quiet, and fifty rounds would fit in a shirt pocket.
[/quote]
I thought I was the only person on earth praying for a .20 Hornet. Tried the .17 HH and was not impressed; wondered the whole time I had it - especially as I watched groundhogs struck by well-placed shots scamper or crawl away - why the hell they didn't make it a .20. Have .221 Fireballs now, but sometimes wish for a centerfire rifle with a quieter report. Would love a .19 Calhoon C-Z, but can't spend the $1400.
Howa could pull a coup in the small-cal. centerfire world by chambering their new mini-action rifles in .20 VarTarg, .20 Hornet, maybe the old .218 Bee, etc. Fat chance, as no mainstream rifle manufacturer will offer a rifle for wildcat cartridges or one that is perceived as being obsolete.
I would really like to see one of the major brands legitimize a 20 Hornet. All the advantages of the 19 Calhoon without the single source bullet problem and custom dies, etc. It would be a great cartridge for up to 250 yards, quiet, and fifty rounds would fit in a shirt pocket.
[/quote]
I thought I was the only person on earth praying for a .20 Hornet. Tried the .17 HH and was not impressed; wondered the whole time I had it - especially as I watched groundhogs struck by well-placed shots scamper or crawl away - why the hell they didn't make it a .20. Have .221 Fireballs now, but sometimes wish for a centerfire rifle with a quieter report. Would love a .19 Calhoon C-Z, but can't spend the $1400.
Howa could pull a coup in the small-cal. centerfire world by chambering their new mini-action rifles in .20 VarTarg, .20 Hornet, maybe the old .218 Bee, etc. Fat chance, as no mainstream rifle manufacturer will offer a rifle for wildcat cartridges or one that is perceived as being obsolete.
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