A 20 vartarg build.....

gobigorgohome

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So here's the idea, spin the barrel off my CZ 527 in 223, spin on some kind of 20 cal barrel and chamber it to a 20 vartarg.... so here's my question. Who here shoots a 20 vartarg? How do you like it? Who has the reamer and built yours? And what barrel would you use? I see Prophet River regularly has 20 VT dies and lapua 221 FB brass in stock, so reloading gear won't be too much of an issue..... input would be nice!
 
I have a 20 vartarg, and find it to provide excellent accuracy, and it doesn't heat up the barrel as quickly as the larger capacity 20 caliber cartridges. My rifle is a factory Cooper, and it averages well under 1/2moa. My rifle likes the 32gr Blitzking. If I wanted a CZ, I would probably just rebarrel a factory 527 in 221FB, to be sure that it feeds properly.
 
I have a 20 vartarg, and find it to provide excellent accuracy, and it doesn't heat up the barrel as quickly as the larger capacity 20 caliber cartridges. My rifle is a factory Cooper, and it averages well under 1/2moa. My rifle likes the 32gr Blitzking. If I wanted a CZ, I would probably just rebarrel a factory 527 in 221FB, to be sure that it feeds properly.


I should add.... it's a LH the 221 FB were only ever produced in a rH....
 
I also have a Model 38 Factory Cooper. It seems to be a very accurate cartridge - I've had good grouping with a variety of 32 gr bullets (running a little about 3600 fps if I remember correctly) as well as 40 gr vmax, I also have to 35 gr Berger to try. H4198 has been my go to powder (apparently AA2200 is a great powder as well, but I haven't been able to track any down). Lot of good information on the Saubier website.
I believe you will have to get the magazines for the 221 fireball as they will feed better (I remember reading that they were slightly different, but I can't confirm that).
 
I have a barrel and a reamer and one of these days I'm actually going to get around to building a 20 Vartarg Imp.

I've got a 221 FB but have been a bit underwhelmed by it. I've also got a 17FB that I really like so I'm thinking the Vartarg Imp might be a nice fit in between them.
 
I have a barrel and a reamer and one of these days I'm actually going to get around to building a 20 Vartarg Imp.

I've got a 221 FB but have been a bit underwhelmed by it. I've also got a 17FB that I really like so I'm thinking the Vartarg Imp might be a nice fit in between them.


I too have a 17 fireball but it's a little light for coyotes. And a little
NEAvy to carry as a rifle For beavers. So I hope the 20 vartarg will be the perfect middle ground....
 
Honest question. Do Cz .223 and Cz .221FB use the same mags? Does Cz use a spacer block of sorts for the shorter round? If so I'd imagine feeding would be a non issue. Tod kindler (sp) and the woodchuck den would be the place to check it his baby. Saubier.com would know the answer as well or be able to tell you the best action to use for problem free vartag builds
 
10 grains less powder and close to the same performance sounds like a good idea to me. There's the 20 practical too eh. I'm gonna look into it myself.
 
Wow a lot of 20 cals out there. 20 tactical as well. Except it's almost the same thing as the 204 is. I don't like the 32 grainers I prefer the 40's or even the 55 bergers with that high b.c!
 
I think I've looked at all the 20 cals.... multiple versions of the 20x22 hornet, 20x223, 20x222, 20x250, with every shoulders and improvement you can think of, but I am absolutely sold on the vartarg. The short case and high performance, availability for brass and dies, availability for reamers, everything, it suits my needs perfectly....
 
The 527 mags all appear the same and they will snap in, but they are blocked for the length of the specific round.
I am sure a mag stamped for a longer cartridge would hold and feed for a shorter cartridge, but not vice versa.
 
Honest question. Do Cz .223 and Cz .221FB use the same mags? Does Cz use a spacer block of sorts for the shorter round? If so I'd imagine feeding would be a non issue. Tod kindler (sp) and the woodchuck den would be the place to check it his baby. Saubier.com would know the answer as well or be able to tell you the best action to use for problem free vartag builds

I have a .221 fireball and a .204, in CZ 527, the mags are not interchangeable, I have had a go.
My understanding is that the .221 fireball and .222 have the same mags, and the .223 and .204 are slightly longer.

Like others, I too have a 20 vartarg, mine is a cooper M21, Got it this winter so no game shot, but its accurate and easy to load for, I am impressed, and looking forward to small game/gophers this summer. I already have a .17 fireball, great small game round.
H4198 and N120 are giving me 1/2" groups at 3600-3700 with 32g, 39gr at 3350

Before the above cooper fell in my lap, I was looking at my two Cz 527's, and fitting the .204 barrel, on to the fireball action, setting it back, and rechamber to 20 vartarg, May yet do it, as I would really like a 20 vartarg, on a repeater.
 
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