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Old 07-19-2019, 07:44 PM
20VarTarg 20VarTarg is offline
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Default 20 VarTarg.....Is it the BEST all around varmint cartridge????

I like a good debate and learning new things. While I was in my reloading room late last night I got to thinking about the best all around varmint cartridge. I own a 17AH, 218 Mashburn Bee, and a 20VT. All in a Cooper Model 38. I also like the 20 VT so much I built a custom gun chambered in it. Crazy as it is, all 4 of these rifles shoot the exact same powder the best for me. So I got to thinking about the best all around varmint cartridge. In doing so, I was figuring cost of shooting said caliber. Range of each caliber, bullet drift, barrel life, how warm they get with prolonged shooting. And lets not forget about speed and accuracy. Out of the 3 rifles I own the 20 VT hands down is the winner on every single category. I am really into the wildcats and will be for many many years to come. So if I was to go after another wildcat what should I go for??? The 20VT has a range of 500 yds. Minimal powder usage, little recoil, barrel doesn't warm up. It's my favorite caliber ever. But someone please tell me what will beat it and what I should build next! I'm intrigued with the .19 caliber stuff and also the 20 tactical!
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Old 07-19-2019, 09:15 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Day in and day out, for 90 % of most of our varmint shooting, the 20 VT will do just fine.
If you want a little more smack beyond 400 then moving up to a 20 Tac, 20 Practical or the improved version will give you that, but also with more recoil and powder burnt.
I do have a 20-223 (40 degree) improved, but the 20VT/20SCC is still shot 90 % more often. Bill K
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Old 07-19-2019, 09:20 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Default 20vt

Best all around?
Depends on the criteria used to define best.
I have two 20 VTs, a custom Rem 700 sporter that was originally a 221 fb. It’s a great gun. The other is a Rem XR100 rebarreled and chambered to 20 vt. Both are super accurate.
I would call it a great cartridge, but will take the 204 Ruger ahead of it. And some of the 22s if I’m after coyotes.
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Old 07-19-2019, 09:36 PM
20VarTarg 20VarTarg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill K View Post
Day in and day out, for 90 % of most of our varmint shooting, the 20 VT will do just fine.
If you want a little more smack beyond 400 then moving up to a 20 Tac, 20 Practical or the improved version will give you that, but also with more recoil and powder burnt.
I do have a 20-223 (40 degree) improved, but the 20VT/20SCC is still shot 90 % more often. Bill K
Bill I really need to make a trip far west and see some of what you have!!! It would be worth the trip just to go target shooting all the odd ball stuff you have!
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Old 07-19-2019, 09:37 PM
20VarTarg 20VarTarg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by df06 View Post
Best all around?
Depends on the criteria used to define best.
I have two 20 VTs, a custom Rem 700 sporter that was originally a 221 fb. It’s a great gun. The other is a Rem XR100 rebarreled and chambered to 20 vt. Both are super accurate.
I would call it a great cartridge, but will take the 204 Ruger ahead of it. And some of the 22s if I’m after coyotes.
What other 22's do you shoot??? I have a feeling that I will have either a .204 Ruger or 20 Practical as my next rifle. Of course, it'll be a Cooper most likely.
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Old 07-19-2019, 10:32 PM
cmatera cmatera is offline
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20-222 no turn neck fast twisted 3 groove threaded for a suppressor. If I do another, that will be it. Quality brass, decent bullet selection. Can go heavier or lighter bullets depending on the varmint.
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Old 07-19-2019, 11:24 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 20VarTarg View Post
What other 22's do you shoot??? I have a feeling that I will have either a .204 Ruger or 20 Practical as my next rifle. Of course, it'll be a Cooper most likely.
I shoot these 22s, 22H, 221fb, 223, 22ppc, 22/250, 220swift.

The 204 is a great cartridge for PDs and coyotes.
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Old 07-20-2019, 01:33 AM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 20VarTarg View Post
Bill I really need to make a trip far west and see some of what you have!!! It would be worth the trip just to go target shooting all the odd ball stuff you have!
Not so odd ball, or I don't think so anyway. in 22 cal. 22lr, 223 R, 223 AI, 224 Valkarie, 221 Fire Ball & 22-250.

In 17cal. 17HMR, 17 Hornet & 17 Fireball.

In 20 cal. 20 VT, 20 SCC, 20-223 AI, 20 Tac, 20 Practical and 204 R. Then some larger calibers from 6.8SPC, 30 cal, 375 cal. Bill K (Note.. some of these cartridges are also in pistol and carbine barrels on my TC's )

Last edited by Bill K; 07-20-2019 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 07-20-2019, 02:12 AM
B23 B23 is offline
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I think the "best" label is probably what's best, for or to, that particular shooter.

My centerfire "varmint/predator" guns are 17 Hornet, 20-222, 20-250, 223, 223AI, 22-250, 22-6mm (technically this one is my dads but it's spent most of its life in my safe), 224 Terminator (variant of the 22-243), 6-284, and 6-06AI (also technically my dad's but it lives in my safe). Used to have a 17 Rem and 204 Ruger, also. For me, I could never, honestly, label one "the best" and I like each and everyone of them the same.

On another forum a similar question was asked and my reply there is the same as it would be here, of those that I currently have, if I could ONLY keep one, I'd probably have to say my 6-284, but only because it's the most versatile and easiest to make and load for.
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Old 07-20-2019, 02:37 AM
Screaminweasil Screaminweasil is offline
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I've considered the Vartarg..........but recently running down the .19 caliber "rabbit hole", I would really like to stay with .19 cal and 22 caliber for my "small caliber reloading".
I had a 204.........more than once. Didn't raise my heart rate for whatever reasons. I found I'd rather shoot my Kimber 223's.
Often times, the rifle i'm holding outways the cartridge it is chambered in for me. I have an 1885 Browning .22 hornet (that would be so much better in a .19 calhoon hornet). However, some times it's nice to have a variety, so I'll leave it a .22 hornet.


I currently shoot
.22LR (too many to list....favorite is Kimber K22 Hunter)
.22 Magnum (Ruger 77/22 sporter walnut, custom green mountain stainless fluted)
.17 WSM (Ruger 77/22 Varmint Walnut) (Custom MGM Stainless T/C contender Carbine)

Varmint Rifle Centerfires:
.19 Calhoon Hornet (Browning A bolt Custom Pacnor Gre-Tan)

.22 Mink (Browning A bolt custom X caliber (Dresden Gun Co...."Adam Bentley" barreled/chambered)
.22 Hornet (1885 Browning, Browning A bolt Micro Medallion)
.22 K Hornet (Ruger 77/22 K hornet sporter walnut.....smith unkown....Tack Driver)

.222 Rem (Cz 527 Varmint Laminate stock...........will be for SALE in the near future)
.223 Rem (I have 3 Kimber 84 Longmaster Classics....heavy/stainless/fluted) (Browning Abolt Micro Medallion) (New England Handi....chopped Barrel to 17" *truck gun) (Kimber Montana 223)
.22 PPC (Ruger Number 1V ....factory config....rare)

Bigger stuff.........
.243 Win.... (Howa Alpines Plural)
25-06 Rem (Kimber 8400 Classic)
.308 Win (Kimber 84 Classic Select)
30-30 Win (Marlin Marauder Lever)
44 Mag (Marlin Lever)
45-70 (Marlin LTD-II Octagon)


It's interesting how we all have our preferences to accomplish a similar/same goal.

Varmint Cartridges I have owned/loaded for that I no longer have due to preference for others I kept...........
.17 Hornady Hornet
.17 Remington
.221 Fireball

As far as "best varmint cartridge".............doesn't exist, but the fun part is trying to find it.
Next on my list...............19 BADGER

Last edited by Screaminweasil; 07-20-2019 at 03:40 PM.
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