SmallCaliberCentral

Just got out to the range today to try out the new Cooper rifle and it didn’t disappoint
5 shot group during load testing is the best I think I have ever shot.

That's about typical for a Cooper in 20VT...well done there, trigger!

We've been extoling the virtues of the 20VT for years, good to see another convert. With a good shootin' 204 and a 20VT, for chucks and sage rats, you really don't need anything else unless you want a 17HMR for stuff inside of 200 yards.

Welcome to the cadre of happy 20VT shooters. Those who have never tried it just don't know what they're missing!

Thanks Rick....and you are right, they don’t know what they are missing. For inside 200...I break out my trusted 22 Hornet.

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Welcome to the cadre of happy 20VT shooters. Those who have never tried it just don't know what they're missing!
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Amen to that Rick.. And to add to Rick's comment, you are going to find you will be shooting that 20VT Cooper most of the time.. Enjoy. Bill K

I've heard Rick talk about the 20VT for sometime now...

Once upon a time....I was introduced to ground squirrel shooting right shortly after the 204 came out. On my first trip I borrowed a Ruger 77 in 204 and I became hooked. Shortly thereafter I picked up a CZ-527 American in 204 and quickly procured a Remington 700 in 204 with a thumbhole varmint stock & heavy barrel. I worked up a load and on a calm day, inside 300 yards the rats had no chance; they [and still do] shoot that good. With the Remington on a bench I could shoot and see the impacts. What more could one want?

Shortly afterwards, I found and joined this forum. It didn't take long for this man known as Rick V. started talking about the 20 VT; how good it was and so and so fourth. I could tell by his post that he wasn't a B/S'er and he knew what he was talking about whether it was reloading, accuracy tips, cartridges or what ever. Anyway, I finally asked him once along the lines; "why would someone want an inferior cartridge"? I mean, the 204 will do everything a 20VT will do and then some. Rick laid out the attributes and the one that caught my attention was the ballistics vs the powder charge.

I decided to take the hook. 20VT's weren't very plentiful and the wait time for a Cooper was longer than I wished for. At that time Remington 17 Fireballs could still be found so I got my hands on one and made me a custom 20VT.

Fast Forward to the present....I'm glad I took his advice because I've never looked back. I like the 204 but the 20VT is just something of its own and in fact, if the 204's could talk they'd probably tell me they're tired of being left in the safe all the time. FWIW, another fun cartridge equally as fun, is a 221 Fireball [Rick told me about those too]. I've been fortunate to procure two of those, both of them are Coopers.

Welcome to the 20VT cadre.

Well don't feel like the lone Ranger on that.. Myself and a shooting partner have followed the same rosey path Rick laid out. Are we sorry, NO, it was a great cartridge, and I know, like you a couple of my 204's sit more idle every year. But I did add a 17 Hornet and also a 17 Fireball into that fold and they go along with the 20 most of the time also. Bill K