20VT from .223

[Bill K]

Waiting for a response from RCBS re. forming, file trim dies to make 20VT (221FB) case's out of 223 brass. In the meantime any of you do this, have such a set of forming dies and from where, if so ? 20VT (221fb) brass is getting very hard to locate. Thank you. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

Bill, Adam Bentley from both here and over on Saubier is making 20VT brass from LC 5.56 brass, and is is VERY good stuff. He's just using the usual form die set from Redding I believe, same as I am. (His handle: ab_bentley)

The F/L die is used by some to reduce to 20VT, then using a Harbor Freight chop saw or jewlers saw to trim the excessive brass from the neck, then they must be neck turned of course, as they'd be much too thick to fit in the VT chamber unless turned. I like to reduce the neck in two steps, using the Redding Body Die for the first step, then either the bushing neck die (what I use) or a F/L die for the final neck reduction.

Either way though, plan on neck turning if you plan to make 20VT brass from 223. I'm working on a plan to make up a buch from Lapua 223 brass soon......

[Bill K]

Ah, Thank you Rick.. Will check out Reddings site for a form die.. I sort of figured the necks would need turned. I will go from there. Again thank you. Bill K

[Bill K]

Rick... A check of the site, shows #90101 Form#1 and a 83101 trim die. That would take down the 223 to 20vt. Then the usual neck turning, to produce the case, Correct ? No other die, etc. needed, other than trim to length,anneal,etc. as ususal. Should have known you would have a answer to my original guestion.... Thanks again. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

Bill.....The Redding 20VT die set I'm using consists of: Body Die (use as first form die), Bushing Neck Die (w/ .226" bushing - using the expander left loose to self-center), and their Comp Seater....nuthin' else. I'm neck turning then annealing last prior to loading.

So far, I've prepped/formed and fired my lot of 650 cases numerous times in the field at Skippy and his pals for two seasons now; no case or load issues whatever. The little rifle still shoots bugholes with these cases....just like most 20VT's seem to do.

[Bill K]

Sounds good. Will work on that line.. I am glad you did turn me onto the 20VT, as you say it is one fine little cartridge. I know I am sure enjoying mine.. This winter I will add a Pac-nor barrel in it onto my short action Rem 700, which is a 223 right now. Thank you again for the assist and info. Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

Bill,

We keep a stock of 20 vt dies if you are in need. We have the Redding form die for stepping down 223 to 221, we also keep the Redding FL 20 VT die, a 20 VT Type S Neck Die, and a 20 VT seater die. Just let me know if we can be of any assistance.

[Jim White]

Sounds good. Will work on that line.. I am glad you did turn me onto the 20VT, as you say it is one fine little cartridge. I know I am sure enjoying mine.. This winter I will add a Pac-nor barrel in it onto my short action Rem 700, which is a 223 right now. Thank you again for the assist and info. Bill K

Bill,

I would be interested in hearing how the 223 to 20 VT conversion works out if you're going to make it into a repeater.

Jim

[Bill K]

Sounds good. Will work on that line.. I am glad you did turn me onto the 20VT, as you say it is one fine little cartridge. I know I am sure enjoying mine.. This winter I will add a Pac-nor barrel in it onto my short action Rem 700, which is a 223 right now. Thank you again for the assist and info. Bill K

Bill,

I would be interested in hearing how the 223 to 20 VT conversion works out if you're going to make it into a repeater.

Jim

I have known of a couple guys that have went to the 20VT in a short action and had no problem feeding out of the magazine, so I do not expect any problems with the short action 700 in .223. I guess I will find out, for sure, down the road. Bill K

[bow shot]

Anyone see that stuff about the 20 practical? I think its 223 Rem just necked down to .20. Sounds... likeable!

I think I saw it in article format on AccurateShooter.com?

[wirelessguy2005]

the 20 practical and 20 tactical are both excellent cartridges. I personally like the 204 ruger, however the 20 tac and 20 prac are more efficient and also use .223 brass which is easier to find and less expensive than 204 brass.

Anyone see that stuff about the 20 practical? I think its 223 Rem just necked down to .20. Sounds... likeable!

I think I saw it in article format on AccurateShooter.com?

[Rick in Oregon]

Another advantage however small, for both the Tac 20 and the 20 Practical, is that Lapua brass is available as 223 Rem for the parent round. That fact alone has steered some away from the 204R, as both come very close to matching the 204's performance, and do it with much better quality brass.

Of course, you can also use 223 Lapua brass (or Norma/Nosler) to form 20VT brass too, and have a much better alternative to R-P 221FB brass, albeit with some extra work involved.

[bow shot]

Considering Tac or Prac for my next money eater!