20 VT "factory" ammo? - sorry, not 204

[inKYfromSD]

Has anyone heard anything about this ammo? Was browsing Midway and ran across it. I've shot a lot of HSM .22 mag with no problems.

[Rick in Oregon]

HSM is decent stuff. We've seen some pretty good 223 and 204 groups shot with it, and the sage rats will testify to its effectiveness. The owner takes his ammo very seriously and is a shooter himself.

This is the first 'factory' 20VT fodder to hit the market. If it takes off, I'd imagine HSM will offer plastic-tipped offerings eventually as they do with the other 223 family of varmint cartridges. Seems pretty spendy, but may be worth it for some in the long run for convenience and the fireformed brass.

Wow, factory-loaded 20VT ammo......who wudda thunk?

[Bill K]

Maybe this is the beginning of a very good thing.. Factory ammo and more firearms chambered for our little favorite. Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

Not to take anything away from the 20 VT but all you guys that love the 20 VT should take a look at the 20-222 as well. I have owned both and really fell in love with the 20-222. All the performance capabilities of the 204 Ruger with 2 grains less powder.

[32dgrz]

If it takes off, I'd imagine HSM will offer plastic-tipped offerings eventually as they do with the other 223 family of varmint cartridges.

They do http://store.iqmetals.com/20vartarg32gr ... v-max.aspx

[Glen]

It may come in boxes of 50 like their 204R ammo. If that's the case it's not too bad. Maybe this ammo will get some non-reloaders off the fence on a 20VT. Could be a great thing for the round.

[Bill K]

If it takes off, I'd imagine HSM will offer plastic-tipped offerings eventually as they do with the other 223 family of varmint cartridges.

They do http://store.iqmetals.com/20vartarg32gr ... v-max.aspx

That would make this ammo about $1.00 or a little over, per round.. Think I would stick to reloading it. Unless, of course, I did not reload. Bill K

[Bill K]

Not to take anything away from the 20 VT but all you guys that love the 20 VT should take a look at the 20-222 as well. I have owned both and really fell in love with the 20-222. All the performance capabilities of the 204 Ruger with 2 grains less powder.

I am working on obtaining on in a Rem 700 action s/a I have in .223 (extra) I began working with a sponsor on this and another site to do the work, but had to place it on hold, as the wife's last physical showed onset of Parkinson's. So will back off til I see what and where we are going on that. But somewhere/somehow I will add a 20-222. Todd's 20VTT is about the same thing and he talks is up in his book also. BIll K

[wirelessguy2005]

Bill,
Sorry to hear about your wife, i sure hope things work out ok. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

I am not surprised that Todd speaks highly of the 20vtt, it is a super fun cartridge. When i first started working up loads for my 20-222 improved i used some of the load data from Ramshots manual for the 20vtt. with starting loads it was producing groups around .300 at 100 yards. Its scary accurate, i look forward to more load development in the spring. For anyone that is wondering its super easy to form the brass. For the 20-222 improved all you need is a set of 20 vartarg dies to form and load the brass. It doesn't get much easier than that for a wildcat. I know of a couple other 20-222 owners that are getting 4100+ fps with 32 grain bullets out of their 20-222's. They are using H4198 powder and getting 6+ loads out of their winchester brass with minimal case stretch and no primer pocket loosening.

Not to take anything away from the 20 VT but all you guys that love the 20 VT should take a look at the 20-222 as well. I have owned both and really fell in love with the 20-222. All the performance capabilities of the 204 Ruger with 2 grains less powder.

I am working on obtaining on in a Rem 700 action s/a I have in .223 (extra) I began working with a sponsor on this and another site to do the work, but had to place it on hold, as the wife's last physical showed onset of Parkinson's. So will back off til I see what and where we are going on that. But somewhere/somehow I will add a 20-222. Todd's 20VTT is about the same thing and he talks is up in his book also. BIll K

[Bill K]

I do not have all the measurements, etc. on the 20-222, but you mention 20-222 improved and the use of 20VT dies. Does than mean that the 20-222 is of the same shoulder angle (Must be) 30degrees as the 20VT ? In that case it would be a easy case to form and load for.. Interested in what RIO has to say also, if he wants to chime in with info. Thank you guys,
As for the wife, not a lot a person can do, medication will control the tremors and we will learn to live with it. Both of us will just grow old together, as if we are not right up there. (she 70yrs, me going on 75).. Thank you for the kind words.. Bill K

[wirelessguy2005]

the 20-222 improved has a 30 degree shoulder like the 20vt and you can use the 20 vt dies for forming and loading, the standard 20-222 has a 23 degree shoulder and would require the use of a Redding 222 type s neck die with the appropriate bushings to neck down brass. In my opinion its a good move to step up to a 20-222 improved if you are going to build one. It makes even more sense for guys like yourself that already have the 20vt dies. Once you get the die set to the correct height you lock it down and start sizing brass. Changing the 222 winchester brass to 20-222 improved is a one step process just like forming 20vt brass from 221 fireball. Just my 2 cents

[Bill K]

Makes sense, I want to stay with the 20's.. the 204, 20vt are great as is, so another 20 in the 20-222 should be a good addition, on day. Thank you for the input. Bill K

[hemiallen]

I sent my 17 remington Cooper back for a once over, and the ammo they used after refurbishing the gun was HSM ammo, 20 Hp. I bought a box of 50, found the case necks in need of a good outside chamfer, but other than that it seems like good ammo. I haven't been able to duplicate their indoor target(s) they returned the gun with, both sub .2" ragged hole groups. I even swapped scopes after the first dissapointing range session as it had a "new to me " scope, but a second session didn't improve much. Half inch is ok, I'd just like to duplicate their test target ( with reloads would be better), but the 17 rem will take a back burner now to my 2- 17 fireballs and a 17 AH and 22k Hornet I need load development on first. I did get one group that 2 were in the same, slightly oblong hole, just couldn't get #3 ot follow the others to the paper, but I did pop a Rabbit that wandered behind my bullet trap ( over 250 yd head shot) and the ammo seemed to work ok...lol


Allen

[Bill K]

As for Cooper's groups, I believe I have read and heard that there test target is shot at 43 yrds. Now this could be rumor and not fact. Someone on this site should know for sure and give the straight scoop..on that.
As for your grouping, what is wrong with 1/2 inch ? Head shot at the rabbit, sounds pretty good shooting to me. Just enjoy and have fun working with the rifle and playing with loads. Bill K

[Sth Oz Dan]

Bill - Off topic, but I know a guy that was once fairly fit and energetic. Parkinsons sent him on a rapid downhill slide. The shakes were uncontrollable and he had trouble holding a conversation.
He had surgery - they actually cut his skull, attached some electronic gizmo, tuned it in, and the shakes stopped.
At seventy something, he is now driving trucks at a mine site, and living a very full life again.
It was a long road for his family and friends, but once they discovered the surgery, the change was amazing.
I hope your wife pulls through okay mate.