20 vartarg

[triggerfingers]

Ned some help.....I was thinking of getting my Remington 700 Varmint in 204 Ruger re-barreled in 20 vartarg. Would you recommend a 24” barrel or a different length? Would you get a new barrel or use the old one and get it chambered in 20 vartarg? Any thoughts are welcome.

[Bill K]

24 inch is fine. If you go with a new one, go with a 3 groove, 1/11 twist also. Just works well with the 20's and the 3 groove is so easy to clean. Have a good gunsmith or someone with a bore scope check out the bore on your 204 barrel, if it is good, then you could just have it set back, chambered for the VT and be set.
However with a few more pennies you could just about obtain a new barrel for what the cost of set back/re-chamber, etc will be. Your choice. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

Excellent choice going with the 20VT; you'll wonder why you waited so long.

Using a factory barrel is a crap shoot for a project like yours. With the cost of removing/rechambering/rethreading and installing, you'll be just a few bucks short of using a custom barrel with almost guaranteed accuracy results. No guarantee of what you'll get with the factory barrel. Remington's QC has not been stellar lately. You can then sell the take-off barrel to offset the cost of a custom tube.

If it were me, I'd order a Pac-Nor SS Super Match, 24" finished length barrel with the3-groove 11-twist as Bill mentioned.

Enjoy that 20VT.....I'm still in love with mine. Skippy and his pals......not so much.

[triggerfingers]

Funny you should say that....I was looking at PAC-Nor SS match just this morning.

[Bill K]

Funny you should say that....I was looking at PAC-Nor SS match just this morning.

Great, now do not hesitate, run and make the order, You will not be sorry. Bill K

[triggerfingers]

Ok guys..... you have talked me into doing this. This is what I have on the barrel order so far. Need to measure the contour so it will fit the stock. Getting ready to order 221 fireball brass and a set of dies. Anything else I’m missing?

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[Bill K]

Looks like you on your way for a nice set up that you will enjoy. I would guess you have the reloading equipment, other than the dies, so you should be well on your way. Now to work up a load, your rifle likes and go have fun. I use mostly AA2200 powder, but others also use a couple others. Rick will no doubt give you some of his powder choices also. You will just have to give a couple a go and find your rifles preference. Bill K

[Rick in Oregon]

trigger: Looks like you did your homework. Good choice.

You can ask P/N to duplicate your Remmy factory contour so it will fit in the stock without a lot of fuss. That's what I did with mine and it turned out very well. There's a slight upcharge for doing this, but it will eliminate barrel channel work.

My 11-twist P/N barrel on my M700 204 Ruger Match:



In addition to A2200, be sure to try RL-7, as it gives the best performance in my 20VT. A charge around 18.5grs should give you right at 3,750-3,800 fps with the 32gr bullet. Be sure to work up slowly and watch for signs of pressure.

Good luck, let us know how she turns out.

[triggerfingers]

Thanks so much guys for your help and advise....in about 12-14 weeks it should be back and I make an update then.

[Bill K]

Not a problem. Rick helped me spend money on the VT and get into it and so it is only fair that we both teamed up to help you spend some funds.. All kidding aside, you are going to love the 20VT. Bill K

[triggerfingers]

One last question....do you recommend 32,39 or 40 grain Bullets for the VarTarg or just see what the rifle prefers?

[Bill K]

I shoot both 32 and 39 grain bullets in mine, about 90% 32 and 10% 39 gr. The vast majority of my shooting is with the 20 SCC on Richardson ground squirrels, so the 32 is great. When I go to the 39 is when I shoot rock chucks or coyotes, although I have shot a lot of them with the 32 also. The 39 just hold up in the windy times somewhat better. Bill K

[triggerfingers]

Using a Remington 700 SA action for my build...what parts will I need to swap out for proper feeding and or ejection? Planning to use the rifle more as a single shot and not sure if I need to change anything.

[Bill K]

On my Rem 700 action I changed nothing. Not to concerned about trying to change things over, with follower and all in the magazine well, as I usually shoot it single shot. So I would leave it as is. Bill K

[triggerfingers]

Thanks Bill