Ladder load development testing.

[Rick in Oregon]

I am not familiar with that caliber but it looks like a flat shooter.

It is indeed a flat shooter. I penned an article a few years ago in "The Varmint Hunter Magazine" that detailed the virtues of the 20VT. Basically it sends a 32gr bullet downrange right at 3,600 - 3,800 fps with only 18.5~ grs of powder, a full one third LESS powder than the 204 Ruger for the same velocity. Wicked accurate, almost no recoil at all, minimal muzzle blast, see all your hits/misses clearly through the scope. The parent case is the 221 Fireball, easily necked down to .20 caliber. The 20VT also shares the 204R's improved 30* shoulder.

All the data shown on my 'come-up' chart is shown in MOA; matches the Leupold M1 elevation turret perfectly for easy range adjustments.

A field target when I was working on two different 32gr bullets shows the degree of accuracy this little gem delivers. Hence the term "wicked accurate". It's also the perfect application of RL-7 powder. It's also my go-to powder for both my 221FB's, giving the same degree of accuracy.



Some call the 20VT a "204 Short". When velocity and powder consumption is considered, the 20VT is a very efficient cartridge.



My Cooper M38VR in 20VT with some rock chucks shot near home. It's always one shot only, as they never ever give you a second chance at a follow-up shot being extremely skittish critters.



Easy on barrels, miserly on powder, deadly on varmints....what's not to like?

[skipper]

That's some nice grouping!

[Tom Kat]

Yes it is. I have a CZ527 chambered in .221 Remington Fireball, and that thing is really accurate. I bet the 20 VT is fun to shoot.

[jsh]

Has anyone seen pressure tested loads on 20VT?

I did a little work with my 17 Remington, ladder work of sorts. One target, 2/10 increments, too max. In theory there should be a nice cluster of several loads. My ladder/ramp stuck 12–15 bullets into .25x.6?@100. It was a waste for me other than my chrono info.

They prefer to do this a 200 and further. My thoughts, the further the distance the larger the error can be for the shooter.

I have tried numerous “ways” of finding best loads, very little satisfaction. I have yet to find a quick and easy solution, with low round count.

[Ricepidding]

Hi all,

New member , so here goes;
I used the ladder system (simpler Audette style) to find the optimum load for a custom 308 Win I had made.
Got two conspicuous nodes at 300 yards.
After pursuing the smaller load, ended up at the Sierra stated accuracy load for 155 SMK's and Viht N140!

I realise the 204 is quite different so when/if the weather gets warmer in the uk, will be out with the ladder again!

Cheers
Harry

[Rick in Oregon]

That's some nice grouping!

Thanks, Skipper. All loads were developed using the ladder test system. It works!

Yes it is. I have a CZ527 chambered in .221 Remington Fireball, and that thing is really accurate. I bet the 20 VT is fun to shoot.

TK: Agreed, my CZ 527 American with it's sporter weight barrel shoots in the .3's with A2200 and the 32gr BT or Varmageddon bullet. Far more accurate than any other skinny barreled rig I've ever owned. Scary accurate for a light rifle.

And "Fun to shoot" does not come close to describing how much fun the 20VT is in the field. Mine has become my go-to rifle for squirrels and chucks, leaving my 223's and 204's in the safe most times. BUT.....I always take one of my 204's when/if the range and/or wind becomes an issue. My fast twist M700 never lets me down in that regard shooting either the 39 SBK or the 40gr BT.