20 VarTarg info

I am going to get a Criterion 20 vartarg barrel over the winter 24 inches long 1-11 twist for a small shank model 12FV in .204 ruger that will be the donor. From what I have been able to learn Re loader 7 and H4198 are the go to powders. Is this correct? I have also read that some people are using H322 and 8208 XBR and on occasion Benchmark. Has anyone used these or other powders? I have a good supply of h322, 8208 and benchmark and a little RL-10x and AA-2230 but no RL-7 or H4198. I have read that some Accurate powders are used to but I don't think I can lay hands on any more of their product. I only plan on shooting out to 200 yards and no hunting just paper punching. As far as bullets are concerned I am open to any of them, 32 grains to the 40 vmax. I am a believer in letting the gun tell me what it likes. Please let me know what has worked for you. Thanks.

I built my 20 VT back 7-8 years ago now...the chamber started out as a 204R...got bored with it & had it rechambered to the VT..did the same thing for my 20 Practical...still have 'em both...get some Lapua 221 brass to start.......good dies from Redding & Forster...I run moly 40 V max in mine..12 twist/3 groove...barrel has maybe 6K rds out or so...expect velocity around 3500 or so with 40's...I run 19/H322 in my VT and 40 V max & Rem 7.5's..very safe in my rifle...work up in yours....not to talk you outta the VT...but take a look at the 20-222...Criterion may not chamber it...but that's my new sweetheat in my three 20 cal's...I only run 40 V max in all three...

Thanks for the info. I will look into the 20-222 for the future. I think I am set on the VT. My LGS seems to always have 40 v max in stock so that is one I am definitely going to try.

There is a great thread on accurateshooter.com in the 22 centerfire section entitled I love my 20 vt or the other is entitled the 20 vt is everything you guys said it was.

Thanks Jon. I have been over the 20 vt posts on accurate shooter but haven't really seen what I was after. The guys over there think rl-7 and h4198 are THE powders to use. I do not doubt them I just don't have any. I did see one guy using h322 and others but no real data. I may ask over there.

H322 was the powder for my 20vt barrel. It burned a little dirty but dispensed well and was very accurate. I think the conversion loads are only a grain difference from H4198 to H322, sorry can't find my old load data.

I traded back to the .221fb to shoot 30's-55gr.

Thank you. That should help give me some reference. I have all winter to figure it out. Most of what I have seen for various powders is with in a grain maybe 1.5 grains from each other. I will be trying H322 even if I find some h4198 or Rl-7. Powder supply does seem to be getting better in my area just not the ones I am looking for.