20 Vartag
- Thread starter DamDave
- Start date
TheCZKid
Active member
Yup, that and loading up for next years season. We get snow here, so it's a long time between winter and spring.
So novice wildcatter here, what should my 20 VT neck thickness be? I think mine are to thick and want to turn them but wondering what dimensions I am looking for ?
Rick in Oregon
Active member
After neck turning, all my 20VT brass necks mic .012". My Cooper chamber mic's .234", which is typical for a .20 cal.
A loaded case neck will mic .228", which gives plenty of clearance in the .234" chamber. My Cooper 204 also is a .234" chamber.
So....
.012" + .012" + .204" (bullet) = .228". In a chamber with a neck ID of .234", this gives .006" of neck clearance, or .003" per side. Good clearance for overall safety without inducing any 'squeeze' on the case neck of loaded bullet.
I have a custom 204 Ruger Match rifle with a tight neck chamber of .230". With the above formula, and necks at .012", this gives me .002" of clearance, or .001" per side clearance. Still good for safety, but excellent for top accuracy. With that setup, I must pay strict attention to my neck thickness's.
So to answer your question, shoot for a neck thickness of .012" in your 20VT and you'll be in good shape.
The 204 Match reamer (note the neck @ .230"):
Standard 20Vartarg (note neck @ .232"):
With careful handloading, this is typical for my 20VT using two different bullets:
Hope that clears it up for you.
Last edited:
Asking because my loaded 20 VT neck od is .232-.233 with Nosler 17 FB brass resized to 20VT, and factory Hornady 204 loaded neck od is .226After neck turning, all my 20VT brass necks mic .012". My Cooper chamber mic's .234", which is typical for a .20 cal.
A loaded case neck will mic .228", which gives plenty of clearance in the .234" chamber. My Cooper 204 also is a .234" chamber.
So....
.012" + .012" + .204" (bullet) = .228". In a chamber with a neck ID of .234", this gives .006" of neck clearance, or .003" per side. Good clearance for overall safety without inducing any 'squeeze' on the case neck of loaded bullet.
I have a custom 204 Ruger Match rifle with a tight neck chamber of .230". With the above formula, and necks at .012", this gives me .002" of clearance, or .001" per side clearance. Still good for safety, but excellent for top accuracy. With that setup, I must pay strict attention to my neck thickness's.
So to answer your question, shoot for a neck thickness of .012" in your 20VT and you'll be in good shape.
The 204 Match reamer (note the neck @ .230"):
View attachment 554
Standard 20Vartarg (note neck @ .232"):
View attachment 555
With careful handloading, this is typical for my 20VT using two different bullets:
Hope that clears it up for you.
That is way thicker than I have ever seen on Nosler brass, .229 loaded is what I've seen in the past.
What your coming up with is more Lapua and unturned 20VT from 223 cases.
What are you coming up with fired?
Alot of reamers out there are .232-.233 neck chambers except for some were designed for the Lapua brass.
Both with 32 grain V max bullets
Rick in Oregon
Active member
Dave, I'd be very careful with that Nosler 17FB brass at .233", as that chamber is most likely .234". That would mean you only have half a 'thou (.0005") of neck clearance, which some would say is dangerous.
Personally, I'd turn those Nosler necks to .012" and be safe. Your accuracy won't suffer either.
Researching tools now.....
yup, sent the barrel manufacturer an email yesterday
oh I have fired brass, I have been shooting it, it is a laser
Rick in Oregon
Active member
You could also do a chamber cast to be dead-on IRT your neck ID. I did that with my Cooper 204 and confirmed it had a .234" neck.
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