Update: 20 VarTarg

A few months ago I posted here about my latest handgun build, a 20 VarTarg using a McGowen barrel, JTAC Industries stock and Howa Mini-Action.Now that I've been on two prairie dog hunting trips w/ it and have shot it a good bit, I thought an update would be in order. In addition, I now have a suppressor for it, as well.

In the field, the VarTarg performs well, as long as one doesn't stretch it's capabilities. After all, I'm shooting a 32 gr bullet in only 16" of barrel. It's main weakness is the wind. Although I knew this would be the case, on its maiden hunt, I stubbornly shot it in winds that were much too strong. Successful shots were difficult. On the second hunt, the wind was much milder so my hits were more frequent. So far, I've shot only 26 gr Barnes no lead, 32 gr Varmageddon plastic tipped and Midway 34 gr HP bullets. Of those, the Varmageddon seems to be more destructive and also feeds better from the 10 round magazine.With agreeable weather, a range of 250-300 yards is reasonable. Handloading data is limited as their aren't many powders w/ the appropriate burn rate. So far I've tried IMR 4227, Hodgdon CFE BLK and a little Accurate Arms 2200.


Last week I came across some "blemished" bullets on Midway at a really good price so I bought them. I'm pretty sure they're 32 gr Hornady V-Max. I shot initial development loads yesterday using the "blemished" bullets and AA2200 and was very pleased. The group at the top left corner is my standard load of 32 gr Varmageddon plastic tipped bullet and CFE BLK. The other groups are the test loads.



The first week of November I bought a SilencerCo 30 caliber "Harvester" suppressor. Unfortunately, it arrived the day before leaving on my most recent prairie dog hunt so I didn't get a chance to shoot w/ it. I've now run about 50 rounds through it and am very impressed. Although the non-suppressed VarTarg doesn't have much muzzle blast and recoil, w/ the suppressor it has VERY little muzzle blast and no recoil. To my ears, the suppressed VarTarg sounds less than a non-suppressed 22 Magnum. I'm really looking forward to hunting w/ it.