a LRVP Savage chambered in 204 Ruger - shooting a good number of sub quarter MOA groups in the process. Cooper’s mission statement has always been ‘guaranteed half MOA accuracy’ so let’s find out if the 20 Tac lives up to the hype.
Firstly, there don’t seem to be any factory rounds readily available for the 20 Tac but
6mmBR.com has plenty of loading info. and powders like those
The Cooper Montana Varminter in 20 Tactical
Laurie has plans to re-barrel his Ruger 204 in 20 Tac
To get a real feel of what these little cartridges will do, put the figures in your ballistic programme – out to 600 yards - they will see off a good 155 grain 308 bullet for drop and wind-drift!
The 20Tac brass is made by Lapua but stamped Dakota. Note the small ‘L’ in the shield
used in the 6PPC and 223 Rem. are popular, namely Vihtavuori’s N133, Hodgdon’s H322, H4198 and the like – around 25 grains, depending on powder and bullet - as always, start low and work up your load in small increments. Bullets are in the 32 grain range with a max of 40 grains and are offered by Hornady, Sierra, and Berger and maybe a few of the custom bullet makers.
The case is a neck-down of the 223 Rem. but steepening the shoulder from 23 to 30 degrees. Case- forming dies are available but alternatively, go for the ready-formed Lapua – sold under the Dakota Arms branding (see pic) with Todd’s blessing and that’s what I’m using.
Left, the 20 Tac and right a 223 Rem.
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Interestingly, the varmint shooter has quite a few of these screaming little rounds to choose from – we’ve mentioned the 204 Ruger, we’ve also got the 20PPC, the 20 VarTarg, 20 Practical and the 20BR. All deliver velocities around the magic 4000 fps so, ‘you pays your money...’ The ‘terrific twenties’ have taken over in recent times from the old favourites - the 220 Swift and 22-250 - as the varmint hunter’s choice.
The model I’m shooting is the Montana Varminter. As I said, this one is actually secondhand but Brian Fox always has a few Coopers in stock and new ones are always arriving. Prices vary according to model and chambering but they offer amazing value – particularly with a half decent Remington now straying into four figures. The Coopers are exceptional value at around £1500. At this kind of money, you couldn’t begin to look at a custom rifle so the Cooper is a sort of ‘halfway house’ and represents great value.
Note the wide, vented fore-end which should work quite well off a benchrest
The receiver is tiny so a smaller profile barrel can be used and this all adds to the all-up weight – or lack of weight - of just over seven pounds (without scope). The solid-bottom single-shot action helps maintain stiffness, though repeaters are available. The three- lug bolt is really tiny but comes with a proper Sako- style claw extractor and bolt-face plunger –ejector. The bolt operates smoothly with a ‘custom’ feel.
The single-stage full-adjustable trigger is Cooper’s own and is excellent. I’m used to a 2oz. Jewel but the Cooper caught me out, its let-off was light and crisp with absolutely no creep. The rifle is a complete package which all adds to the excellent value these rifles represent.
The barrel tapers from one-inch at the breech to 0.775 inches at the muzzle. It looks quite heavy in proportion to the receiver and indeed is heftier than many larger calibre hunting rifles. The stock is of AA grade claro walnut which, if you like wood, adds the final touch of class.
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