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If both barrels are 8 twist you will be looking about 150fps drop in velocity with the shorter 20″ barrel…on average in my testing I lost 35fps per/inch on a shorter 223 barrels, but some shorter barrels are pretty slick and have above average velocities.
I've compared and shot the factory TAC 20″ barrel side by side against the factory Varmint barrel, same day with handholds / same bullet for each…both rifles shot equally well out to 500yrds but stretch that to 1000yrds and the Varmint was superior by a large margin. I was shooting 80.5gr bergers out of both rifles and I can tell you the extra barrel weight and velocity out the varmint model was clear winner on the targets.
You won't be sorry with the factory Varmint barrel as long as its still got life left in it…might want to have it inspected by a qualified person first.
