looking at a .204 ruger with a 24" barrel w/12:1 twist...any good?

varmint308-- Barrel length is the only variable with factory built .204 Rugers. Twist rate is 1 in 12" on all of them. If you want a different twist rate, you have to go to a custom barrel.

I think 24" is a satisfactory length for a .204 Ruger. Mine is 26" and I'll get 60 to 80 fps more in muzzle velocity than you will with a 24" and that's not a lot. Your rifle may be a lot easier to carry, swing on running shots, and have better balance that one with a 26" barrel.

What make and model/models are you looking at? What are you going to use the rifle for--walk about varmint rifle, benchrest shooting, combination? You will really enjoy the .204 Ruger caliber. I hope you get a real good shooter. If you are a reloader you can really take advantage of some of the great bullets and powders available for this caliber.
 
Silverfox, what bullet/powder combo have you found the .204 to like the best?

I have a CZ 527 that I have shot the factory Hornady 32gr VMax out of and some home rolled 35gr Bergers with Varget powder.

So far I haven't found a Berger/Varget combo to match the performance of the Hornady factory ammo. I really want to stick with the Berger bullets. Any recommendation on a powder?

Thanks.
 
NIMRODRX
I'm runnin 31gr-blc2,Rem 7 1/2primers, 2.285oal with 35 bergers in a 527 American,21.9" barrel. Chrono says 3860, 5 shot groups in the 1.2's at 200. I tried Varget with this bullet. Groups were in the 1.8's at 200.
I really like this bullet on coyotes. Had a lucky morning with 3 on the ground before 7:30 AM. The 3rd made # 10 for this rifle and the 35 berger in the last 5 weeks. 2 short runners, 2 spinners[bad hit] with one requireing a second shot. The other six dropped in their tracks. Most were under 150yds. with longest at about 200. Don't know what it will do at longer yds.
 
Nice Spur! Thanks for the info. My 527 doesn't seem to like the Varget and the 35 gr Berger. I will give your cocktail a shot. I definately want to stick with the Bergers but could care less what powder I use - what ever works.

How was the pelt damage on those yotes with that Berger?
 
I've heard good things about H-335, Re10X, IMR 4895 and others but I havn't had time to try them.
The only exit I've gotten with the berger was an edge hit that left a large opening along the side. I have recovered fragments and a base under the hide on the offside with broadside hits.
In my experience this bullet is tough enough for shoulder shots. I've hit 4 or 5 in the shoulder and they don't move. The lung shots produced short runners and spinners.
 
I'm not a reloader but starting to contemplate it....so this may be a stupid question....

Would it work to buy factory and just pull the bullets and put in the bergers instead?

Anyone tried that?

Please don't laugh too hard. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

B
 
Quote:
Would it work to buy factory and just pull the bullets and put in the bergers instead?



Probably not the best idea you've had this year /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

You would have to get most of the reloading stuff, so why not go the whole distance. I have know a lot of guys that started reloading "to save money" (HA!!)... and discovered that reloading is a whole 'nother dimention to shooting - and you can do it when you are stuck at home.

You might want to contact a custom reloader that will load what you want for you... send him your fired cases, and VOILA, new stuff to shoot.
 
Lol, thanks.

The idea came from two things, a wolf caller i read about in AK buys cheap win ammo for his mini-14 and pulls the bullets and puts in partitions instead.

The other thing was how many guys can't seem to get the speed of the factory loadings because of blended powders.

Those two things led to that most outstanding idea of mine, lol. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif

Oh well, that would be my kind of reloading to start lol(quick and easy). The cost of factory .204 doesn't bother me, i don't shoot enough, but seems like an option if a guy wants a different bullet than what factory offers but still keep the speed up? Get it seated to the lands etc.?

Anyhow, thanks for the reinforcement on what a numbskull i can be. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

B
 
Does anyone else think that bullberry barrels might be a little slow?

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

Varmint Al has some .17 hmr bullberry data like that and 21" barrel shows 2553 fps average...my factory remington 597 with 20" barrel does that on the low end. Then he has a CZ varmint with 21" barrel that averages 2647 fps! So go figure...those barrels seem a bit slow? I have a cz varmint also but haven't checked it to see if its like Al's yet. Anyhow, i guess it varies but the bullberry seems a little slow to me? I have a cz 527 american 21.9" barrel in .204 that did 3920 fps out of the gate(factory 32 gr ammo) but now about 120 rounds in its up to 3975 and i'm expecting after the 200 round mark to be over 4000 but haven't seen what the 25.6" barreled varmint cz does in comparison yet?...i'm not convinced the 23" is the ideal length for all guns in .204? But thats just based on the info i've seen so far...which is basically what i just put above. Would love to see some guys velocity figures on .204 with the 26" stuff out of different manufacturers with factory 32 gr ammo.

Not trying to dispell the bullberry thing, just thinking outloud that theres lots of different speeds depending on the gun/barrel manufacturer so i'm not convinced on the 23" length as ideal for .204?

B
 
Quote:
varmint308-- Barrel length is the only variable with factory built .204 Rugers. Twist rate is 1 in 12" on all of them. If you want a different twist rate, you have to go to a custom barrel.



CZ makes a 1 in 9"
 
SamSpade-- I would like to have you post a link to the information you stated about CZ offering a .204 Ruger with a 1 in 9" twist barrel. I have a sneaky suspicion that you are confusing the twist for their .17 Remington barrel, which is in fact a 1 in 9" twist, with their .204 Ruger offereing. Here is a quote from information on their Web site where they list the CZ Varmint which is offered in both .17 Remington and .204 Ruger.

Quote:
The CZ 527 VARMINT in .17 Remington is fitted with a 24”, 1 in 9 twist heavy barrel and an American style Turkish walnut stock.



PLEASE NOTE that they SPECIFICALLY state that the "CZ 527 VARMINT in .17 Remington has a 1 in 9 twist barrel"

BUT-- nowhere that I can find, do they state that the .204 Ruger barrel is a 1 in 9" twist.

As I requested at the outset, PLEASE post the link to the information that states that CZ's .204 Ruger barrels have a 1 in 9" twist. If they do, I apologize, otherwise, my earlier statement about no factory barrels being available in anything but 1 in 12" twist for the .204 Ruger stands!!!
 
BTT for you SamSpade to please give us the source of information to prove that the CZ Varmint in .204 Ruger has a 1 in 9" twist barrel. I still say it has a 1 in 12" twist barrel.

I'm looking forward to your reply with your proof /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I have cz in 204 and 17rem, 204 is 1/12, 17 is 1/9 just as the web site says. I to checked all the factory rifle data for 204 as I would like to have something faster than the 1/12 for the 204. Looks like a custom barrel is the only answer at present. I just think the 1/12 is marginal with the 40's and I would prefer something heavier than the 35 berger for coyotes and wind deflection.
I am having very good luck with the 35 berger but with a bc less than the 32 bk and vmax it is very wind sensetive and loose's energy very rapidly compared to the 40's, I'm thinking the 45-50 range would make a great combo for the 204.
Just dreamin?
 
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