20 VarTarg barrel life vs 204 Ruger?
- Thread starter SD guy
- Start date
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I am not in the position to give a number. I can say I can throw about 2.5+. As many rounds down range to the 204 without worry about barrel heat.
I see no loss on n velocity with 32-34 from the 204, a lot less powder for equal speed.
I only run the 32-34 grain in my 20VARTARG. The 204 Ruger eats the 40’s.
Barrels are threaded for a reason. The wear like tires, just replace when necessary, depends on how you drive.
I see no loss on n velocity with 32-34 from the 204, a lot less powder for equal speed.
I only run the 32-34 grain in my 20VARTARG. The 204 Ruger eats the 40’s.
Barrels are threaded for a reason. The wear like tires, just replace when necessary, depends on how you drive.
Prose
Silver $$ Contributor
The barrel life between these two cartridges is SIGNIFICANTLY, EXTREMELY, and VASTLY DIFFERENT.
Barrel heat and fouling is another issue. On a hot day of shooting you will overheat a .204 ruger quickly and they do foul much faster. With a vartarg there is little heat and 300+ rounds between field cleanings are not a problem.
Barrel heat and fouling is another issue. On a hot day of shooting you will overheat a .204 ruger quickly and they do foul much faster. With a vartarg there is little heat and 300+ rounds between field cleanings are not a problem.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
I have both in multiple rifles and strongly agree with both Knifeman and Prose above.
My 20VT's barrels show much less throat erosion than my 204's, and I take much care to prevent overheating with the 204's, and much less time fretting about overheating the 20VT as even in a hot spell in the rat patch, the little VT barrels just seem warm compared to surface temps over 160* on the 204's.
If you can't hold your hand comfortably on a hot barrel, it's usually over 160* and shooting should stop right then, right now.....IF you care about that barrel. Just one more reason the 20VT has and is gaining such popularity for colony rodent shooting. It has become my favorite caliber for that pursuit.
My 20VT's barrels show much less throat erosion than my 204's, and I take much care to prevent overheating with the 204's, and much less time fretting about overheating the 20VT as even in a hot spell in the rat patch, the little VT barrels just seem warm compared to surface temps over 160* on the 204's.
If you can't hold your hand comfortably on a hot barrel, it's usually over 160* and shooting should stop right then, right now.....IF you care about that barrel. Just one more reason the 20VT has and is gaining such popularity for colony rodent shooting. It has become my favorite caliber for that pursuit.
Larry Koch
Silver $$ Contributor
If you guys havent tried hodgdon Blackout powder, on 20 Vartarg or 221 fireball yet Ive had good success with it. I use to use RL-7 or little gun.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Maybe not completely but it certainly has A LOT to do with it that's for sure.
L.Sherm
Silver $$ Contributor
I've looked down some ugly 204 barrels, with fire cracking. Rate of fire certainly matters but put 2,000 rounds down a 204 then 2,000 down a 20VT everthing being equal and I bet the 204 is toast or near it and the 20VT will have alot left in the barrel.
Your using about 25% more powder its gonna burn the barrel up quicker.
Your using about 25% more powder its gonna burn the barrel up quicker.
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RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Life can be short... have the next barrel ready and make hay while the sun shines.....
Yes, agree the 204R doesn't last as long as the 20VT, but then again they don't generate the same muzzle energy either.
The 20 VT is magical in terms of efficiency by generating speed with less powder, but in the end life is too short to worry about the 204 Ruger's barrel life. When folks get a taste of the 204 Ruger in the prairie dog field, they always regret putting it off. YMMV
Yes, agree the 204R doesn't last as long as the 20VT, but then again they don't generate the same muzzle energy either.
The 20 VT is magical in terms of efficiency by generating speed with less powder, but in the end life is too short to worry about the 204 Ruger's barrel life. When folks get a taste of the 204 Ruger in the prairie dog field, they always regret putting it off. YMMV
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
That's why a serious colony rodent shooter needs both!
When in the rat patch, I shoot my 20VT until the rats start thinning out inside of 300, then move to one of my 204's for the longer ranges. Seems to work very well, no complaints or grievances (except from the squirrels that is).
The age-old question: Can a guy have too many rifles?
Larry Koch
Silver $$ Contributor
.243 75gr V-Max is great in the wind, and can make a connections to the little PD. out to 500 yards. And they still fly.
Normal PD trip will start with 17 HMR until too much wind or no dogs close enough. Then, 20 Vartarg until run out of ammo or too far or too much wind. Then 220 Swifts. If that doesn't work, might have a 6mm Remington along. 20 Vartarg is my choice if I could only take one cartridge. Bought the second gun a couple years ago for a reason. Minimal barrel heat, recoil and less powder.
Killed a pile with a 204 and only fault is barrel heat, especially on warmer days. Got a Savage Model 12 in 204 that I still have complete confidence to 300+ and I know that I have not been nice to the barrel. So much fun. Not a clue on how many rounds down the pipe, but a good number of trips with 4-600 rounds a trip.
No answer on the X times of the 20 Vartarg over the 204, but barrels can be replaced.
Killed a pile with a 204 and only fault is barrel heat, especially on warmer days. Got a Savage Model 12 in 204 that I still have complete confidence to 300+ and I know that I have not been nice to the barrel. So much fun. Not a clue on how many rounds down the pipe, but a good number of trips with 4-600 rounds a trip.
No answer on the X times of the 20 Vartarg over the 204, but barrels can be replaced.
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