204 ruger barrel length?

[tharger]

Getting ready to order a barrel for a 204 ruger. Savage prefit. Gun came with a 20 inch barrel, want to go longer but have trouble deciding 22 or 24. Any ideas?

 

[GLShooter]

It loves speed. I have them in 24, 24.5 and 25.5. Figure 30 FPS/inch.

Greg

 

[L.Sherm]

I see no need to go over 24"

 

[GLShooter]

My 24 is a custom AR tube, the other two lengths are on CZ's and Remington bolts. Realistically any of my 20 TACs and 20 PRACs run right with the 204 and I have them all in 24" set ups with a new REMAGE 2 PRAC just joining the ranks this week. I really think the Practical is the best one of the triad.

Greg

 

[Mark M.]

Troy at PacNor Barrels said they conducted a test with the 204 Ruger to find the optimal barrel length, starting out with a long barrel, checked the velocity, then cutting off an inch, checked the velocity, cut off another inch and so on, they found no loss in velocity until they hit 21", in other words 22" is optimal

 

[B23]

Getting ready to order a barrel for a 204 ruger. Savage prefit. Gun came with a 20 inch barrel, want to go longer but have trouble deciding 22 or 24. Any ideas?

I would go with a unfluted 24 inch tube. If you decide at a later date the 24 isn't for you it'll be easy and not cost much to have it shortened to whatever length you want.

 

[lb-ft]

I’m having a tough time understanding how a [204 Ruger] powder column bigger than the 223 case sees no loss in velocity in all the way down to 21” barrel, when that bigger powder column only gets a .204 cylinder in which to burn, and a .223 gets a much more voluminous cylinder in which to burn and enjoys a 30” or longer barrel for top velocity?

 

[JB10]

I have a 22 inch. I dont mind it and a little easier to move around and cary into stands. My 35gr bergers are just over 3,800fps. Thats plenty fast enough. I like the mobility over my 26 inch 223.

 

[Mark M.]

I’m having a tough time understanding how a [204 Ruger] powder column bigger than the 223 case sees no loss in velocity in all the way down to 21” barrel, when that bigger powder column only gets a .204 cylinder in which to burn, and a .223 gets a much more voluminous cylinder in which to burn and enjoys a 30” or longer barrel for top velocity?

Well it looks like the bore dia. might have something to do with it

 

[Matt_3479]

I personally like a little bit longer barrels for balance and stability. That said if it’s a hunting rifle I just did up 2 20 cal barrels at 24”

 

[varget204]

If you want to shoot Distance 600 Yards & Farther, get a 26 " barrel, a 40 grin bullet@ 3900 fps, Muzzle velocity is Faster than a 32 grain @ 4225 fps at 250 Yards

 

[searcher]

Getting ready to order a barrel for a 204 ruger. Savage prefit. Gun came with a 20 inch barrel, want to go longer but have trouble deciding 22 or 24. Any ideas?

I have found no reasons to not use longer barrels on my .20 caliber varmint rigs (other that weight)- though after having several in 24" to 26" length, I would never go back to 20" unless it was a 'walking' rig where I carried it around much. If it is going to be shot off a rest - it will be either 24" or 26". The 22" might be a good compromise if you will be lugging it around. The advantage of 26" is having more barrel weight forward for recoil, added weight for stability and slightly better cooling. While I tend to favor fast powders in my .20's, the use of slow powders might also give you a bit more velocity with the 26" over the 22" to 24". Adding a muzzle brake makes it even better. I have changed all of my A/R's over to such lengths with better success than with the 20" and am about to do the same on bolt gun barrel replacements. If off a rest, you won't regret 26".

 

[KY_Windage]

If off a rest, 26" -- less muzzle-jump and the noise is farther from your ears.

 

[1raggedhole]

Here is some actual data on barrel length:

204 Ruger Velocity Data | Bullberry Barrel Works, Ltd. | United States

Using the same method as our 17 HMR testing — read through our results, inch by inch.

www.bullberrylegacy.com

I prefer the 26” for pdog guns off a bench.

 

[AckleymanII]

If you use a cool burning powder, often the barrel can be set back when the leade is shot out, but you have to have enough shank on the back end and some barrel length to begin with....plan ahead p. dog shooters and informal bench rest shooters.

 

[JSH]

It’s easier to shorten one than try to make it longer.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

All four of my 204's wear 24" barrels. Seems optimal for handling, balance when packed about, and velocity. Would not change a thing.

 

[RegionRat]

For a given powder and bullet combination, there is a bbl length beyond which the velocity gain tips downward. However, sometimes when you take that same bullet with a slower powder, the next set of data hits a different length. The point I am trying to make is not to assume that any one test of a single powder answers the optimal bbl length debate.

Like some of the others, if the rig is dedicated to shooting PDs from a swivel table, then I like 24“ - 26” for the extra speed, weight, and noise reduction.

If it is the time in your life to play with a longer bbl, then remember life can be short so Carpe Diem.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Getting ready to order a barrel for a 204 ruger. Savage prefit. Gun came with a 20 inch barrel, want to go longer but have trouble deciding 22 or 24. Any ideas?

If you go longer, you won't regret it.

 

[xswanted]

It’s easy to make them shorter. I’ve not found a good way to add length to a barrel yet.

Just for reference I have a 17.5” 204 that I run suppressed.

39 Blitzkings exit the muzzle at 3700fps

50 grain Berger’s are still going 3300.