204 Ruger barrel life, AR prairie dog rifle

[1raggedhole]

This question has been asked many times, but I didn't see much for real life experience with an AR on p-dogs. I have a WOA 204 upper that has around 3000 rounds, mostly on p-dogs. I use temp tape and usually switch rifles when gas block reaches 140 deg, but it has been up to 180. It will still shoot decent (<3/4"), but I noticed during my last trip that bullets were sometimes missing by a long ways when the barrel got hot (even without cooking a round in the chamber).

So, who has real life experience with this caliber in ARs and barrel life? I'm wondering if 3000 is nearing the limit.

 

[WSM01]

I don't know about your AR barrel life but have some info on bolt actions.
Kimber Varmint stainless in 204 gave it up around 5000 rounds.
Savage Precision stainless bull barrel 204 made about 7000. Then started " climbing " POI in about 20 rounds, coppered up badly.(new Shilen on the way)
Very 1st Ruger,sporter, chromoly barrel lasted about 3000 rounds.
Is it possible to check your ogive to land measurement & compare to when it was "fresh" ? I have chased the lands until a live round wouldn't eject due to the tip hitting the port.
Maybe you can get someone to scope your bore ?
Hope this helps.

 

[Tommie]

Rate of fire is more impactful than total number of shots fired.

 

[1raggedhole]

Rate of fire is more impactful than total number of shots fired.

I tend to agree, that is why I think most bolt actions will outlast an AR on p-dog towns. You can shoot fast and easy w the AR. Ammo usage is always a good reference.
Last weekend I shot 20 rounds after moving scopes around, and it had significant copper fouling. It was clean when I put it away last fall.
Although I don't have a bore scope, I have one of those cheap micro cameras connected to usb, and you can see dull/rough lands from the throat down the barrel for at least 4".
These signs also worry me. Any thoughts?

 

[A_Gamehog]

A new DPMS fluted, Varmint 204 Ruger 1-12 Twist ar-15 Barrel is 200$ at Midway. I have one and it's as accurate as any maker's out there.
If you tend to waste ammo the AR-15 is an accelerant to do that.

 

[1raggedhole]

Can you send me a link to that barrel? I don't see it on Midway.

 

[A_Gamehog]

It's gone, Midway does not even list it anymore. It was the best deal out there.

 

[msinc]

Rate of fire is more impactful than total number of shots fired.

Ambient temperature has a pretty serious effect on it too...saw one wasted on a bolt gun when they first came out in about 300 rounds. Hot summer day cranking one right after the other. The rifle still shot pretty good, but the throat was cooked.

 

[1raggedhole]

Yep, hot sunny days without shade are hard on rifles. I usually shoot till it gets hot, then set it in the shade while I shoot a different rifle. Gives me more trigger time!

 

[A_Gamehog]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/65...meter-1-in-12-twist-24-fluted-stainless-steel

 

[1raggedhole]

Yep, it says discontinued.

 

[1raggedhole]

Cleaned the barrel, and shot groups in succession. You can see the groups open and flyers starting as barrel warms up.

New barrel is going on. I guess 3000 rounds of hot prairie dog shooting is about it for a 204.

 

[muleystalker]

Look at X-Caliber Barrels, great barrels good price.

 

[1raggedhole]

Thanks, I will keep in mind for next time.
Since this is a white oak varmint upper, and it shot really well, I opted to replace the barrel with another white oak, 26" 10 twist 3 groove.

 

[1raggedhole]

Just FYI, another poster conversed with me that his 204 AR's on pdogs last about 3500, which is on par with my 3000+. Wish they weren't so hard on barrels because they are great for pdogs!

 

[P72]

I have about 2500 through my .204 (since late 2010) - it is 22 inch stainless McGowen, 1-11 twist, 4 groove - bolt action (slow). My usual approach is to fire 50 in about 1 hour, clean out the barrel using squirty foam, nylon brush, 5W-30 synthetic motor oil, and patches. After cleaning, I cover the rifle with a wet bath towel (no shade - terrible sun and horrible heat) to cool it and switch rifles for the next hour.

Compared to other rifles such as the .243 and .22-.250 the .204 with a powder charge of 10-20 grains less is much cooler and I would expect kinder to barrels. Peering into the .204 barrel it looks almost new and shoots rodents dead way out there with some consistency provided I exercise moderate self restraint.

 

[Silverfox]

My Savage 12VLP .204 Ruger factory barrel made it to 2,707 rounds before I replaced it. Lots of those rounds were shot in the PD fields. I have increased the number of PD rifles in my stable from 2 rifles to 8 rifles, so (hopefully) I may not have to replace any more barrels before I pass into the great hunting ground in the sky!!!