204 Ruger standard twist is 1-12". How and why?

[Tommie]

I really don't get it. Hornady designs this cartridge and decides a 1-12" twist is the way to go. Originally the two factory bullet weights available were 32 and 39 grains. Then Hornady changes the heavier bullet to 40 grains and suddenly we find that 40 grainers are on the ragged edge of instability. Some guns can't even shoot the 40's. Yet Hornady (and others) continue to offer 40 grain loads. Just as confusing is the rifle manufacturers still cling to the 1-12" twist. What gives?

 

[SS427]

Just guessing, but I think part of the .204R marketing appeal was breaking the 4,000fps mark, and that was better done with the 32 grain bullets. For top accuracy, the 12 twist barrel for that weight of bullet is probably ideal.

 

[Terry]

I have several boxes of 45 gr. Hornady 20 caliber bullets.
They shoot fine in my Savage rifles.

 

[Hotshot]

I think SS427 is on the right track. Story I remember is Ruger wanted to market the first factory offering of 4200 fps. The first Vmax 20cal bullets were 33grain. 33grain through an 11 twist didn't get it. Hornady went to 32grain and Ruger made the barrels in 12 twist and they got 4225. All the rest of the dumb butts followed suit and we got stuck with the wrong twist in factory barrels.

 

[Tommie]

I think SS427 is on the right track. Story I remember is Ruger wanted to market the first factory offering of 4200 fps. The first Vmax 20cal bullets were 33grain. 33grain through an 11 twist didn't get it. Hornady went to 32grain and Ruger made the barrels in 12 twist and they got 4225. All the rest of the dumb butts followed suit and we got stuck with the wrong twist in factory barrels.

Very good point. While everyone was gasping at the amazing velocity achieved by the 32 grain load and proclaiming it to be the fastest factory cartridge, somehow the fact that the 20 grain 17 Remington load was 25 FPS quicker somehow got lost in the mass celebration.

The 204 Ruger is a superb cartridge and an amazing performer. Just wish a 1-11" twist would have been the official standard.

 

[John from MN]

SS427 summed it up well. Speed sells varmint rifles to the masses.

 

[1raggedhole]

I really don't get it. Hornady designs this cartridge and decides a 1-12" twist is the way to go. Originally the two factory bullet weights available were 32 and 39 grains. Then Hornady changes the heavier bullet to 40 grains and suddenly we find that 40 grainers are on the ragged edge of instability. Some guns can't even shoot the 40's. Yet Hornady (and others) continue to offer 40 grain loads. Just as confusing is the rifle manufacturers still cling to the 1-12" twist. What gives?

The 40 gr loads are offered at 3900 FPS, and 32 gr at 4225 FPS. I had very good luck with 39 and 40 gr bullets as low as 3800 FPS in my Savage 12 LRPV which has a 12 twist. I haven't experienced the ragged edge you mention. In fact everyone in our p-dog group has had good luck with 12 twist and 40 gr pills in DPMS AR's and Savage 12's.

 

[ChrisA]

My A-bolt shoots 39 grain blitzking extremely well but will shotgun pattern the 40 VMax.

Chris

 

[jds holler]

So like -- there are actually people who purchase factory loaded cartridges and shoot them?? Geez that seems weird. jd

 

[Hippy]

As mentioned the 40 V-Max is a "Crap Shoot" have owned two Remington XR-100 the 1st one (Stolen) would shoot the V-Max nearly as good as the 39 Sierra--you would have to measure the groups to tell any difference--The one I now own shoots PATTERNS with the 40's and 3/8" with the 39 Sierra.

Jim

 

[wholman]

My model 12 savage will not shoot 40s they key whole.
But it is a death machine with 35 bergers

 

[F224]

Two of us had Steve Satern build up 22" AR15 uppers for us using his barrels with 1-10 twist years ago. They shot everything from 39-50gr very well, but the 32gr V-Max bullets would come apart within 50 yards of the muzzle. We did not have that problem with the BlitzKing 32's.

 

[sundance]

I bought a used Rem 700 custom in 204 last year with a Shilen 1 in 12 barrel on it. I couldn't get the 32 grain Vmax anywhere near the lands and have it stay in the case before chambering it .It shot poorly with the 32 vmax seated deep. There was a bedded pad in front of the recoil lug that I never had before.After I removed it the 32 vmax shot into one hole for me at 100 yards . I did the cleaning rod/patch check on the barrel and it was 1 in 12 like the previous owned stated. If I read Krieger's website info correctly I should order a 1 in 14 if I want the 32 grainer to shoot well. I love what that bullet does to prairie dogs at 4200!!

 

[varmintshooter]

I really don't get it. Hornady designs this cartridge and decides a 1-12" twist is the way to go. Originally the two factory bullet weights available were 32 and 39 grains. Then Hornady changes the heavier bullet to 40 grains and suddenly we find that 40 grainers are on the ragged edge of instability. Some guns can't even shoot the 40's. Yet Hornady (and others) continue to offer 40 grain loads. Just as confusing is the rifle manufacturers still cling to the 1-12" twist. What gives?

I don't understand it. I have 3 20vt's and 3 204's all are 12 twist and every one will shoot 39 and 40 gr bullets just fine. I think it is more likely that some barrels marked 1:12 are really more like 1:12.5 twist barrels. I am at sea level and shoot year round. Could it be that people aren't pushing them fast enough?

 

[1raggedhole]

I don't understand it. I have 3 20vt's and 3 204's all are 12 twist and every one will shoot 39 and 40 gr bullets just fine. I think it is more likely that some barrels marked 1:12 are really more like 1:12.5 twist barrels. I am at sea level and shoot year round. Could it be that people aren't pushing them fast enough?

The complaints seem odd to me since my LRPV shot 39 gr blitzkings and 40 gr vmaxs very well all the way down to 3500 fps (I never went below that). That rifle barrel was advertised as a 1:12, but actually measures 1:11.75. So I would agree that if someone is keyholing that they are very slow loads or the twist is also slower than advertised.

 

[Chief 101]

I have to agree with the previous 2 posters, no issues with stock Ruger barrel and 40 vmax...they do a bang up job too.

 

[msinc]

I owned one of the very first 204's off the line and it had a measured twist of 1 in 13"...shot the 32 and 33 grain bullets very well.

 

[DogBuster]

have two 12T Pac Nor 20's a VT & PT........

no problem with 40 V's in nearly 10 years

 

[boltgunluvr]

Basica

I really don't get it. Hornady designs this cartridge and decides a 1-12" twist is the way to go. Originally the two factory bullet weights available were 32 and 39 grains. Then Hornady changes the heavier bullet to 40 grains and suddenly we find that 40 grainers are on the ragged edge of instability. Some guns can't even shoot the 40's. Yet Hornady (and others) continue to offer 40 grain loads. Just as confusing is the rifle manufacturers still cling to the 1-12" twist. What gives?

Basically, because the 204 relies upon velocity to perform well and if you tighten the twist, you may deform the copper jacket. I believe most were running bullets in the 32-39 gr range.

 

[1raggedhole]

Basica


Basically, because the 204 relies upon velocity to perform well and if you tighten the twist, you may deform the copper jacket. I believe most were running bullets in the 32-39 gr range.

I also have really good luck with 32 gr pills in my 10 twist barrel from white oak.