Think I need a 204

[Tommie]

Thanks for the replies. I’m probably leaning toward an 11 twist heavy barrel now. Will probably stick with lighter bullets unless the gun ends up liking the heavies better.

Good call. There’s no real downside by going with 1-11 versus 1-12.

 

[RegionRat]

After starting with factory guns, then running some AR platforms, I learned that a 1:10 covers a lot of bases.

I’ll admit I prefer 39s and 40s over the lighter bullets, but to each their own. YMMV

 

[varget204]

I got the bug to build another gun. Want something small for low recoil and fast. I don’t mind wildcat rounds but am thinking I want to keep this one simple and have factory ammo at least an option. 204 sounds about right. I have a Remington 700 action I will blueprint, a Masterpiece Arms chassis, Leupold scope, but no barrel yet. Did some quick looking and it appears a .20 caliber barrel is going to be a little more difficult to find than others. I don’t want to wait 6 months or more to have a barrel made. Where can I find a good .20 cal barrel in stock? Hart’s website is claiming a 8-10 week wait. Wonder how accurate that is. I’m also considering having the barrel fluted just for looks but don’t want to sacrifice accuracy. If the barrel is heavy enough will fluting change accuracy much? I am wanting this gun to be as accurate as I can make it out to 300yds. I have other guns if I want to shoot further than that. Thanks

Contact Northland Shooter Supply, they Have Criterion, Shilen Match & Match Select barrels

 

[Skunce]

I would choose the 20 Practical over the 204 just for the fact 204 brass costs more and is harder to find. I have a 204, 20 Practical and a 20 Vartarg. The 204 has been great but when it's worn out I'll replace it with a 20 Practical. The 20 Vartarg is my favorite though.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Raggedhole should have 20 cal barrels on hand, Remage and blanks.

 

[Matt_3479]

I agree, the 20’s are too much fun. I’ve owned 3 204’s now and have 2 20 tac barrels. 1:10 and a 1:11 twist

 

[Kittitas George]

I use a Cooper 204R, I don't know the twist rate, but shoot the 32gr. Sierras. I like a heavier barrel/gun to lessen recoil jump, so I wouldn't flute the barrel. I launched a rock chuck at almost 170 yards, he was laying on a log, a head on shot, I hit him in the nose. It was like he was hit by a 22-50, it really threw him. I should have got one sooner.

 

[Yamess191]

I would choose the 20 Practical over the 204 just for the fact 204 brass costs more and is harder to find. I have a 204, 20 Practical and a 20 Vartarg. The 204 has been great but when it's worn out I'll replace it with a 20 Practical. The 20 Vartarg is my favorite though.

I agree, 204 brass is really hard to find right now. I can form 20 practical from old LC brass.
i am building a 20 vartarg currently to complement my 17 fireball and 221 fireball.

 

[TheCZKid]

I was also looking at the 204 Ruger, and found info on the 20 Practical by searching online, and with 204 Ruger brass being difficult to get and expensive, I went with the 20P also. I go shooting and picking brass at a place a lot of people go and just leave the brass on the ground, so LC brass is free and abundant, and I like the quality of the LC brass, even though you have to swage the primer pocket, but only once. 204 Ruger and 20P are pretty similar in performance, so I don't think you lose anything, but keep some $ in the pocket. Mine is 10 twist also, and it covers 32 to 40 grain, which is likely all I will ever shoot.

 

[varmintshooter]

CZ, you are a brass whore just like me. People that don't reload are always helping us out.

 

[Spook]

20-223 AI , nothing not to like about mine

 

[spitfire_er]

Did you get going on your project? Just ordered a few Hart barrels a few weeks ago and 8 week wait give or take. Talked to Stan at Douglas a couple days ago and he said usually a few weeks for a Douglas right now.

I've built a few 20 Tacs and really have grown to like them. The next rifle for myself will be a custom 20tac.

 

[johnfred1965]

I know you asked a month ago about barrels, and I just did a quick check. Krueger direct shows 20cal 10 and 12 twist rem varmint in stock. As some else mentioned, ragged hole barrels has 20 cal light varmint wilson barrels. If you check with other major barrel manufacturers, you might find something to fit you project in stock also.

I love my 204R and my 20VT. 20 cal rocks! Next for me is a 20P just to cover all the bases.

 

[dclondon]

I bought a ruger american predator and put it on the magpul hunter stock. I also ordered a timney trigger and put on a vortex strike eagle 5-25x56. I haven't gotten the timney triggeryet and I'm already shooting 3/4" and tighter groups. With that timney I expect it to get even tighter and at 300 yards that thing is dead on. Like 3" of drop I think. The flattest shooting gun I have ever owned.

 

[Alguapo]

+1 on the 20 Practical. I have 2- 204's and 2-20 Practicals. Prefer the free brass and less powder. Same balistics.

 

[Ilmo]

Thanks for the replies. I’m probably leaning toward an 11 twist heavy barrel now. Will probably stick with lighter bullets unless the gun ends up liking the heavies better.

I have 3 204’s each with factory 12 twist. I mostly shoot 32 vmax and 39 sierras..... If I replace any of the barrels it will be with 11 twist.

 

[searcher]

I got the bug to build another gun. Want something small for low recoil and fast. I don’t mind wildcat rounds but am thinking I want to keep this one simple and have factory ammo at least an option. 204 sounds about right. I have a Remington 700 action I will blueprint, a Masterpiece Arms chassis, Leupold scope, but no barrel yet. Did some quick looking and it appears a .20 caliber barrel is going to be a little more difficult to find than others. I don’t want to wait 6 months or more to have a barrel made. Where can I find a good .20 cal barrel in stock? Hart’s website is claiming a 8-10 week wait. Wonder how accurate that is. I’m also considering having the barrel fluted just for looks but don’t want to sacrifice accuracy. If the barrel is heavy enough will fluting change accuracy much? I am wanting this gun to be as accurate as I can make it out to 300yds. I have other guns if I want to shoot further than that. Thanks

If pure accuracy is your goal, I'd personally forego fluting. Rarely will one see an accuracy improvement from fluting (if ever!), but many have shot like crap after fluting, especially those in the thinner contours which one would want as a carry rifle, which is because the thinner contours heat up faster and the effect is more noticeable. I have read that the best fluted barrels are fluted before the hole is bored. Sounds reasonable, but I still believe the stresses incurred when fluting do weird things when the barrel heats - but perhaps boring the tube after fluting minimizes the problem somewhat. I have regretted getting a few expensive tubes fluted. Wish I could wind back the clock. The hart barrels are nice - I've run three of them now. Will stick with them.

 

[ben lurkin]

One of mine wears a Shilen 10 twist barrel in 204 R. It shoots the 32 gr pills into tiny little groups. As for brass or ammo, you can find it if you look. GB has some and it’s reasonable given today’s market.

 

[Stormbringer]

I have not seen any loss of accuracy in any of my fluted barrels. I have several that will shoot under .250 moa. This includes those with shallow or very deep flutes. I realize you are looking at doing a 204R but I would highly recommend a 20BR. I'm not sure if you indicated bolt face size on your action.