I had a 28" barrel on a TC Encore years ago. Sold the whole thing with hopes to build/buy another. I've been thinking I'd build a bolt gun with a 26" barrel for no reason but fun, maybe p-dogs. What I really want is one in an AR, because shooting accurate auto loaders is too much fun. I'll start gathering parts as soon as I figure clear out the other 3 project guns I have right now. Good points are made about doing a 20 Practical, or 20-223 or Vartag or whatever over the actual 204 Ruger. It might be what I end up choosing.
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Need for Speed? Let's look at the 204 Ruger!
- Thread starter Guy M
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I have two .204 Ruger bolt guns and. .20 Practical in AR platform. Enjoy both styles. All suppressed. Using Dogtown brass in .204.
Is there a huge difference between 40cal .223 loads? Maybe not a huge difference, but there is a difference in speed/ballistics.
But sometimes you just need something different like a .20 cal projectile to make things fun and interesting.
Is there a huge difference between 40cal .223 loads? Maybe not a huge difference, but there is a difference in speed/ballistics.
But sometimes you just need something different like a .20 cal projectile to make things fun and interesting.
vedauvoo
Well-Known Member
I also really like the 204 on an AR platform. I just built one over the winter. Mine has a 24" Proof Research CF barrel, shooting suppressed, gas block tweaked to toss the brass out at 3:00.
Very useful for follow-up shots on a missed coyote, or when more than one show up for the call.
I couldn't find 204 Ruger brass when I looked recently, but I did find some 222 Rem Mag. Anyone try to make 204 brass out of these?
Also, anyone have practical experience with AR-Comp in the 204? For some reason I have a few lbs of this. Looks promising, but haven't worked anything up yet. I've been loading Nosler Varmint BT and Hornady V-Max, both in 32 gr.
Win748 is what I use, never tried the AR comp.
vedauvoo
Well-Known Member
I do have some 748 in my stock. I'll give it a try.
I've been using BL-C2 with good results, but supplies are waning.
Bruce Treloar
Well-Known Member
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- Dec 28, 2017
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Might be time to wildcat the 204 PPC , plenty of 220 Russian Lapua cases around.
Sounds good, but if already getting, <0.156 MOA and 3,800fps eotj 39gr SBK. in a 26" tubr. Iz do agree there is room for mprovememt. The the cost to chambe all the brass and for what "SPEED" woul I have the same accuracy???
We all see a lot of new cartridges for more SPEED. MOre speed = less brass and barrle life -SOMETIMES!
We are all for changing 204u Ruger to something with a little more case capasity, and still shoothe 39gr SBK.
I guess we will see
Tnank for all this good and intriguing informatation.
Len & Jill
Any suggestions on making an accurate AR in a 20 cal? What's realistically acceptable accuracy from an AR can/should you expect accuracy on par with bolt guns? Does that only work with premium barrels, BCGs, uppers, and lowers? If that's the case, what's premium? Forgive me, I'm a bolt gun guy but I really want a semi-auto 20 cal.
The only thing I can think of that can better-deal a 204 Ruger in the velocity department and be worthwhile, is a .20BR or .20BRA.
That's not just a rebarrel though. That's a new bolt face.
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The 20-250 will out run the 20BRA for velocity but I think the BR case speaks for itself in accuracy. For a .223 boltface dont overlook the 20SCC(20VTAI) its 200 fps faster than a 20VT and will run right with a 20 prac with the same bullet with just 21.5 of AA2200
Hugnot
Well-Known Member
I have both a .204R & .20P. The last .204R gave up at about 3000 rounds using 26.9 IMR8208 with 40 Vmax's. Re-barreled it to same, an 11 twist. I also have an 11 twist .20P that has been shot since 2014 - lost count of rounds, 25.5 IMR8208 & 40 VMax. I got a big batch of LC 5.56X45 brass & am using that for the .20P after much prep work. I also use CFE 223 for both.
Should I go for a .20 in an AR it would be the .20P.
Should I go for a .20 in an AR it would be the .20P.
"Any suggestions on making an accurate AR in a 20 cal? What's realistically acceptable accuracy from an AR can/should you expect accuracy on par with bolt guns? Does that only work with premium barrels, BCGs, uppers, and lowers? If that's the case, what's premium? Forgive me, I'm a bolt gun guy but I really want a semi-auto 20 cal."
Good quality barrel under a floated handguard. Good trigger, the rest of the parts arent as important. Obviously scope and shooter matter, but I spend premium $ on high end uppers or lowers when the cheaper options will work just as well. Obviously you don't want a lot of slop where the barrel mates to the upper.
Good quality barrel under a floated handguard. Good trigger, the rest of the parts arent as important. Obviously scope and shooter matter, but I spend premium $ on high end uppers or lowers when the cheaper options will work just as well. Obviously you don't want a lot of slop where the barrel mates to the upper.
