.204 a true barrel burner?

I’ve got a CZ that I used briefly during a Prairie dog hunt. It seemed to heat the barrel much less quickly than, say a .22-250. Probably about the same as a .223.

Unless you’re going to use it for significant target work, I can’t imagine you’d burn it out.

My CZ is exceptionally accurate with 39 grain BK’s over Varget

Never owned one or shot one but when I worked for Les, he built one on his AR platform that shot a 1.9" ten shot group at 600 yards. Don't let anybody tell you that a .204 isn't a long range cartridge.

Welcome to the monkey house!

I have a 26" heavy barrel 204 Ruger AR-15 that I use on prairie dogs. I think the accuracy is falling off with a bit over 2000 rounds through it but I have not had time to shoot it on paper since the last time we came home from South Dakota.

Loads I use are 40 grain polymer tipped bullets at 3500-3600 fps.

With the rapid follow up shots with an AR, it is easy to put alot of heat in the barrel. To help slow down my shooting, I only load flour or five rounds in the magazine.

I do have a new barrel on hand if I decide the old barrel is showing signs of poor accuracy.

Anything just about can and will wear a barrel. The .204 is not among the worse of them and given its velocity potential it seems to be kinder on barrels than other things in that class.

I figure if one has the money to wear out a barrel (sanely) then one has to money to afford the new barrel. Especially in today's market with ammo prices!

They don't burn anymore than any other- don't shoot it til it's red- like any other- AND they have threads on them.....if you are shooting enough to wear it out GOOD FOR YOU .....and screw on a new barrel and keep going!

How long will it take you to fire 2000-2500 rounds if you’re only chasing fox? That’s only about when you’ll see a change, not s limit. Consider this to be the 70’s of a 204R. It might go down hill fast from there, or might be a gradual decline. But making it 3500 without significant velocity loss and notable accuracy loss would be like a 95yr old woman doing back handsprings...

No there not bad, normal hunting would last a long time.

Varminterror said:

making it 3500 without significant velocity loss and notable accuracy loss would be like a 95yr old woman doing back handsprings...

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Look up Johanna Quaas

MachIVshooter said:

Look up Johanna Quaas

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That was the reference... there’s only ONE... the OP shouldn’t count on his one barrel being the ONE 204 Ruger barrel which makes it to 3500rnds without velocity or accuracy loss...

Varminterror said:

That was the reference... there’s only ONE... the OP shouldn’t count on his one barrel being the ONE 204 Ruger barrel which makes it to 3500rnds without velocity or accuracy loss...

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Gotcha!

As an aside, she is truly impressive to watch. Most of us could never do at any age the feats she pulls off being nearly a centenarian!

Just picked one up, some of the gents in this thread have helped me out in another one. My first foray into small bore and trying to get to cloverleaf groups. I do really enjoy the caliber though, super mild and fun to shoot. A couple guys I asked suggested it over a 22-250 because of muzzle blast, and I've been happy. Probably not too much helpful info from me here, but I don't regret it.

To address question #2, really no experience there, but if and when I do burn up the barrel, I personally know I have gotten my moneys worth. Ill pay for another barrel no problemo if it means more shooting time