Author Topic: 22" 204 Ruger Handi - still 4200+ fps with a 22" (Read 1351 times)

loadmat · « **on:** February 08, 2004, 06:08:10 PM »

Hey Gents,

I am an NEF owner X 3, and new to this site. I would like to thank Big Blue for Directing me here from the now-defunct H&R Talk site. I saw on the hr1871 site that they are coming out with a 204 Ruger Handi. I just started coyote hunting here in Idaho, and was wondering if anyone can tell me how much that 4200+ fps is going to drop off coming out of a 22" NEF Handi, verses the 26" sky-high priced Ruger models? Why can't NEF produce it in 26" like the .280 Rem. & 25-06?

Duce · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2004, 02:56:36 AM »

Loadmat: Remember this is only an opinion. I own a .280 with a 26" barrel, what I found was that it shot great but just doesn't balance or handle well, a small complaint at best.

Now with the .204 I'm willing to bet that 4" extra barrel will only gain you at the most a couple hundred feet per-second. With the shorter barrel being easier to handle and swing in the field, I feel those few hundred fps would hardly be missed. Hey!! Welcome Too!!! <><

Duce:

loadmat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2004, 05:17:01 AM »

Thanks for the info. I thought it would be nominal, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the welcome also.

loadmat

scruffy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2004, 07:31:22 AM »

I think the old rule of thumb is 200fps for every inch. Although I've heard 100fps, 50fps, so who really knows. Using 200fps/inch drop a bullet from a 26" barrel doing 4200fps will be 3400fps out a 22" barrel (4" x 200fps = 800fps - 4200fps = 3400fps...).

Now, would I expect this much drop in velocity, I doubt it. I expect more of a 200 - 300 fps drop out the shorter barrel, but I'm of course just guesing. It all depends on the powder burn rate. If the bullet reaches max velocity in 24" then a 22" barrel won't hurt that much. If 26" is when it reaches it's max, then a 22" will take a hit in velocity.

I guess we'll have to wait and see when someone gets one and shoots it through a crony.

later,
scruffy

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2004, 07:48:23 AM »

It won't hurt your POI anyhow and a yote or p-dog can't tell 200 FPS diff if ya told him.

Big Blue · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2004, 12:55:24 PM »

loadmat,
I'm glad you found your way over here. I think we have a good thing going on this site. More of the old members are showing up everyday, and we have a gracious new host.
Don

B.Davis · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2004, 07:34:22 PM »

Loadmat, Thanks for the heads up on this sight.
the .204 should be around 3600 to 3800 out of a 22" barrel. I think.

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2004, 06:46:11 PM »

loadmat
It'll be interesting to see how it really pans out but on the Marlin leveraction forum a lot of guys were shooting short barreled guns and asked the same questions. It always came out to between 25 and 50fps per inch. In this case it should still deliver in the 4000fps range. Time will tell.

If you get one, be sure to let us know.

Wlscott · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2004, 03:52:10 AM »

I have always heard that you will loose 25-50 fps per inch of barrel length.

If the factory velocity numbers are accurate, you should be in the 4000- 4100 fps range. Still plenty fast. The question is, how fast is it at 200 yards....Or 300 yards?

I haven't been able to find these numbers. ONly the muzzle velocity.

handirifle · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2004, 05:03:14 AM »

I have a magazine at home that I think published real time numbers and trajectories, but I'll have to wait till this afternoon to look it up.