Author Topic: Barrel Life question... (Read 968 times)

LouD · « **on:** October 07, 2004, 12:14:47 PM »

Looks like I'm gettin' another small bore. Not that I don't love my .223, it's just that the fascist's over ther border (California) don't allow me to take it there (AR-15). So I'm tossing around either a 204 Ruger, 22-250, or 25-06. I don't really anticipate putting more than 50 rounds a day/ ~2000 rounds a year through it, but a friend has brought up the subject, so.... will there be any significant difference in barrel life? The 22-250 and 204 both have heavy weight varmint barrels, the 25-06 a 26" regular barrel....

Thanks !!!

Timberghozt · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2004, 01:02:50 PM »

I am having a 25-06 AI built now,anxiously awaiting its completion to push an 87 gr bullet as fast as I can.

Barrel life?Thats what Shilen, Douglas and Lilja are in business for. :-D

In seriousness Loud, unless you sit and shoot long strings out of your 22-250 or 204 Ruger I doubt you will do it harm.I wouldn`t shoot em to see how orange they`ll glow but average shooting,I say nope.You won`t see much in the way of barrel washout.I shot a Ruger MK77 heavy barrel 220 Swift for about 10 years.When I sold it ,it would still shoot half inch groups at 100 yards with ease.I kept it clean and didn`t heat it up and never had a problem with the renowned "barrel killer" Swift.Good luck with your new rifle..

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:29:42 PM »

Timberghozt's advice sounds good here!

Is also the opinion of on of my favorite gun writers that if you can shoot out a barrel, go ahead and do it. It will be worth the overall experience.
I Agree

warf73 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2004, 08:02:18 PM »

All I know is what the ads. say about the 204 haven’t shot that many rounds threw mine yet. The 204 was designed to out last the 22-250 and 220swift in barrel life.

On another note I bought a custom 22-250 that was used when I got it. It shot just under .250" groups at 100 yards when I got it. When I sold it was shooting just over 1.5" groups at 100 yards. I myself put well over 10,000 rounds threw it in a 5 year period. Cleaned it after every outing if not during. It never got hot or what I call hot. (Leave hand wrapped round barrel near the receiver for 10 sec.)

After trading it off I felt bad because it was still a great rifle. But all my hunting buddies left and wasn’t the same hunting a big Pdog town all by my self.

The nice part about a long big heavy barrel is once the accuracy goes south you can take it down to the smith and have it cut and rechamber it. Much cheaper than a barrel job.

The 204 is very accurate but so can a 22-250. The 204 the ammo is still mail order only (last I checked) but the 22-250 can be picked up at Kmart Wal-Mart and any local gun shop.

If you reload the bullet selection for 22cal is much greater (more brand names) to 20cal is made by Hornady or Berger. Unless you by custom bullets.

Both are great rounds and can’t go wrong with either.

The 25-06 well I'm reloading for one now that is very particular on bullet weight 115-117gr. anything else just shoots like crud. But that’s not saying that the 25-06 won’t do everything that you are looking for a caliber to do.

Hope this helps.

Warf

LouD · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2004, 11:51:23 AM »

Well, I pulled the trigger, so to speak, on the new "secret" weapon last night (secret because my wife doesn't know...). It's a Ruger # 1 Stainless Varmint in .204 Ruger. Got it at the new Sportsman's Warehouse in Reno. Now I just need some cartridges... they were out ! When they got them they're $13 /box.

Timberghozt · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2004, 12:07:04 PM »

Loud, I do like that cartridge from what I have read about it.The only con I find in it is that you don`t have near the bullet selection available for the .224`s.I looked at one a while back,a little Ruger synthetic stock with SS barrel and I have to admit the itch almost got the better of me.If it will do the velocity that Hornady says it will, it will be one wicked varmint round.My next rifle is either a 6mm-284 or a .17Rem.That .20 Ruger can supposedly outrun a 17 caliber Remington.If so,its derned sure fast...Good luck with your new rig...

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2004, 12:24:38 PM »

LouD Please send me one of those Ruger #1's.

Will be doing good to see one around here within the next 6month.

LouD · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:04:19 PM »

First time I saw the # 1 in 204 here as well. I got the last of 3 they had. $659 plus tax... $708 out the door. Where you at in Illinois ? I went to school in Macomb (many moons ago ...) Also had a branch of the family in Ottawa several generations back.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2004, 07:31:38 AM »

Am about 20miles east of Springfield. Not much out here but my closest calling site is within 300yds of my back door. :grin:
That Macomb (Western) is still a popular campus for the college kids. Have a neice that attends there.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2004, 12:12:10 PM »

Gentlemen,
Just to let you know you can get 204 bullets from James Calhoon in Havre Mt. I use them in all my Varmint rigs and swear by them. All you have to do is give him a call and he will ship them to you.

406-395-4079

You will not regret it.........Have a good day.........Joe.........

warf73 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2004, 08:06:21 PM »

LouD

Midsouth has them for $11.97 a box and has the the 32gr. pill in stock.
Here is a link to get ya there faster.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000383204

I love mine. Got mine in the Target Grey® M77 Mark II Target. Sweet shooter so far.

The 32gr. pill chronys within +50fps of factory call out on the box.

Warf