.204 Ruger Barrel Length

[CMBTshooter]

How well does the .204 Ruger do in shorter barrel length? I got a mini-14 that I'm not doing anything with and was thinking of having it rebarreled to something else. Nothing wrong with the .223, but I have an AR and to me the factory mini-14 leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'll see if I can dig up my data from the first .204 Ruger I owned. It had a shorter barrel. Current one has a 25" barrel...

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Mine has a 22 inch barrel and shoots right at 3960 fps with 32 grain.

 

[Guy Miner]

OT3, that sounds very much like what I got from my first CZ in .204 Ruger.

Not sure I kept that old data anywhere after I got the longer-barreled rifle... Hmmmm...

Guy

 

[FOTIS]

All mine were 26". Max velocity

 

[CMBTshooter]

Hmmm. So maybe 18-20 inches would be a little too short.

 

[Guy Miner]

Maybe - but I'd think it would still be a pretty zippy little rascal, even with a mere 20" barrel.

OT3 is talking almost 4,000 fps with a 22" barrel.

 

[gerry]

Even if you lose around 100 fps from 22" you would still be in the 3850-3900 fps range with a 32 gr bullet which is pretty good. I would go for it.

 

[CMBTshooter]

How well would varmint bullets do for self defense? I don't want to lose that capability with the rifle. Energy at distance still looks solid with the expected velocities.

 

[JD338]

How well would varmint bullets do for self defense? I don't want to lose that capability with the rifle. Energy at distance still looks solid with the expected velocities.

I am sure it would ruin a BG's day.
Myself, a heavier bullet would deliver the goods through denim and leather coats.
The new .224 cal 64 gr BSB is just the ticket should you decide to stay with the 22 cal. It was designed to go through automobile windshields and door panels.

JD338

 

[CMBTshooter]

Ruining someone else's day is the goal along with cheaper bullets. Without being able to find bullets to load and shoot I'm crawling up walls.

As it stands right now, the mini isn't impressive to me at all. If I'm going to tune it up it's going to get a new barrel, and if it gets a new barrel it might as well be chambered in something different. If I'm sticking with 5.56/223 I'm ditching the mini and getting another AR.

The main choices are --
-.204 Ruger
- 6.5 Grendel
- 6.8 SPC
- 300 BLK

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm not sure that changing cartridges/barrels is going to make you happy with the little Ruger.

 

[CMBTshooter]

Guy you might be right but who knows. Maybe the wife will like it.

 

[Wincheringen]

If you're looking at ASI work I can say you'll be a lot happier with it. ASI finished up my 3 gun Mini about a month ago. I went with the 1-8 twist 18" fluted .625 barrel, 3 point bedding, trigger work, adjustable Gen 4 gasblock, extended mag release, and a nice brake. Turnaround was very quick and work is top notch.

Its an MOA shooter now and totally reliable. I haven't tried it with the gas turned off, but I bet it would be sub MOA. I still gotta run the expensive steel mags, but I have a good supply of them and they last.

 

[CMBTshooter]

That's who I was looking at sending it to! With the adjustable gas block does it still throw brass everywhere?

 

[Wincheringen]

No, you can dial in whatever gas you want from zero to wide open. On the Gen 3 & 4 it is a positive click setting, the Gen 4 is profiled more like the factory block.

 

[CMBTshooter]

How would you compare the tuned mini to an AR?

 

[Wincheringen]

Honestly my Mini is just as accurate as any AR carbine I've ever shot.

I spent $450 on my Mini and $650 on the extra work, so I have $1100 in it. That is where you would be with a decent AR (Rock River, Colt, Stag). I've never liked the phony feel or twang in your ear of an AR. I do own a few (Rock River NM and Rock River G3). Cheap magazines give the AR the only advantage in my book.

ARs are everywhere and there a lot of goodies to add on, not as many with the Mini but for my purposes it fits better. The Mini is simple and reliable.

 

[CMBTshooter]

How was the turn around time? Did you go with one of their packages or did you just have them upgrade here and there?

 

[Wincheringen]

The .625 barrel package with a couple add-on items. Turn around was about 2 weeks if I remember right, including shipping both ways.