.204 Barrel length and twist recommendations

[andythechicken]

Hi

 

I am looking at getting a semi custom rifle made for vermin control in .204 calibre. Primarily foxes and long range rabbits. Aim to reload using 39gn Blitzking. Do not want too long a barrel as needs to have a mod fitted (over the barrel type). Will be shooting from a vehicle as well as walking around my permission.

 

Any recommendations for barrel length and twist rate?

 

Cheers

 

 

Andy

[cleaner4hire]

which 204 are you going for?

 

the most user friendly twist would be 1in11 as it should shoot everything upto 40vmax. Length wise 22-26 would be fine with not too much vel loss in the 204r, 20tac, prac and vartarg.

 

my 20tac has a heavy profile 26" barrel but i often think of getting it taken down to 22 or 24"

 

good thing about custom barrels is you can spec the profile, weight and fluting etc to suit your needs.

 

There is next to no recoil so a light barrel shouldnt be a problem unless you anticipate banging off loads of rounds quickly !!

[andythechicken]

Looking at rebarreling a sako 75 or remington 700.

 

Would probably get a barrel from Border Barrels and get a medium weight barrel, fluted, not sure about profile. I was also thinking of a 1 in 11 twist.

 

Will be speaking to the custom builder next week.

 

Andy

[Rem223]

I recently rebarreled a .223 Sako 75 to .204 Ruger with a fluted Pac-Nor barrel. This was 1 in 11" twist finished at 23" I think 1 in 11" is probably the best choice if you plan on using 39gr BK I really like this calibre. As mentioned above there is negligible recoil.

Edited August 29, 2010 by Rem223