204 Ruger - yay or nay?

[Frank Green]

I have fired thousands of rounds through .204 caliber barrels in .204R, 20 Tac and 20/250. No more issue with copper fouling than in any other caliber. Might have something to do with internal bore finish? Will @Frank Green comment on this?

I didn't read the whole thread.

Yes bore finish can effect copper fouling.

Also the throat. If the reamer left a rough throat that can cause the barrel to strip extra copper from the bullets jacket and lead to a fouling situation.

The load you are running? Pressure and heat can cause fouling also as well as velocity. Anytime you start going over 3200fps....it's going to be harder on the bullet.

Type of bullet? Or should I say even from the same maker...lot to lot can vary how the barrel will foul also.

If you are still using the same bullet/load...try a different brand of bullet/or different lot and see what happens.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Kocher]

3 years later and brass availability has changed…plenty of 204 ruger brass..available
Picked up a shilen gas gun barrel and 1000 pieces of 204 brass last year… unfortunately I have not shot it much because not only did the 204 bras came in but also 6ARC.

Will up date when i shoot it some more…
I wish the 204 brass was a little stronger as it tops out at 50,000psi? If I recall in the reloading manuals?? That is how the 20 pract/tac makes up the powder charges loss to the higher 204 ruger case capacity= increased max pressure!

higher powder charges and you get pre-mature unlocking of the bolt and starts to too eat the case rim. Even if adjustable gas block… if you single shoot the ar204 (close gas block off) the bolt will not make any marks to case time or show pressure signs… so bolt gun can go hotter…

 

[SWgeezer]

I have a 20x 6.8spc that will fly past the 204. Tough brass.