Which way to go with a re-barrel

[Shooter Mike]

I spent 20 years shooting semi auto stuff in the Corps. Then I didn’t touch guns for 10 years and focused only on Bowhunting which I had done since I was a teenager. Last fall about this time I picked up a bolt gun. A ruger American 300 blackout to shoot suppressed at night on a kill permit. It worked out well. In January I bought a 7mm-08 and started to focus on better reloading practices and learning more about performance. In June I picked up a 7PRC, and have been learning to shoot magnum cartridges in a light weight hunting rig.

So at this point, I don’t really have much use for the 300 blackout bolt gun and am thinking about re-barreling it, in something faster and with more precision. Kinda leaning towards 204 Ruger. I realize I’m limited in choices due to the bolt face size, or can I just buy another bolt that’s compatible with a short action, and go with a bigger cartridge all together.

Fwiw, the barrel is on a chassis, albeit a cheap Magpul one.


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[ARK_Ginger]

Personally I would rebarrel to a shortish 223. You might even be able to take a factory take-off barrel

 

[Shooter Mike]

Personally I would rebarrel to a shortish 223. You might even be able to take a factory take-off barrel

I thought about that option too since I have a ton of 223/5.56 stuff already. 4000+ fps from the 204 has my interest though, and I’ll probably change my mind 6 times anyway.

What’s the opinion on Preferred Barrels? Lots of options to choose from with their custom barrels.


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[Ringbill27]

What is your intent for this rifle? Seems like speed is what you looked for. What are you going to use it for? I’m vote would the 223/5.56 for the variety of bullet options for handloading.

 

[Shooter Mike]

What is your intent for this rifle? Seems like speed is what you looked for. What are you going to use it for? I’m vote would the 223/5.56 for the variety of bullet options for handloading.

Just something to take to the range and have fun with, and see what I can accomplish with hand loads.


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[Ringbill27]

Just something to take to the range and have fun with, and see what I can accomplish with hand loads.

I gotcha. 204 loaded hot and burn that barrel down! I like it. I’ve got tikka donor I’m planned on spinning a preferred barrel in the future.

 

[Shooter Mike]

I gotcha. 204 loaded hot and burn that barrel down! I like it. I’ve got tikka donor I’m planned on spinning a preferred barrel in the future.

Whichever way I go will be a heavy barrel.


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[wind gypsy]

How does the 300 BO shoot with subs? Might be easier to just sell it and buy a different RAR in your desired chambering? I've been teetering on the edge of buying a cheap 300 BO bolt gun for critter control in the yard.

 

[StupidLightweight]

How does the 300 BO shoot with subs? Might be easier to just sell it and buy a different RAR in your desired chambering?

This is the way. You'll be money ahead selling the .300 BLK and buying a factory RAR in .223. Once you start down the custom barrel road, you'll drop a lot of money for minimal accuracy gains.

 

[ElPollo]

This is the way. You'll be money ahead selling the .300 BLK and buying a factory RAR in .223. Once you start down the custom barrel road, you'll drop a lot of money for minimal accuracy gains.

Agree with both SL and wind gypsy. Sell it and buy what you want.

 

[Shooter Mike]

How does the 300 BO shoot with subs? Might be easier to just sell it and buy a different RAR in your desired chambering? I've been teetering on the edge of buying a cheap 300 BO bolt gun for critter control in the yard.

It’s been fine. I’ve shot the 190 gr Maker Rex bullets for deer, and it’s done what I needed it to do. That’s a nasty bullet that does some damage.

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[wind gypsy]

It’s been fine. I’ve shot the 190 gr Maker Rex bullets for deer, and it’s done what I needed it to do. That’s a nasty bullet that does some damage.

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What kind of precision are you seeing with it? Point blank at deer is fine but i have a hard time getting excited about 3-4 MOA type precision if that's what there is to expect.

 

[Corvus Corax]

Ruger American predator in .204 can be had for about $550. A replacement barrel starts around $350.

 

[Shooter Mike]

What kind of precision are you seeing with it? Point blank at deer is fine but i have a hard time getting excited about 3-4 MOA type precision if that's what there is to expect.

About 1.5 with supers and subs, which I’m not shooting beyond 100yds.

Shot this with 110gr CX at 71 yds using the thermal.

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[wind gypsy]

That's some kill permit buck. oof.

 

[Shooter Mike]

That's some kill permit buck. oof.

Yeah. The area is flooded with does. Not many bucks. He has a twin out there though.


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[TaperPin]

My vote goes to a 204 Ruger - it shoots nice and flat out to at least 400 yards - similar to a 22-250 or 22 creed, has 1/3 the recoil of a 243 (2/3 that of a 223), and is dirt cheap to reload. Loaded ammo is as low as $.70ish per round, and you’ll be as low as $.40ish per round with reloads. Price bullets and you’ll do a double take because the price seems too low! Lol

I’m adding a 204 because so many guys are getting really good accuracy with relatively inexpensive barrels, and it fits the niche of a low powered round that still has plenty of range for plinking and varmints. Trajectory is within a few inches of my 7 mag at 400 yards so it feels familar, whereas a 223 is traveling at the speed of smell and has more drop. Heck, when I’m headed out to smoke a handful of varmints, the 22 creed and 22-250 may stay home more often. Same for the smaller 17 HMR since it’s so limited in range. Rather than fill the gap between these cartridges, it might replace them all for general use.

A custom barrel will most likely shoot better than trading your gun in on another factory rifle.

 

[Shooter Mike]

My vote goes to a 204 Ruger - it shoots nice and flat out to at least 400 yards - similar to a 22-250 or 22 creed, has 1/3 the recoil of a 243 (2/3 that of a 223), and is dirt cheap to reload. Loaded ammo is as low as $.70ish per round, and you’ll be as low as $.40ish per round with reloads. Price bullets and you’ll do a double take because the price seems too low! Lol

I’m adding a 204 because so many guys are getting really good accuracy with relatively inexpensive barrels, and it fits the niche of a low powered round that still has plenty of range for plinking and varmints. Trajectory is within a few inches of my 7 mag at 400 yards so it feels familar, whereas a 223 is traveling at the speed of smell and has more drop. Heck, when I’m headed out to smoke a handful of varmints, the 22 creed and 22-250 may stay home more often. Same for the smaller 17 HMR since it’s so limited in range. Rather than fill the gap between these cartridges, it might replace them all for general use.

A custom barrel will most likely shoot better than trading your gun in on another factory rifle.

Yeah, that’s kind of what I’m thinking too. And, I also want the experience of removing and installing a new barrel. But on the other hand, I already have everything I need for reloading thousands upon thousands of 223. And yet on another hand …. 4000+fps sounds fun


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[TaperPin]

Yeah, that’s kind of what I’m thinking too. And, I also want the experience of removing and installing a new barrel. But on the other hand, I already have everything I need for reloading thousands upon thousands of 223. And yet on another hand …. 4000+fps sounds fun


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It’s total worth learning something new - the first time you unscrew a barrel and replacing it with something that shoots great gives you a new connection to the rifle.