Optimum barrel length for 204 Ruger/17 Rem Fireball

Quote:
I believe it is 23 for the .204. I will try to find the test info.



Bullberry barrel works did a test for 204 barrel length i think they decided 23" as stated above

there is a thread on 17hmr.net that has some info on the 17fireball although not an official test just one guys opinion 24"
 
I run 22s and 23s on all of my calling rifles. A 22inch Tac20 and a 22inch 17Mach4 perform very well. Blast and report are very minimal.It does not take a very long barrel to burn up that small of a powder column. I would take a WAG that anything over 24 inches is not going to result in much added performance.

I just parted out a 17-222AI, I had no troubles getting 4200fps with a 25gr V-max w/ a 22inch barrel. I have a 23inch 17Jav right now and will be building a 22inch 17Jav once my Tac20 with a 23 is done. Handling IMHO is more important than a few FPS. YMMV
 
According to the gunsmith that built my .204 AR, 22" is the minimum barrel length to maintain accuracy/velocity factors.

That's considering a 1/12 twist rate..

I've considered a shorter barrel for a calling rifle in the .204, but don't want to sacrifice the accuracy for the weight difference.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I don't know about optimum, but I seem to gravitate to longer barrels for my varmint rifles. My CZ Varmint in 204 Ruger has a 25.5 inch tube and my old hunting partner's exact same rifle, bought a year or two later has a 24 inch tube. Both seem accurate as the dickens, but I like the way the longer barrel swings on running coyotes.
 
Weas,
I had read somewhere as stated above that 23" was the length. So I got mine in a 23" barrel and for accuracy it has been great.
 
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