.204 Ruger Build #1

AR/M4 Custom Build Forum
1

I built this for my uncle who was primarily interested in a small varmint gun with occasional precision shooting. It was sort of a project I was interested in building to evaluate the function and accuracy of the .204 Ruger round in an AR. I also wanted to do something that wasn’t “tactical” looking for him. Not sure I’m completely satisfied with the aesthetics, but it is different.

Some of the parts were sent to me by my uncle and are not necessarily what I would have selected. I did push pack on a few items (like the bolt catch) and contributed several that I had lying in my spare parts bin.

Here are the parts we used:

Lower

[ul]
[li]Spikes (his)
[/li][li]DPMS chrome takedown.pivot and mag release (really a satin silver)
[/li][li]G&R LPK bits for the rest save the trigger group (my spares)
[/li][li]Gissele SSA-E (spare)
[/li][li] TD grip (spare)
[/li][li] Misc spares (RE, Magpul TG, etc)
[/li][li]Magpul UBR (my spare) with bead blasted aluminum highlights and satin silver cerakote on the steel screws to match.
[/li][/ul]



I didn’t like the finish of the buttplate, so I sanded the rearward portion with 400 grit wet/dry paper to better match the barrel.

Upper
[ul]
[li]DPMS Lo Pro (not what I would have used, but supplied by my uncle)
[/li][li]Shilen fluted 24" .204 Ruger barrel (furnished by uncle)
[/li][li]JP rifle length VTAC HG (old spare)
[/li][li]Young NM BC (supplied to me. Decided to stake this properly)
[/li][/ul]
Before

After some “MOACKSing”
[ul]
[li]Sadlak GB (supplied by uncle) replaced by EGW GB as the damn rifle tube wouldn’t fit on the Sadlak even after reaming the shit out of it.
[/li][li]BCM Gunfighter CH, Mod 3 (spare)
[/li][li]Larue 1" LT-104 (old spare)
[/li][li]More satin silver cerakote on some of the screws
[/li][/ul]

MISC
[ul]
[li]Nikon Monarch 5-20x42 scope (spare)
[/li][li]Magpul Pmags and DH 20 round mags to test feeding
[/li][/ul]

Remarks

The rifle is damn heavy with the scope- too heavy to want to lug around for sure. The UBR helps to balance the heavy front end, but the weight is still biased toward that end. Here’s what it weighs with the 19oz scope and 7.1 oz LaRue Mount:

I took this to the range to sight in in and test some ammo in 32-40gr. I was surprised at the low recoil and accuracy out of the gate using factory ammo. The best group I obtained was my last with a 6-shot 0.88" string (ran out of ammo) at at 100y:


Please excuse the caliper reading, the actual group measured 0.88"

I’ve since sent the rifle to my uncle and he said he’s gotten 0.54" groups with his handloads, but I called BS on that since they were only 3 rounders.

Feeding and extraction are perfect using DH mags, PMAGS and NHMTGs as long as the bullets are factory OAL. Naturally, longer bullets need to be loaded manually. For the latter, I used a Schuster follower in a Brownell’s 20 round mag.

What did I learn?
[ul]
[li].204 feeds, extracts and shoots well
[/li][li]needs only a barrel change as you can use 5.56 bolt and mags.
[/li][li]This rifle, like most varmint ARs, is heavier than it needs to be and too big. I have no need for a 24" barrel. Velocities in .204 from a 20" barrel are likely sufficient for my needs.
[/li][/ul]

I’m incorporating some of the findings from this build for an upcoming project of my own:

2

That next project looks pretty cool…keep us updated
ARDVARK right?

3

Yes. I’m not sure what to call it other than a lightweight varmint AR, but it better be at least 3 lbs lighter than this one with the scope or I’m going to abandon the project.

4

Weight aside, in my eyes that’s one cool looking varmint rig. You really did a nice job with the custom touches! Awesome that it shoots so well, too!

5

Thanks TXSUT. I’m quite certain this rifle can outshoot me.

I should mention the OAL for these rounds need to be no longer than 2.26" to feed properly from factory mags. We’ve been loading to 2.25" and change and haven’t noticed any change in performance. I know we were using Varget, but can’t recall how much for each bullet weight. I can get that info if necessary.

6

I love the Vltor stock, BTW. When I get the money I’m upgrading to an A2-length clubfoot.

What barrel profile? Dimpling/fluting? Maybe a shorter handguard is in order, that one looks unnecessarily long and thereby heavy. Of course you probably have your reasons that I haven’t considered.

Good luck with it.

7

It’s an A1 length, but I probably should have gone with the A2.

The barrel is going to be a slimmer profile WOA 20" .204 that will be fully dimpled. They call it their HBAR light or something and you have to call to order- and wait about nine weeks or so. Here’s a pic before the dimpling:


Even though it is lighter than the conventional HBAR the scale indicates 3.0 lbs. Heavier than I expected. I’m hoping that Marvin can remove approx 10-12 oz with the dimpling which should make this a sub 6 lb rifle less optics.

You’re on the right track with most hanguards and this one is a full 15". However, I have a trick up my sleeve:

It’s a carbon fiber tube mated to an AL HG nut which uses the stock BBL nut. Total weight with a stock barrel nut is 7.8 oz! The CF is so light that trimming down to, say, 12" will save about an ounce.

Okay, I think I just derailed my own thread…:wink: