Colorado Redneck
New member
The .204 Ruger (Ruger Hawkeye Predator) I am currently trying hard to wear out has 13-1400 rounds down the tube. Got it new and it has been mine for 15 months. These loads aren't loaded super hot, but are near the max book load. The only purpose for this gun is to shoot grass rats, and it does that very well. Just guessing, it may be half way through its useful life give or take a few hundred rounds.
My question is, what do you all do when you get to the end of a barrel life? Do you sell the gun? Trade it? Put a new barrel on?
I recently re- barreled a Savage with a Criterion. Bought an action wrench, barrel nut wrench and go-no go gages. The project was fairly straight forward and I would do it again in a New York Minute. Only problem is, the other guns aren't Savages. To re-barrel a Ruger Hawkeye it likely will cost $500. Sure, it will be a custom barrel, but the factory barrel is working fine, so that is almost a moot point.....I will admit the Savage is a better shooter than it was with the factory barrel, and a real pleasure to use.
So, this is probably going to become an issue unless I kick the old bucket fairly soon.
I would enjoy any comments and ideas and personal experiences.
My question is, what do you all do when you get to the end of a barrel life? Do you sell the gun? Trade it? Put a new barrel on?
I recently re- barreled a Savage with a Criterion. Bought an action wrench, barrel nut wrench and go-no go gages. The project was fairly straight forward and I would do it again in a New York Minute. Only problem is, the other guns aren't Savages. To re-barrel a Ruger Hawkeye it likely will cost $500. Sure, it will be a custom barrel, but the factory barrel is working fine, so that is almost a moot point.....I will admit the Savage is a better shooter than it was with the factory barrel, and a real pleasure to use.
So, this is probably going to become an issue unless I kick the old bucket fairly soon.
I would enjoy any comments and ideas and personal experiences.