Colorado Redneck
New member
I am getting all het up to buy another prairie dog rifle in .204 Ruger. Have looked at the Howa Classic Varminter and Ruger Hawkeye Predator. Then I got to thinking about a "Ruger M77 Hawkeye Standard Rifle" and maybe restocking it with an after market unit. I have a Ruger MK77 in 25-06 and it is a tack driver with Nosler Accubond, so that is an interesting alternative.
The question: Is a Skinny Factory Barrel at a disadvantage compared to a Heavy Varmint Barrel for shooting 30-50 rounds per hour?
I have read various opinions, and some believe the heavy barrel will heat slower, and the POI will walk around less than a skinny barrel. My CZ American in .222 Remington will walk some if fired too rapidly---say a round every 30-45 seconds like a guy sometimes shoots in the heat of a prairie rat massacre. If it is allowed to cool a couple of minutes between rounds I can shoot the thing for hours with no cleaning or cool off.
Looking forward to reading your opinions!
The question: Is a Skinny Factory Barrel at a disadvantage compared to a Heavy Varmint Barrel for shooting 30-50 rounds per hour?
I have read various opinions, and some believe the heavy barrel will heat slower, and the POI will walk around less than a skinny barrel. My CZ American in .222 Remington will walk some if fired too rapidly---say a round every 30-45 seconds like a guy sometimes shoots in the heat of a prairie rat massacre. If it is allowed to cool a couple of minutes between rounds I can shoot the thing for hours with no cleaning or cool off.
Looking forward to reading your opinions!