204 Ruger question

[BCall]

I bought a brand new 204 Ruger Handi a while back, and I just now started setting it up to shoot. I was looking at it closer and was wondeing if I had something unusual. According to H&R's website, a 204 Handi has a 22" barrel, but an Ultra has a 24" fluted barrel. My gun is a standard Handi, but the barrel is marked 204 Ultra. It is 24" but not fluted. Do all the 204's have 24" barrels, or did the factory mess this one up? I'm not complaining, I don't mind at all, I was just curious. Thanks, Billy

[Manitobahunter]

I just went down and checked mine and it has a 22 in. barrel.  It is the standard handi.  Shoots excellent with the 22in barrel.  I wonder if the 24in is any better.  Let us know how it shoots.  Mine really likes 32gr sierras.

[LONGTOM]

I have one of each.
The two look the same to me except one has a 22" barrel and the other has a 24" Ultra barrel.

Just started shooting the Ultra.
It seems to like the Hornaday 32gr V-MAX and the Hornaday 45gr SPs.
The 45s print about 1" higher than the 32s with the same scope setting.
Thought that was a little strange.

Have never tried the 45s in the 22" barrel.
It loves the 32gr V-MAX so much that I never tried anything else.


LONGTOM

[trotterlg]

The slower bullets hit higher (at least at 100 yards)  because they are in the barrel longer and the muzzel has a little more time to rise.  Seems strange at first, but it happens with all rifles.  Larry

[oneshotonekill]

The 24" barrel is considered a bull barrel.  I have a 24" non-fluted 204 and it is the heavy contour the 22" is a standard contour barrel.  I don't know if they offer a 22" bull barrel but I would assume your rifle is a model that comes with the bull barrel and that is why you have the 24" tube.   

[quickdtoo]

The 204 Ruger Handi comes with a 22" bull barrel, always has, there always have been some odd barrels available from time to time that are special orders by retailers like Dick's, for example, I have a 24" fluted .270 that came in a combo with camo stock and a .444 barrel.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/youth.asp

[BCall]

Thanks for the info guys. This one came brand new from Wal-Mart here locally. I was just wondering about the barrel. I'd just as soon have a 24" bull, so it works for me. I thought I ordered a standard 204 Handi, but got the 24". Should get to shoot it this weekend. Billy

[kansasj]

Mine has the 22 inch bull barrel.  Loves the 32gr V-max---You will never enjoy a caliber as much as the .204--fast, fair and friendly!

[gendoc]

i have one of each... 22-heavy  and a 24-heavy
the 22 seems to outshoot the 24 with anything i feed both of them....
the most accurate load is with the 40gr nosler in the 22"
seems odd, but its true!!!!!!!!!!
speed is cool... but accuracy @ 200yrds is better for me for my type of varmits.....

[1911bmw]

I've got the same rifle.  Zeroed at 200 mine will shoot 1 1/2" groups with factory ammo.  About 3/4 moa.  Not bad.

[PHATINJUN]

I think the 24" Ultra bbl came on the Ultra Hunter and the 24" fluted came on the Ultra Varmint but then what Tim said also. Kurt