Building a new .204 AR

General discussion and information about the 204 Ruger.
tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

Long time lurker... now that I have ordered my barrel I decided to become a forum member.

I started a new AR project a while ago and decided to try out .204. I just finished ordering everything else I need in order to put it all together.
The Build:
Saber Defense lower
RRA upper
DPMS 24" fluted heavy barrel, 1/12 twist
Troy Industries Battle Rail 13"
RRA varmint 2 stage trigger
Badger Tactical Latch
Magpul PRS stock
IOR Valdada 6-24x50 glass
RRA Scope mount

I would have loved to splurge a little more on the barrel and trigger but this is all the budget allowed for right now since I also had to buy brass, dies, bullets etc. those are in the mail as well. :P

I'll let you know how things go.
venison_burger
Junior Member
Posts: 76
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:01 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington 700 sps chambered in .204 ruger
Location: NW Minnesota

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by venison_burger »

Looks like a fun project. Don't forget to post pics when you're done!
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Bodei
Senior Member
Posts: 442
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:23 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa Mod 1500 24" BBL .204R; Cooper M21 20 VT; CZ 527 17HH
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by Bodei »

Pics and range report please. Sounds fun.
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K = ½mv2
tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

Hopefully my barrel will ship this week :( I ordered it last weekend and still no word. I'll get some pics up as parts come in. First time AR build so I hope it goes together smoothly. Days are going by so slow since placing orders....
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Sidewinderwa
Senior Member
Posts: 648
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:39 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savages
Location: Washington state

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by Sidewinderwa »

Sounds like a fun project. I have not gone to the dark side yet but keep being tempted. Keep us posted on your progress and range results. Oh pictures of course. :mrgreen:
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Please, no Sidewinder today!
tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

just found out my trigger is on backorder...bah!
tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

It is progressing but I've had some set backs with the trigger and Barrel. The barrel should be here Wed. but now I need to find a trigger that doesn't break the bank. I also realized I don't have a .20cal case trimmer pilot so one more thing to order... I'm sure I'll have a range report some day, it just won't be too soon.

so far so good :D


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tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

Finished! I ended up buying a CMC trigger and lucky me it seems defective... Its a single stage trigger with 3.5 lb pull but there is a ton of creep and it seems real inconsistent. The guys over at CMC where really helpful and asked me to send it back and they'd make sure I get one that works as intended. But now that will delay my range report. I will probably test fire it with the standard trigger in the next couple of days and make sure it actually functions... This thing is defiantly not a pack rifle, weighing in at 13 lbs with the bi-pods and unloaded. Eventually I intend to build another upper to easily switch it over to a pack rifle with a 16" pencil barrel and light weight scope.

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tx204
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:58 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: AR15

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by tx204 »

So I'm checking on bullet seating depth and I think that will be the biggest issue with accuracy. Recommended cartridge length is 2.26 and the bullet sits in the lands at 2.288. I still need to check how well they fit in the magazine at 2.26 as well. We'll just have to see how it goes...
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Tokimini
Senior Member
Posts: 428
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:21 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington 700 SPS with a Shilen barrel
Location: Victor, NY

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by Tokimini »

Nice looking rifle.
inKYfromSD
Senior Member
Posts: 158
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:26 am
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527 varmint .204, Cooper Model 21 20 VarTarg

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by inKYfromSD »

Nice looking "evil black rifle". :) Hope the trigger works out for you. The throat in that DPMS barrel is a lot shorter than my TC. You should be able to find a sweet spot with no problem. At 13 pounds that AR probably won't move much at all after the shot. Do you use a brass catcher?
Big_Bullseye
Senior Member
Posts: 100
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:08 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger #1 Varmint Stainless - Custom Noveske AR15 .204

Re: Building a new .204 AR

Post by Big_Bullseye »

If you Prairie Dog you have just built your dream rifle. Find a good load and go have some fun.

Me and my three sons bring about 8 rifles out west every year to hit the dog towns and several are sweet little Coopers and CZ's and I find myself having the most fun with my factory built Noveske 204 AR. That thing is just a sweet shooter and with a high power leupold on top those little suckers don't have a chance.
Doveryai no Proveryai
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