I'm about to send off a Mini Mauser action for the works, which includes a new barrel. The barrel will be a light contour and about 20" long. Coyotes and beer cans are what this rifle will be used for so the light barrel shouldn't be a problem (no prolonged firing.)<BR><BR>I was reading on the Bullberry sight were the .204 top FPS with a .32gr is only good for about 3960 FPS with a 20" barrel. I'm not sure where the .223Rem would be at, but I'm assuming it wouldn't suffer as much. I realize the short barrel will take it's toll on velocity, but this will be a walking gun and I want balance and light weight. <BR><BR><BR>I'm a little lean on small calibers. I have a .17HMR, .22LR, .243 and a couple of .257's<BR><BR><BR>What are your thoughts?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Terry.204 Ruger.223 RemNeither, your nuts to want to build such a rifle.

TC:

I still am not sold on the 204 Ruger....Every time I get the urge to rebarrel a 223 to a 204, I get someone telling me negative experiences with it...
from people who own them....

In a mini mauser action, I'd be more likely to lean toward a 20 caliber on a 221 fireball case... more efficient.. which would be particularly comforting in a light short barrel...

I myself was looking at talking myself into a Rem 799, Mini Mauser, with a 20 inch heavy magnum contour barrel in a 20/221... for a light walkaround rifle.....

Maybe check out some of the stuff on the 19 caliber off of Calhoon's website on the 19 Calhoon, and the 19/223.....

Contains some interesting stuff....just some more food, for thought...
good luck with the project any way ya go...

cheers
seafire

The .223 is an unbelievable cartridge. Use the 40 grain BYs in it and you'll tip over coyotes a long ways out. The 50 grain will also do the trick nicely.

It's main advantage is it's easy to load, cheap to shoot and more bullets available than Carter has pills.

Nuffin wrong with the .204 in it's place I think...just the .223 can do a lot more things due to the variety of bullets available if you have the right twist to shoot them.

My uncle has a 204 M77 and he seems to think very highly of it. I am also considering a .204 in the near future. If however you decided not to build off the 204 why not just chamber it in a 22-250. You would gain power and FPS as well as still have the same selection of bullet as you would in a .223. In bolt guns I don't see the point in shooting a .223 but maby thats just me being ignorant.

Waffen,
It's an apple and oranges deal, the mini mauser action won't work too good in 22-250.


Chris

Terry
My little MiniX has a 21" barrel from breech to crown. It pushes a 40 gr at 3650fps over a chronograph. Brass doesn't seem to take a beating. It's got a $20 Douglas barrel. Somebody ruined the threading job and couldn't use it so I got it cheap. I didn't vote on your poll because you didn't have a spot to check that said build both!
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