Guys, I see that the Varmint 204 comes with a 24" barrel. The first 527 Varmint's in 204 came with a 25.5" barrel. Does anybody have any idea why they changed and has anyone noticed any change in accuracy?
Thanks

I have a .204 in a CZ 527 Varmint Kevlar that I got in early 2005 back when they were still using HS Precision stocks, in other words an early one. As a perpetual tinkerer and small caliber wildcatter I had the barrel set back .250 and had it re-indexed and re-chambered with a minimum spec/zero free-bore reamer to get rid of the giraffe like throat (no longer factory ammo safe!!!). I just measured it and it measures 23.68 crown to bolt face (I also had it re-crowned ) It shot well before and shoots significantly better now. I wasn't aware the CZ .204 Varmint ever had a 25.5 inch barrel ?? That aside I sure wouldn't worry about it's length or accuracy.
An interesting velocity test was done on the .204 by Bullberry, here's a link. Note the top velocity actually happened at 23 inches and there is a negligible difference between 22 and 24, combine that with the old fast barrel/slow barrel thing and IMO it's all "Much Ado About Nothing". I really like the rifles though, great small caliber wildcat platforms.

Bullberry

I was never aware that the longer barrel was available either. However, a buddy just bought a used wood stocked Varmint 527 in 204 with the longer barrel. There was/is one with the longer barrel for sale on GB.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=199117531

I have a Kevlar stocked 527 also with the 24" barrel.

Speaking of 527s, anybody have a wooden stock for the 527 they would be willing to part with? Maybe work out a trade for my Kevlar?

Montdoug, see the attached press release from CZ in 2004 when they first introduced the 204 Ruger. It indicates the Varmint came with a 25.5" barrel.
As Craigster said, there is one currently listed on GB that has a 26" barrel.
http://cz-usa.com/press-releases/94/

Here is another one for sale on GB with a 25.5" barrel.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=197847877

Peaked my interest what with being a died in the wool CZ fan, I called em. Not sure who's confused or where (other than me most a the time )....."but". The smith in CZ's technical dept stated that 24.5 was the longest barrel they had ever produced.
Don't matter and sure not trying to start a disagreement but as I said it did peak my interest and that's what CZ said. Course CZ is the ones that made that first run of Varmint Laminate .223 stocks 1/2 inch to short .
Oh well, they are what they are and the press release dang sure states what it states. I sure like CZ's that's one thing I know for sure .

Montdoug, interesting what the smith said about the barrel length. I have measured one at 25.5" and I'm sure it is a factory barrel. Marked 204 RUG. on left side and has identical proof marks as the action on the right side.
Also interesting is the serial number range. The one currently on GB with a 25.5" barrel is SR# A023418 and the one I measured is A310722. I don't know how to read a CZ sr# to date a gun, but I would assume that there are 287,000 rifles between the two, which would indicate at least several years between their production.
Seems like it may remain one of the mysteries that gun manufacturers like to throw at us.

Especially CZ .