Best out of the box 204 Ruger?

[Guest]

Hi All
Could I have some feedback from actual users of the 204 Ruger as to out of the box accuracy?
I am looking at buying a factory rifle in this caliber for medium range bunny busting and it would be helpful to get a handle on the best accuracy from a factory rifle.
Thanks in anticipation
APB

 

[lerch]

A lot of our customers have had great luck with the hvy bbl savage's.

My dad has a ruger M77 in a 18"bbl that is a good shooter, but SWEET JESUS it is loud with that short pencil bbl.

Try a savage or Rem, neither will disapoint you

good luck
steve

 

[Coyboy]

aussie, I have a savage mod 11, standard countour barrel 24" long. This gun puts the 40 grain factory hornaday load in 5/8" at 100 yards. My handloads using 28.5 grains of 748 and the bullets seated closer to the lands drives them 100fps faster and less than 1/2". The one thing I noticed about the factory fodder is it is much slower than hornady claims. 40gr factory out of a 26" tube published at 3900fps I think I was getting around 3680fps My loads are around 3775fps This is a cold weather load I don't use over 50 degrees, so if anyone loads start at 26 grains and work up.

 

[lerch]

COyboy,

I have heard this problem from many people, I have not found a person yet who has been able to attain the published velocities with handloads.

Not real sure why but it definantly seems to be a problem with the round.

Those Savages may not be the easiest on the eyes but they will shoot lights out

good luck
steve

 

[Fiftydriver]

Lerch,

I have yet to see teh "Factory" ammo come anywhere near what they are supposed to in the 204. I think the 32 gr Hornady load is listed at 4225 fps and I have yet to see that ammo average much over 4000 fps even in a 26" barrel.

Think they were a bit optomistic in their advertising trying to claim the 204 would match the swift in velocity??

I never understood how they were getting this velocity anyway. The 223 will hit 3800 fps in a 26" barrel with top loads using a 40 gr bullet. How can a same weight bullet in a smaller bore expect to be driven +100 fps faster with basically the same case capacity?

Fun little round but I think the factories shot it in the foot from the start printing these velocity specs and now no one can reach them. There are two local gun shops in town that have a specific 204 Ruger discount rack because the ordered in all these different 204 Ruger rifles and now can not sell them.

Give them the serious eye balling every time I go in.

Being a smith though, a 20 BR really has my attention if I were to build in that caliber.

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[dakor]

Kirby hit it right on the head. There is no way you are going to get swift velocity out of the 204. Infact I am was only 100fps slower with a 30gr berger out of my 223 then my dads 204 with a 32 Hornady. Do yourself a favor and get a 223 or 222 mag and just shoot the lighter bullets.

 

[lerch]

I had not chono the factory ammo yet, really didnt want to bother with it. About the time I got interested in that you all talked me out of the "speed demons" and talked me into long high BC bullets.

I know a lot of guys who have shot yote's with the 204 and the 32gr bullet only to see the dog run off, the 243 and 22-250 put the dogs down pretty good.

The 270AM FLATTENS them nicely

take it easy
steve

 

[Coyboy]

I put a 40 grainer in a yotes shoulder at 50 yards last year in Nebraska. 1st set-up of the morning, I was pumped. He spun 3 circles biting at his shoulder and made a quick duck behind a knoll. I finish the set and walk over the little hill to collect a pelt. What the HELL, no coyote. I can see for over 200 yards in every direction, looked for a 1/2 hour found where he spun a little more than ran off.

CBF on the shoulder only thing I could think of. Put that 204 away and got the 16" bushmaster out. Next 2 days I had 3 one shot kills out to 266 yards all drops with 55 grain soft points. With dime sized exits. Speaks volumes for the lowly little 223.

 

[elkfirst]

Bare none, you must look at the Savage with the Accutrigger. Off the shelf, they are incredibly accurate. Another good choice are CZ's also known as Brno's, again an extremely accurate off the shelf rifle. Finally, although I don't think they chamber a 204 Ruger is the Tikka's, basically a Sako just not as shiny. By the way, I own all of the above, Savage, CZ's and Tikka ... awesome.

 

[scottjohnson]

The savage is problaly the best out of the box factory gun available, Remington 2nd. I ditto Dakor about the 223 but sounds like you want a 204.
GOOD LUCK /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Fotis]

Don't forget the CZ 527 Varmint! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Montey]

I shoot a Howa 204 it shoots really tight groups with 32g and 42g Remington acru tips were talking three quarter inch out at two 220yards!! I have just tried 45g Hornabys and the gun hated them they dropped and scattered badly I am going to try the 32g Hornaby as they are 50pence cheaper than the Rems . Here in the Uk I shoot rabbits and fox and have found this round is easy to shoot with no recoile and flat trajectory have fun and shoot safe

 

[Trickymissfit]

Lerch,

I have yet to see teh "Factory" ammo come anywhere near what they are supposed to in the 204. I think the 32 gr Hornady load is listed at 4225 fps and I have yet to see that ammo average much over 4000 fps even in a 26" barrel.

Think they were a bit optomistic in their advertising trying to claim the 204 would match the swift in velocity??

I never understood how they were getting this velocity anyway. The 223 will hit 3800 fps in a 26" barrel with top loads using a 40 gr bullet. How can a same weight bullet in a smaller bore expect to be driven +100 fps faster with basically the same case capacity?

Fun little round but I think the factories shot it in the foot from the start printing these velocity specs and now no one can reach them. There are two local gun shops in town that have a specific 204 Ruger discount rack because the ordered in all these different 204 Ruger rifles and now can not sell them.

Give them the serious eye balling every time I go in.

Being a smith though, a 20 BR really has my attention if I were to build in that caliber.

Kirby Allen(50)

Plus their claims violate all the laws of physics and pneumatics. Same pressures and mass with different square inches of areas will give different velocities 100% of the time. The .223 has a larger surface are at the base, so it's gonna always be faster (physics 101)
gary