Need for Speed? Let's look at the 204 Ruger!

[Guy M]

Recently I've been loading and shooting the little 204 Ruger a bit:

Have a Need for Speed? Try the 204 Ruger! – Ultimate Reloader

ultimatereloader.com

Lots of fun with this little varmint cartridge!

Guy

 

[ken158]

Not to rain on your parade….. but I cooked a barrel on a 204 with about 3000 rounds. Had the gun re-barreled to 20 Tactical and could not be happier!

 

[Guy M]

Not to rain on your parade….. but I cooked a barrel on a 204 with about 3000 rounds. Had the gun re-barreled to 20 Tactical and could not be happier!

Not raining on my parade at all. I never expected this barrel to last forever.

Regards, Guy

 

[orkan]

Hard to get excited about the 204 with the lack of quality brass. I too shot one for a few years (still have a couple) but prefer my .20-223AI. When you could buy fiocchi 40gr .204 for $17.99 per 50... the 204 was super compelling. Now they want $58 per 50... and the 204 is going to die an early death because of it unless some sanity returns.


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[JSHKS]

Barrels are wear items and easily replaceable.

Brass and ammo cost and quality will kill the 204, be a
bunch of others go as well if that's the case.


I thought the 204 was a fad and would fade away, then several years ago I had the opportunity to play with one, I was pretty impressed.
I built a 20VT for 32-34's, the 204 Ruger sees nothing but 40's. That wasn't enough I built a 20BR to run 50 and up bullets. The 20BR is still a work in process, but shows great promise and has been a pleasure to work with.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Been shooting the .204 since 2004. Best load was with 39 gr SBK on to of 26.8 gr H-4895. BR4 and getting 3,800fps + . still shooting the orginal Ruger 77 MII Target Grey 26". I only re-crowned it once and still shoots 0.156" MOA.
We have about 700 Nosler & Hornady pieces of brass and loaded several times. The only brass we don't have are the ones lost in the field. Wish Lapua made .204 Brass. Lost round count, but several K. When I re-barrel it will be a .204 again.
Some can neck down a 223 to a 20 , but the .204 was a 222 Rem mag necked down to 20 so don't see much value in necking down a 233 unless to use Lapua Brass.
We shot Chucks & PD with other hunters using the 22-250 and shot chucks out to 500 yds. Low recoil and can see the target hits. Also used on Coyotes with devestating effects.
We shoot Varmints Yotes with a 2.04 or .223 If we need something with more hitting power, and buck the wind better will go to a 6BR with 105gr,107gr, 110gr.
Seriosuly thinking about an addition with a 22 BR with 85 gr bullets.

 

[woodnut]

I have two in 20 TAC but my new favorite is the 20PPC. That little case runs a 40 gr. pill at +- 4000fps! It is also super accurate. The 20 TAc is also a fine and accurate round, pushing a 39gr. Sierra to 3800.

 

[cantfixstupid]

I have 2 in AR Platform 24" bull barrel, and they are a blast to shot Prairie Poodles with, you would think that throwing a 39 grain pill at nearly 4000 FPS in quick repetition would burn up the tube pretty quick, 1 has over 2500 rounds down the tube and the other over a 1000 and they shot just as good as the did when they were new. I have brass that have 5 firing on them and they are for the most part no worse for wear. I have a split neck every now and then but its very seldom. The 204 may go the route of obscurity in the future, but if it ain't broke don't fix it is my moto.

 

[jrock]

I like the 204. In a long barreled bolt gun, its impressive. Built one in an AR and its less impressive when compared to a 223 variant. If I did it over in an AR, I would do 20 practical.

 

[Bud LaRoche]

22 inch Bartlein 40g Berger at 3600fps 204Ruger anchors coyote very very well. 4 firings on Hornady brass with over book max using Benchmark.

Such a sweet cartridge. Bartlein 1:10 was certainly worth the wait

 

[BrentM]

Been running 204's for years. Great cartridge in a factory offering. Never have had issues with brass and getting excellent accuracy and low sd. I run mine on a good day to 1000 but 800 and in is better for spotting hits. I have one in a tc pistol running a 15" barrel and it runs 3480. All of the 20's are fun but in a factory offering the 204 is great option for yote smoker and no recoil trainer. For banging steel all day I run a 223 with fast twist and 80 grain class bullets but that 204 is always an easy go to.

 

[2ndtimer]

I get the appeal of negligible recoil and high speed, but is it really all that much better than my 15 year old 26" barrel Remington SPS Varmint in .223 Rem? Boring? Yes, but after 15 years and thousands of rounds, it still pushes 40 gr tipped bullets over 3700 FPS with impressive effects on gophers, prairie dogs and rock chucks at my 67 year old eyes maximum ranges. If you can afford it, more power to you. And since when does practicality ever enter the discussion on LRH?

 

[BrentM]

I get the appeal of negligible recoil and high speed, but is it really all that much better than my 15 year old 26" barrel Remington SPS Varmint in .223 Rem? Boring? Yes, but after 15 years and thousands of rounds, it still pushes 40 gr tipped bullets over 3700 FPS with impressive effects on gophers, prairie dogs and rock chucks at my 67 year old eyes maximum ranges. If you can afford it, more power to you. And since when does practicality ever enter the discussion on LRH?

20 vs 223 in the 40 grain range is significant difference in BC. So there is some difference if you wish to play with long range and wind, albeit, still difficult to manage in 10 mph winds et c. If you want speed out a 204 run a 30 grain in a 26" at 4200. 26 grainer at 4500. The whole intent of a small caliber and cartridge is a blend of speed and effectiveness in OEM offering. Wildcats are a whole different story.

 

[just_jon]

I get the appeal of negligible recoil and high speed, but is it really all that much better than my 15 year old 26" barrel Remington SPS Varmint in .223 Rem? Boring? Yes, but after 15 years and thousands of rounds, it still pushes 40 gr tipped bullets over 3700 FPS with impressive effects on gophers, prairie dogs and rock chucks at my 67 year old eyes maximum ranges. If you can afford it, more power to you. And since when does practicality ever enter the discussion on LRH?

Not better, just different. Mine loves 31 HH and IMR 8207 XBR @ 4345 fps.