Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Hunting
Varmint Hunting
204 or 223 for Prairie Dogs
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TigerOnThe Hill" data-source="post: 2751767" data-attributes="member: 125976"><p>Etson, I've gone through the same exercise multiple times myself. When my son first started pd hunting, I bought him a Stevens Model 200 in 223. I wanted to get him a Savage bolt gun and that was basically the only model I found. It's been a good gun. Some years later one of my son-in-laws started pd hunting w/ me and he had a 204 Ruger. It was really the first time I'd seen a 204 in action and I was impressed. At the same time, my brother-in-law starting pd hunting w/ me. A few years later he bought his first pd gun, a Savage bolt gun in 204 Ruger. I really like the 223 Rem, nevertheless, I think the 204 is a little better. A really good thing about the 204 is it allows the shooter to spot his own shots, something I could never do w/ a 223. The main drawback to the 204 is the availability of quality brass. Winchester and Remington are......well, they're Winchester and Remington, not something to crow about and rarely available. Hornady brass availability is limited and quality is inconsistent, varying from below average to ok. I found this out when I started loading for my SIL's 204. Midway now sells their store brand "Dogtown" brass (I've been told by Nosler that Nosler makes Dogtown branded brass.) I bought #100 for my SIL but haven't yet loaded it. Even if it's good, availability has been limited. It was because of the brass issues that I built a 20 Practical rifle a few years from a Stevens Model 200. I get very near 204 performance (velocity is about 50 fps < 204), but brass is a lot better. I use Lapua 223 Rem Match brass, Redding 223 Rem Micrometer seating die and Redding 223 Rem FL neck bushing die. The brass necks down easily in 2 or 3 steps using different size bushes If you handload, I'd give serious thought to the 20 Practical. There's lots of good info on the net telling you how to do it. If you get a 204, I'd get on Midway's waiting list for Dogtown brass.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TigerOnThe Hill, post: 2751767, member: 125976"] Etson, I've gone through the same exercise multiple times myself. When my son first started pd hunting, I bought him a Stevens Model 200 in 223. I wanted to get him a Savage bolt gun and that was basically the only model I found. It's been a good gun. Some years later one of my son-in-laws started pd hunting w/ me and he had a 204 Ruger. It was really the first time I'd seen a 204 in action and I was impressed. At the same time, my brother-in-law starting pd hunting w/ me. A few years later he bought his first pd gun, a Savage bolt gun in 204 Ruger. I really like the 223 Rem, nevertheless, I think the 204 is a little better. A really good thing about the 204 is it allows the shooter to spot his own shots, something I could never do w/ a 223. The main drawback to the 204 is the availability of quality brass. Winchester and Remington are......well, they're Winchester and Remington, not something to crow about and rarely available. Hornady brass availability is limited and quality is inconsistent, varying from below average to ok. I found this out when I started loading for my SIL's 204. Midway now sells their store brand "Dogtown" brass (I've been told by Nosler that Nosler makes Dogtown branded brass.) I bought #100 for my SIL but haven't yet loaded it. Even if it's good, availability has been limited. It was because of the brass issues that I built a 20 Practical rifle a few years from a Stevens Model 200. I get very near 204 performance (velocity is about 50 fps < 204), but brass is a lot better. I use Lapua 223 Rem Match brass, Redding 223 Rem Micrometer seating die and Redding 223 Rem FL neck bushing die. The brass necks down easily in 2 or 3 steps using different size bushes If you handload, I'd give serious thought to the 20 Practical. There's lots of good info on the net telling you how to do it. If you get a 204, I'd get on Midway's waiting list for Dogtown brass. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Hunting
Varmint Hunting
204 or 223 for Prairie Dogs
Top