.204 Ruger

[mr6pt5]

I'm new to the board and have done a little browsing, I have yet to find any mention of the 204. I do find others like 220, 243,22-250 etc. Doing a comparison of the 204 to the 243 the 204 performs better.
Hornady .204 40 gr v-max, 3900 fps
Hornady .243 58 gr v-max, 3500 fps (guess)
overall the 204 shoots flatter, past 500 yds is faster and has more energy.
Just looking for thoughts.gun)

 

[6mm Shooter]

The 243 will push a 58gr v-max close to 4000fps out of a 26" barrel. I have both of these chamberings and they both have their place. My 204 Ruger goes to the gopher fields and the 243 with 95gr Bergers comes deer and coyote hunting.

 

[mr6pt5]

like I said it was just a guess, but pushing 4000 would definately change things. My 204 has 1 dog, so far, we'll see after the tournament this weekend if I can add more.

 

[hvyw8t]

My 204 will push a 40 grain pill about 3800 fps, my 243 will push a 55 nosler at 4100 fps with lapua brass. The bc of the 243 55 grain pill is .276. The bc of a 204 40 grains is .239. The 243 will knock the socks off of a 204 when it comes to energy delivered esp at ranges in excess of 300 yards. The 204 is pretty sweet in the gopher patch or when my 7 year old wants to shoot.

 

[whitely]

I shoot the .204 with the 39gr Sierra Blitzking, which has a published BC of 0.287, at around 3800 fps. I currently use Reloder 10x (24.8gr), and Federal 205M primers. If you compare the windrift/drop with a load like this to all the other 20/22 varmint rounds, its hard to beat.

 

[wildcat]

MR6PT5,

I love the 204 Ruger. I am a varmint hunter who loves to see the varmints turn into "Red Mist". I also love velocity and poly tipped bullets, they are devestating on varmints and put them down quickley.

I have been searching for the perfect high velocity rifle designed around a poly tipped bullet for varminting out to 800 yards. I have finally found the perfect combo. The set up is called a 300 Varminter built and designed by Richard Franklin of Richard's Custom Rifles. The 300 Varminter will push the 125grn Ballistic Tip at 4000+fps out of a 30" 1-15 twist barrel. Not only does it push the 125grn BT at 4000+fps, it does is accurately too. The 300 Varminter is designed around a Match Tightneck Chamber using the 300 WSM Norma cartridge, Custom Action and Bartlien 30", 1-15 twist barrel.

The 300 Varminter, pushing the 125grn BT at 4000+fps, shoots flatter than a 300 RUM with a 200grn Accubond. However, the 300 RUM with the 200grn Bullet will be better in windy conditions. The 300 Varminter is performing very well with it's owners. I have spoken with many of them, and they are in love with it's performance. They are also reporting excellent barrel life with this chambering.

The 300 Varminter concept reminds me of the 204 Ruger. Shooting poly tipped bullets at very high velocities to obtain massive destruction and terminal performance on varmints. Don't get me wrong, I love the VLD type bullets too, they have their purpose.

However, they do not kill as well as the poly tipped bullets. I have shot many of varmints with the VLD bullets, and I have watched them crawl back into their holes because the bullet didn't expand. If I am shooting past 800 yards, I will choose a VLD type bullet. However, if I am shooting only out to 800 yards, I will always go with the poly tipped bullets.

W.

 

[mr6pt5]

Hopefully the 'yotes will be coming to the call this weekend. I definately want one to hang up beyond 500 yds so I can give the 204 a real test.gun)