[adaman04]

End my misery! I have been considering getting a .204 for quite a while. My problem is, in the back of my mind I keep fearing that as soon as I buy one, something new will come along, or it will fall to the trusty .22-250. I also am having a problem deciding what platform I want a .204 in. Sometimes I think I would just like a trusty bolt gun, but other times I think I should go with a T/C Encore so I can change barrels and have a whole new gun for less money. So basically, I have two questions in one here (sorry).

A) Is the .204 going anywhere?
B) What platform do you recommend for my new rifle?

[bearmgc]

I've noticed more write ups recently about the .204. Highly reccommended for varmits.

[ElKabong]

I dont think it's gonna disappear anytime soon.

I'm on the east coast where there is probably less use for it that the midwest and western states that have healthy prairie dog populations. Yet, I see quite a few of then at local ranges and hear a lot of talk on them.

I myself bougt a Handi rifle in 204 on a whim. It'll shoot under an inch with 32gr Hornady factory's & gets close to .5" with handloads.

For under $300 (including the cheapo tasco varmint scope) it's pretty hard to beat (probably upgrade the glass soon).
I think I may get another in either a CZ or Remington 700.

Haven't tested it out on groundhogs or coyote but I think it'll get the job done on the former quite well, and probably the latter with 45gr bullets or so.


2cents,

ElKabong

[brentwal]

Ruger will do all it can to keep it's rifle cartridge alive.

[JohnKSa]

There are quite a few manufacturers making firearms chambered for it.

If no one else had jumped on the bandwagon, I'd be worried. As it is, I think it's here to stay...

[adaman04]

Well, I guess I have to agree. I just don't see it going anywhere. At least I hope not. It seems to be a great round and I hear a lot of good things. Now, I guess I just need to decide what rifle I want to get it in. :rolleyes:

[Coltdriver]

The .204 is the fastest factory load available to day. Beats the .220 swift and the 22-250 and has less wind drift than either due to a higher BC.

I have one on an Encore frame. When I dialed it in it took less than 20 rounds and I was hitting shotgun shells at 300 yards. To shoot a rifle that is that flat all the way out to 300 yards is spectacular fun.

If you reload there are a few hand loads that are getting to the 4200 fps level with the 32 grain hornady bullets.

The Encore is a great platform and I got one so that, like your thinking, I could get a "new" rifle to play with for the cost of a barrel.

[adaman04]

T/C has had my eye for a long time. But, on the other hand, there are a lot of rifle that catch my eye, being the "gun enthusiast" (read "gun nut") that I am. The Ruger M77 Ultralight is a beautiful rifle as well. :D

[Essex County]

Sorrt, but I see it fighting with the .17 Remington for breath of life 10 years doen the pike.............Essex

[Vern Humphrey]

I myself bougt a Handi rifle in 204 on a whim. It'll shoot under an inch with 32gr Hornady factory's & gets close to .5" with handloads.

For under $300 (including the cheapo tasco varmint scope) it's pretty hard to beat (probably upgrade the glass soon).


Why fix what obviously ain't broke?:D

[adaman04]

I know the .17 Rem. is very popular among coyote and varmint shooters, but I think the main competitor for the .204 is the .22-250. Not that there is a right or wrong answer on this topic, I respect and appreciate your opinion, so don't get me wrong there. Thanks for all the opinions so far!

[Gewehr98]

Heck, somebody will probably even come out and say it's a darn fine deer cartridge, just wait. :scrutiny:

[Buzztail]

The 204 is the factory twenty, so unless you look at one of the other fine 20s available in the custom gun/cartridge combo it's your only choice.
BTW I have a 204 over some of the other fine twenties for that reason

[Coltdriver]

If you reload the difference in powder between a 22-250 and a .204 is meaningful.

But the biggest difference is that at 4000+fps loads your 22-250 will burn the throat somewhere between 1000 and 2000 rounds. The 204 does not have this problem.

At this point in cartridge development the difference between any two calibers is going to be small. There are not likely to be massive improvements until some new technology comes out.

Hornady has done a fine job in creating a very fast round that is inherently accurate. Its a lot of fun and fills a niche, just like all other cartridges do these days.

[theCZ]

I think it's a pretty good little cartridge. It's fast, has less recoil than a 22-250 or 223, doesn't burn barrels, and if you wear out the barrel on a 204 you can get it rechambered in a whole lot of great varmint cartridges since it has a 222-size bolt head.

[mr.trooper]

While i would never use the 204 for anything bigger than a Coyote, one Fool-Hardy Magazine writer did take it to Africa, and was sucessfull in using the 204 Ruger to take some of the smaller antelope species.

If soemone would make a factory load with a non-fragmenting bullet, like a FMJ or a solid copper round, id jump on the .204. Heck, id even settle for a aftermarket component. But untill then, i refuse to buy any cartridge whos only avalible ammo is the highly frangible type.

[JohnKSa]

Worth noting that some of the smaller antelope species are about the same size as or even smaller than coyotes. ;)

[Buzztail]

try this on for size
Twenty Caliber info page (http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html)

[adaman04]

The .204 is a stud, for sure. I liked that write-up. It was quite informative. Thanks!

[StrikeEagle]

Worth noting that some of the smaller antelope species are about the same size as or even smaller than coyotes.

Aye! A *lot* smaller, actually! Here's a picture of a dikdik next to a bird:

http://home.speedfactory.net/tcashin/colorado/dikdik.jpg

And the suni is even smaller than the dikdik! :what:

StrikeEagle

[coyote204]

.204-yes
Get a Remington 700 VLS

[gbran]

I am really impressed with the .204, at least until I looked at the ballistics of the .243 WSSM offerings. The 55 gr Silvertip actually has better ballistics than the .204. It's a tad flatter. But you can use a 95 gr Silvertip or 100 gr Power point cartidge in the same gun and be able to shoot anything from small varmints up to deer. This really intrigues me to have a caliber/platform that versatile.

I have a T/C and really like it. I'll probably have to go to Bullberry or some other custom barrel maker for this cartridge if I stay with the T/C.

[22-rimfire]

Even if every manufacturer quite building rifles for it tomorrow, you would still be able to buy factory ammo for years. If you want one, buy it. It is not going to die anytime soon.

[El Rojo]

Even if every manufacturer quite building rifles for it tomorrow, you would still be able to buy factory ammo for years. If you want one, buy it. It is not going to die anytime soon.Well said. Plus, if you don't have a reloading set up by now, this would be a good excuse to get one. Then it wouldn't matter if it died out, there will always be .204 caliber bullets somewhere.

And I would never buy a .204 Ruger. I am more practical. I use .22 LR under 100 yards, .223 between 100-400, and .308 for longer shots. I just don't see the need for me to get a crazy caliber when the calibers I have work and for cheaper. So knowing I don't care for the .204 and thinking that the round will be around for a while, that should help.

[Wilburs Horse]

When the oooooos and aaaaaaahhhs fade the accuracy of a given cartridge and the number and type of rifles that have been chambered for it will keep it going if it is going to. Jim Carmichael loved this chambering in the Ruger #1 he tested. He was going to order one for himself. My son is probably going to buy a .204 in a Savage Varmint Rifle. We go shoot prairie dogs..ya.

[JohnMc]

Heck, somebody will probably even come out and say it's a darn fine deer cartridge, just wait. :scrutiny:
Aren't Florida Key deer about 50 lbs? Seems like a darn fine Key Deer Cartridge!:D

[StrikeEagle]

Aren't Florida Key deer about 50 lbs? Seems like a darn fine Key Deer Cartridge!

Yes, but Suni deer (tiny antelope) are only 10-12 pounds. Seems wickedly overpowered as a Suni Deer Cartridge!

http://www.dallaszooed.com/animalfacts/animalfacts.php?id=44&name=PQRS&ci=15&li=15

StrikeEagle ;)

[redneck2]

Yes, but Suni deer (tiny antelope) are only 10-12 pounds. Seems wickedly overpowered as a Suni Deer Cartridge!

Is that on the hoof or field dressed? Makes a difference on how much meat you get....

one sandwich or two

[Correia]

I've had a .204 Rem 700 NRA engraved gun on the wall of my store for a month now. (on consignment, NIB). Here in Utah there is almost no knowledge or interest in the .204.

If any of you guys want it, give me a call. :p

[warpig308]

I have a question. I was dead set on buying a 22-250 but I heard about the .204. Does anyone have an opinion? I am looking for semi-auto small caliber high velocity. But I don't want to break the bank. What are the makes , models, price. Im new to the lower caliber rifles. You can E-mail me at warpig308@aol.com. Thank you in advance.