Which .204?

I have a Ruger #1 .204, which I like, but don't love. I have shot hundreds of prairie dogs with it and a few coyotes, but have come to prefer shooting my Remingtons (.223 & .243). My #1 shoots good but not great and the balance is a bit off to me. The scope mount has to be set forward requiring me to stretch my neck to get a clear view in the scope. I don't really want to go to the expense of a $250 Kepplinger trigger and a gunsmith charge to shorten the stock. Does anyone out there have a personal favorite .204? Why do you like it? Have you shot more than one brand? I really like the .204 round and am eager to find a model/brand that fits my tastes better.

I have a Cooper Montana that has served me well. definitly not as "quriky" as previous number 1s i have owned.

I own a Cooper Model 22 Montana Varminter in .204 Ruger and a Cooper Model 22 Phoenix in .204 Ruger.

They both sport a Leupold VX-III 6.5-20 x 40mm scope.

The sod poodles hate 'em. :evil:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL875/3165911/7400197/332707419.jpg

http://brainonsigs.smugmug.com/Other/Things-that-go-BANG/Jesse-Cooper-Range-3/1172465230_M4Cpb-L.jpg

http://brainonsigs.smugmug.com/Photography/Cattle-Branding-1/pdog4b/424334846_v4tqu-M.jpg

Have several Coopers myself but not one chambered in 204 Ruger.

My little 204 is in a CZ M527 and is a fine little rifle. It's fairly lightweight, balances well and is a good shooter. It's built on a mini mauser design and is fed from a removable magazine. There are a few people that hate the way the magazine looks and there is a guy that shortens the mag so it doesnt protrude as far down as the 5 shot factory one. While some love the single set trigger on them I feel that they are so so. You can set them right at a pound or just a bit lighter but I cant get over the horrible overtravel. They can be had in the wood stocked "American" or the "Varminter" version which sports a decent Bell & Carlson synthetic stock. The varmint version has a slightly heavier barrel and comes with a matte finish. All in all the 527 is a nice rifle and I am happy with the ones I have.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/dubbleA/Rifles%201/IMG_2636.jpg

No cherry picking a bughole , just a average target shot while working with handloads.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/dubbleA/Targets/11-25-10-204Rugerloads.jpg

All in all the 527 is a nice rifle and I am happy with the ones I have.

Nice looking 204. Kevlar stock? What other CZ's do you have?

Nice looking 204. Kevlar stock? What other CZ's do you have?


I suppose CZ uses the term "kevlar" as a marketing gimmick as it's associated with toughness/body armor. The stock is a B&C as already stated and has the aluminum bedding block. My other CZ's are a 527 American chambered in 221 Fireball and a 550 Safari in 416 Rigby.

dubbleA never disappoints with the pictures. great rifle collection.

The stock is a B&C as already stated and has the aluminum bedding block.

Oops, missed that. Thanks.

just a run of the mill howa, weatherby, or cz should work well.

Thanks everyone for all the tips about .204s. Gotta save money for the Cooper, but I sure like the looks of it. The "Kevlar" CZ looks good too. I saw a new Remington VLS at a gun show for $700 and should have bought it. I have that rifle in .243 and my brother has it in .223...both really accurate. And the comment that #1s can be "quirky" is right on target. thanks for all the feedback. Tom