I need a caliber that equals the 204 ruger

[mcfadden222]

I'm looking to get a new rifle and have an annoying buddy who has a 204. He thinks its the baddest caliber on the planet. Don't get me wrong I know its sweet as hell but I dont want one just bc I'm tired of hearing about it. I was thinking of a .221 fireball or 20 VT. Do you guys have any experience with these compared to the 204? Or anyting else you can recommend. I kind of want to stay with a 20 caliber unless someone really pursuades me into a 17 fireball or whatever else.

I don't care about limited bullet selection, money, .223, 22/250, 220 swift's, I just want something mean and cool

 

[gshipps]

We must have the same buddy! Problem for me is he married my cousin.

 

[exbiologist]

.223 WSSM. You can push 40 grainers up over 4500 fps and shove it up his you know what

 

[unwise11]

.220 Swift will lower him a notch on the ego poll, so will .223 in a good rifle with good handloads.

 

[mcfadden222]

nothing "normal" I want an odd ball or a wilcat. Any ideas?

 

[Maverick223]

I just want something mean and cool

.408CT?

The .204Ruger is a pain to clean (like any sub-.22cal.) IME. I'd go with a .224 or 6mm diameter projectile (for a varmint cartridge), and would lean towards the .243Win....it'll beat the tar outta that wee little .20cal! Additionally, you might not like 'em but so will a good .220Swift or .22-250Rem., and a .223Rem. will get pretty close if properly loaded and afford much better bbl life than any of the above.

 

[mshootnit]

220 swift!

Or if you really want to kick some butt... 22-6mm Rem improved
There was an article (I forget the author) on this wildcat, and it was titled "Half Mile .22's"

 

[scott5]

Hey Mcfadden,
Why not try something in 6MM Remington.
That's almost a wildcat, and you can get a 55 gr. projectile to over 4000 fps.
And you can get a 60 grainer up past 3700 fps.

 

[pikid89]

.22-243

quite overbore, but some dude on one of the reloading forums had one breaking 5000fps

talk about some serious splat factor on p-dogs

 

[mljdeckard]

Exactly what is it he thinks it will do that any of these other hyper-velocity cartridges can't do?

One clear disadvantage is that to maximize the performance, you must use factory ammo. You can't handload it to the same velocity.

 

[memphisjim]

.223 wssm the cartridge alone should do it

 

[mljdeckard]

(And what's the difference between a 22-243 and a 22 CHEtah?)

 

[Maverick223]

Why not try something in 6MM Remington.
That's almost a wildcat, and you can get a 55 gr. projectile to over 4000 fps.
And you can get a 60 grainer up past 3700 fps.

I really like my 6mmRem. I don't feel it is right for someone that doesn't handload, but he mentioned wanting a odd-ball cartridge, and that certainly fits the bill.

 

[pikid89]

how about .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer---.378 Weatherby necked down to .22

or perhaps even

.17 Flintstone Super Eyebunger --- .22-250 necked down to .17

 

[slabuda]

Ok Ok I "know" you said .20 cal....

But if you want a wildcat, especially one you can get over the counter some places have a look at 6mm-.284. The ballistics look awesome on it.

Im not up on .221 fireball but I have heard it mentioned more than once as a good caliber.

 

[husker]

I would get a 243 & make him go set up targets. KEEP walking. NO NO thats to close.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Just challenge him to a feral hog hunt with the stipulation he use his puny .204, while you use a .30-06 or some other more suitable caliber. Anyone who loses an animal pays the other $1000.00 in cash.

That will shut him up pretty damn quick.

 

[WardenWolf]

What about .25-06? The velocity isn't as high but the bullets are more than twice as heavy.

 

[Leaky Waders]

For 22 I'd got for a 22-250.

For a little bigger...one could go 240 weatherby. For a more practical all around flat shooting game fetching round...I'd go 257 weatherby.

No one's going to kill an african buffalo with one round from a 204 ruger anytime soon...weatherby did it with a 257. Maybe a publicity stunt from a good rifleman, but still impressive nonetheless.

LW

 

[BoilerUP]

22-250AI or 220 Swift AI.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

good old 22250 will leave the 204 in its ballistic dust.

 

[mcfadden222]

I do love the 6mm cartridges. A 6x284 is gonna be my next gun after this one. I am wanting to stick with the .20 calibers. Anyone Have any experience with the 20 vartarg?? Thanks for all suggestions btw!

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm looking to get a new rifle and have an annoying buddy who has a 204. He thinks its the baddest caliber on the planet. Don't get me wrong I know its sweet as hell but I dont want one just bc I'm tired of hearing about it. I was thinking of a .221 fireball or 20 VT. Do you guys have any experience with these compared to the 204? Or anyting else you can recommend. I kind of want to stay with a 20 caliber unless someone really pursuades me into a 17 fireball or whatever else.

I don't care about limited bullet selection, money, .223, 22/250, 220 swift's, I just want something mean and cool

It depends on how you want to impress your friend. All of the suggestions so far will out range the 204 Ruger.

The 221 Remington Fireball is a cool cartridge but will not have the same range of the 204 Ruger. It uses less powder, is a little more quiet, and can be used in more compact actions. Similar comments on 20 Var Tag and 17 Remington Fireball since they are based on the same case as the 221.

Shilen makes a 24" heavy AR-15 barrel chambered in 204 Ruger. Easy to build and my 204 Ruger AR shoots 1/2" at 100 yards. Blow your friend away with 19 quick follow up shots.

How about one of the 19 caliber cartridges from James Calhoon?

 

[txhoghunter]

I just want something mean and cool

^by definition..... .50 BMG

But I would say that it does a little more than "equal" a .204 Ruger, about .306 inches more than "equal" ....

 

[mcfadden222]

Oh man those 19 calibers look pretty awesome!!!