Which .204?

[Sniper66]

It seems that all of us spend a fair amount of time thinking about our guns and shooting...I am no exception. Here's my latest dilemma. I have a Ruger #1 in .204. Beautiful gun and a very good shooter, but not excellent by my standards. So, I am looking for suggestions about other .204s. Saw a Remington 700 VLS on Gunbroker that might be an option. What models do you own out there that you really like? Brands? Models? I am primarily a prairie dog shooter, so am particularly interested in rifles that can consistently make 200+ yd shots.Thanks for your help. Tom

 

[firesky101]

I am looking at getting an upper for my AR in .204. The only other .204 I have shot has been a #1, so no new insight there.

 

[redneck2]

I've got a CZ in .204. It's pretty sweet. Took a while to get it tuned in. Got the set trigger tuned down to maybe 8-10 oz.

If you're a PD whacker, I'd check out Varmint's Den. There are a ton of guys over there that varmint hunt. Actually, I guess they most all do. Lotsa good info without fluff. Those guys are the real deal.

Good info on loads, etc. IIRC, there's a guy that's got a Remington 700 in .204 for sale right now. Sign up on the forum and look through the classifieds.

http://www.varminthunters.com/

HTH

 

[GJgo]

There's a really nice, brand new CZ 204 w/ the set trigger (blue, wood) in the library at my local Cabelas. I literally almost bought it the other day but I don't really have the scratch right now, I talked them down to $589 just to see. Handles way better than the long / heavy barrel counterparts. If you're in the market I'd recommend it.

 

[viking499]

If I was going to get one, it would be a CZ.

 

[Fat_46]

I have the Howa 1500 in 204 with the laminate thumbhole stock. I just got back yesterday from my annual PD shoot. This is the 2nd trip out to SoDak with this rifle. Its amazingly accurate for an out-of-the-box rifle. I was consistently making hits between 300 and 425 yards (not much wind). I did break a piece off the extractor this time, but am ordering a new one.

To date, she has more than 1000 rounds down the pipe, and shoots like she was brand new. There are drawbacks, though, as replacement barrels are a gunsmith-only operation. I'll cross that bridge when I need to. I've also been unable to find a single shot sled for this rifle, but that's not a huge deal, as single rounds seem to load pretty well.

 

[porktornado]

olympic arms or dtech if you don't mind a black rifle. i was looking in to getting one for quite a while. i have heard VERY good things about these guys' .204s. i would love the low recoil mixed with quick follow up shots on yotes. I've heard 23" is the optimum barrel length back when i was in deep research.

 

[viking499]

What should be a rough idea on barrel life for the. 204?

 

[dubbleA]

Have a CZ 527 Kevlar in 204 Ruger. It shoots ok, the single set trigger is "so so". It can be set faily light but the obver travel is horrible. I woud prefer a different trigger with a 6ozto 16oz pull without a set. It's a decent rifle overall.


Some 5 shot groups working up a load.




Final load developement..

 

[A-FIXER]

I run Savage model 12 VLP 26'' stainless proud of her.

 

[squarepants33889]

Put my vote in for Tikka T3 Lite in .204 ruger. Have a couple hundred rounds through mine so far and love it. It's most redeeming quality is it's superlite carry weight.

 

[Sniper66]

I appreciate the comments about .204s. I keep hearing good things about CZ and Tikka. The groups posted by dubblA are better than mine. I love the .204 round, especially when I hear the pop that follows a solid hit on a p-dog or the sight of a p-dog when a hit sends him flying 10 feet. Don't get me wrong, I like my Ruger #1, it is one of the prettiest rifles I own, but I don't love it and I am not satisfied with 2" groups. I have killed 100s of p-dogs and several coyotes with it, but I just don't have that easy confidence that accompanies me when I shoot my 17HMR or my .223. When I head to the dog town, I tend to pick it up last. I think the answer is to keep buying 204s until I get it right

 

[magnatecman]

I have a Browning A-bolt that is no longer made in 204 Ruger. It was not the most accurate with factory loads, 1" to 1 1/4" with Hornday 40gr. I now load Sierra BK's 39 gr. and they shoot great. I love this rifle!!!

 

[slowr1der]

Any one of the Savages would be my choice.

 

[birdshooter]

I'm quite partial to my CZ 527 Varmint. Fantastic shooter. Really lays a hurt on the prairie dogs! I've got around 1,000 rounds through mine and it still shoots great. (wish my photography skills were as good as dubbleA)

 

[BrainOnSigs]

Once I shot my 1st Cooper, I was sold. I now own five with two chambered in .204 Ruger.

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

I use these out west exclusively for prairie dogs. 90% of my shots are between 150-250 yards. I keep track of shots fired and p-dogs hit. I am running at 88% for the last 8 years. Which is pretty good considering the breeze in South Dakota on many summer days.

My reloads are dialed in and both shoot the same load equally as well.



Cooper Model 22 Montana Varminter


Cooper Model 22 Phoenix.....my son thinks that it is his....

 

[Sniper66]

WOW! I am officially jealous. If the lottery is good to me, I'll upgrade my collection to include Coopers, but until then, I'll probably stick with Savage or CZ. Great pics!!