The .204 is a handloading proposition for the time being, imho. The cartridge is great for prairie rats, but I think a bit small for yotes unless you reload some of the heavier berger bullets. The stated ballistics of the Hornady 40 grainer outperform the .22-250 beyond 300 yards, but I don't know ANYONE that is getting 4225fps or 3900fps out of the Hornady factory loads (32 & 40 gr, respectively).
New cases are not yet available. Once fired cases are about $30/100 on the ebay auctions. Factory loads are hard to come by, although Midway seems to have a good supply on hand. I just can't bring myself to pay $15 for 20 rounds to shoot prairie dogs when I can reload them for about $20/100, or buy ball .223 for $3.99/20
I just came back from my annual coyote hunt and let a friend use the .204. He didn't take a shot, but I took several yotes with the .25-06 and would not personally use the .204 on yotes, but for rats at 200+ yards, the .204 may be the ultimate round.
Good luck.
CE
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"A hunter should not select a caliber and bullet that will kill when everything goes right, rather,
should choose ones that will kill when everything goes wrong."
"Recoil lasts a second, but gravity lasts forever."
I'll deny this if you ask me face too face but realistically whatever can be done with a 204 can be done with a 22/250 and the 250 does it cheaper with a much larger selection of ammo.
If you just want to have a superfast badboy varmint round go too the 220 Swift or a custom like the 224 TTH or 22 Cheetah.
I've been shooting a 204 for about a month now and it is a very accurate and fun to shoot rifle. Being able to see bullet impact through a 16x scope is worth every penny to me. Also it is very fur friendly. I killed 3 coyotes this weekend at 210. 228, and 287 yards. No exit and you can't hardly find the entrance. These were handloads w/ 32 gr. v-max and BL C(2) powder @ about 4000 fps.
Reloading for the 204 is not any more expensive than any other cartridge about the only thing you need that you don't have already is dies and some specialized cleaning equipment.
Is it any more accurate than my 22-250? No. Is it more fun to shoot? YES! Is it easier on fur? VERY MUCH YES!~!!!
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"What we do in this life echos an eternity"
My uncle bought one, I've been using it off and on for about a month-month and a half...I've not reached past 300yrds with it yet, but probably to within an inch of that far...it's done very well. I do agree that it is incredibly handy to be able to SEE your hit on paper OR on a coyote at long ranges...After the first few days out I got to where I never lost the target from the scope even during cycling...which would be handy if I needed a follow up shot on a wounded yote.
It was also nice to not have to worry about big exit wounds. With the right bullets in the .22-250 or .223, this isn't an issue either, but there wasn't any worry with the .204.
However, I don't think I'd buy it if it were to be my only coyote/varmint rifle. Like Red said, there's nothing really special about the .204 compared to a .22-250 or a .223 other than it's a bit smaller. I've not seen any reloading data for it, so I can't comment on the cost of reloading other than the price of ammo and price of once fired brass...which is higher than these tried and true rounds. As much as brass costs, I'd venture the powder saved isn't going to be enough to warrant buying the .204 as a money saver.
If you're an avid yoter looking for something new, then definitely try one out. I'm thinking of adding one myself, but I'm not going to give up my .22-250's.
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"When you tell a fellow to go to hell, you had better be sure you can get him there."--LBJ
I think a .204 Ruger is a great gun for yotes. Ive had a lot of experience with it. It shoots up to 4200+ fps. I like the 36 grain Berger MEF hollow points. I occasionally use the 50 grain Berger HPBT
FWIW, reloaders are handily surpassing 4,225 with the 32 gr v-max in the .204. If it is safe, well, that is between you and your rifle...
__________________
"A hunter should not select a caliber and bullet that will kill when everything goes right, rather,
should choose ones that will kill when everything goes wrong."
"Recoil lasts a second, but gravity lasts forever."
204 Ruger
