ORIGINAL: Coyotestalker
ORIGINAL: trailer
The only draw back for me between the two would be cleaning the barrel on the 204. I had a 17HRM and despised it when it came time to clean that barrel.[:-]
I own both a Ruger .17 HMR and a ruger 204, and never had problems with cleaning. That is one of the fun things about owning a firearm, is the maintenance. Choosing a firearm on its dirty factor is just silly to me. There are the real factors out there in choosing a gun, and cleaning should not inhibit your choice.
What I have stated was my opinion on the 17 HMR. I never mentioned that I had problems but more that I didn’t care in cleaning this particular caliber. It would be silly for me to hang onto a rifle if I didn’t enjoy having it and cleaning is part of the fun. If you like the 17HMR and the 204, all the power to you, as for me I’ll go for something a little bigger.