Personally I think that anyone that says, "17 and 22s" in the same sentence as "204" has probably NOT shot the 204. It is NOTHING like anykind of rimfire, it is a DEADLY longrange, high powered varmint/target round.
That being said, as much as I have enjoyed the few I have shot (and I shot em at 1000yds because factory reps told me it couldnt do it!) I personally dont see the value of the 204 over a 22/250. There is MUCH more bullet and ammo selection in the 250 and its cheaper to shoot.
First off, their are several .17 caliber centerfires. Their is the .17 Remington, and several wildcats available. And when he referred to the 22's, he meant 223 rem, 22-250, 220 swift, 222, 22 hornet, etc. As far as it being a "DEADLY longrange, high powered varmint/target round", ballistics are good to 300 yards. After that, it drops like a stone. Zeroed @200 yards, it is -25" at 400 yards.
I am curious. If you shot it at 1000 yards, how much elevation did you have to put on the scope? Long range ballistics for the 204 are not out yet. Just wondering what it was. I used to shoot 308's @ 1000 yards. Lots of fun.