.204 Ruger?
 

So what can you tell me about this cartridge?

How far will it take a coyote?

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RE: .204 Ruger?
 

If you look at the current factory offerings for the .204 they aren't that impressive.

The majority of the.22-250 loads have more retained energy downrange, and flatter trajectory.

The .204 is trying to reinvent the wheel somewhat and isn't really an improvement over the 220 Swift or the 22-250. There may be a really, realy hot load out there somewhere that puts it up with the mainstay varmint cartridges but from what I've seen either of those two is a better choice overall than the .204.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

I agree with both posts above. Its a good cartridge...but I don't know why anyone would choose it when you've got the .223 that you can shoot all day and not go broke, or the 22-250 that is ballistically superior. (and offers alot more flexibility to the handloader because of available components)

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

I got one. Very flat. But I have very little confidense of taking down a yote. All the groundhogs I shot basically the 32gr bullet has blown up and not penetrated. It shoots .7MOA or better with 32gr and shoots 40gr 2MOA or worse. I wouldn't mindgetting a good 40gr or largerload but doesn't appear it shoots 40gr or larger well for anyone.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

I will keep my swift! I just dont see the point of it. To me it was like the 17 hmr whats the point of it ? I even have one and I cant get the impressive things that I hear everyone talking about to happen to me with it.One of my brother-in-laws has the .204 and its the same for it. I have my .22 mag and .220 swift that fills all those needs.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

not that impressive HUH. I've taken a number of coyotes and as for comparing it to to a swift my barrel will last many more rounds. also have a 22-250 love them both.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Whats the point small game at 80 yards. maybe it is the shooter and not the caliber

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

They shoot flat and fast, but a 32gr bullet wont do too much damage to a yote and medium range shots. The biggest bullet you can get is a 40gr and thats pretty weak imo. As far as barrel life, they are suppose to last a VERY long time, its some type of new powder that Hornady and Ruger made and its suppose to be awesome, but its not avaliable to the handloader yet.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

You need to brush up on your facts. A well placed shot at 300 yards with a well designed bullet of 32 grains is deadly. As for the new type of powder what. The barrel life is extend because you need to use abut half the powder to get the same velocities not a new kind of awesomepowder.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

In capable hands the 204 ruger will & has been devastating on coyote, out to 300 plus yards. Like any cal. bullet placement is critical. Stay away from the front sholder bone & one may expect great results.

The 32 & 40 grain Hornady V-max bullets have been very effective, although the 35GR Berger has been most popular with coyote callers. Personally I am anxious to see how the new 45 gr. Hornady SP perform on the larger varmints.

The minimal recoil of this highly efficientchambering is the biggest selling point of this little round IMHO. The tiny .2” - .7” groupsat 100 yards don’t hurt either. I have a 223, 22-250 & 6mm also. And My CZ527 Varmint in 204 ruger is the rifle I would choose first when after coyote, especially if interested in keeping the pelts.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

rcw280 why are you getting so upset ? We all have our opinions and some of us just happen to not like the .17 hmr or the .204. So if we are talking facts maybe you need to get them right. I have a .17hmr and I am not impressed with it , it does work great on crows but that is about it for me.I have shot a yote with it and it killed it but not like my .22 mag. Now as far as barrel life on your 22-250 why would it out last my swift ? I always here that being said , But the next sentence is its as fast as a swift. What makes a 22-250 out last a swift if itis at or near the swift velocity? That is a old tale from the 30's when barrels were of milder steel. As far as my shooting abilty come on why go there ? Here is my swift target at 100 yards

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

40 grain vmax 43 grain h414 4150 fps

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Dan, That is some nice shooting there.

Hope one does not mind me dropping an opinion & my reasoning as to why a 22-250 may reach same velocities as a 220 swift while enjoying a longer barrel life.

The 22-250 is smaller a cases with less volume, which may allow this cartridge toattain a respective velocity with less powder than the larger swift cartridge. More powder generates more throat burning heat in the 220 swift than the lesser charge used in the 22-250 chamber. This is only a theory in my mind.

Yet I have little doubt that the theory will hold water.

This is the same reasoning, which I buy into - that the 204 Ruger may reach & perhaps exceed 220 swift velocities and enjoy a longer barrel life.

Hunter App

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

I suppose it's possible butI don't see how. A .220 swift already pushes a 40 gr. bullet 600 fps faster than then .204 with 39 gr.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

rcw280- Thats just what I heard from mybuddy that is ranked in the top ten in the USA for high power competition and it sponsored by Hornady. But what does he know?? As far as taking a yote at 300 yards with it, yes, it is possible but I wouldn't try it with such a small bullet. I would want at least a 50gr. But as others said if someone has a .223 rem or Swift or something it is kinda pointless. Half the powder?? As what?? It has the same case capacity as the .223 rem, just a little faster. I'm not against the caliber, I like it, just kinda pointless.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Dan - what group?? I was in 3rd, 7th and SWC as well as USASOC and other areas on Bragg.

Many good comments.. Have been shooting the 204 since it came out. As to explosive bullets, true. However, I have seen it put the hurt on Groundhogs and a fox or two. I just built one off of a G2 frame with a 4x12 on it. Just for yoting.. update after the first session.

The 40 gr is a bit better and that is what I use. As for the 223, ain't much difference. Check the ballistics on them. Yes just due to bullet weight you get a minor gain in some areas.. but pound for pound.. close.. Cost seems to be falling for the 204. I will be setting up a 223 barrel as well.. we shall see.. 22-250 never "got wood" on that round.. no comment.. later.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Funny thing is, on some gun website where they were reviewing the .204, they said "It's capabilities are limited to varmits and pests."

What do they mean by PEST? That the .204 is a great cockaroach gun?[&:]

Or, as one guy put it on HNI," If I ever want to hit a mouse at a 1000 yards I'll get a .204 Ruger."

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Young, that was actually a funny post.:):):):):):D

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

come on get with it a 220 swift will wear out faster than a 204 yes sorry. As for the 17 I am talkingsmall gamenot yotes.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Just because someone is ranked and shoots in a competion sponsered by Hornady does not make him an expert on how a bullet will perform on an animal there is a big difference. read the posts half the powder of the swift. and whats the point drops half what the 223 does at 400. just a little faster. thats like saying a corvette is just a little faster than the chevette.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Some reviewer on some gun website. There is a review that carries alot of weight. Remember these people are paid to write not shoot.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

I never said he knew anything about how it will perform on animals!! Read carefully before you makecrap up!! I said he knew about the new powder that they are using, so they won't burn up barrels really fast. But whatever I'm done with this discussion.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Okay but YOU said that a 32 grain bullet is not much for coyotes. Sorry butit is energy and good bullet construction that kills, and the 32 grain bullet has more energy at muzzle and 100 yards than the 50 grain223 also by the time you hit 300 yards the the 204 is only about 20 ft lbs less, and at 400 yds only25 ft lbs less energyand the 32 gr has only dropped 13 inches while the 223 has dropped 21. So do your homework before making up crap. It is people like you that don't have a clue and just keep repeating crap that they here from others that does a disservice to all.
And again there is no magic powder that will not burn up barrels as fast, it is the powder charge that will improve barrel life.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

What wears out barrels is friction. The higher surface area that contacts the barrel and the faster the bullet goes is what wears the barrel out.

The alledged problem with the .220 is throat erosion I thought, which I don't think is the same thing as "barrel" erosion but I don't know.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Well, generally its not barrels that wear out but the throat area. And thats due to powder. Sure the bullet size has an affect, but the more powder you dump, the faster it wears out. You can take a 7mmRemMag, and a STW, and you can load up so both shoot a 140gr bullet 3000fps, and it will take more powder in the STW to do it, and I guarantee you the STW wears out first.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

BC I agree with you and totally understand that about the throat.Here is what I am trying to say in order to get a 22-250 to the same vel. as a swift you have to load it balls to the wall at or near max chamber pressure. This is more true on lighter bullet weights. I have had a 22-250 and I think it is a great round, I just like the swift better , I like the case capacity and its accuracy from my ruger. I just dont think when you look at all the facts it is a fair comparison to just say it is a barrel burner ( throat erosion) More so then the 22-250, .223wssm, ect when all is on the same playing field. I dont care what federal says or hornaday, winchester, or remington I have loaded for both and it is easier to get 4000fps from a swift then it is a 22-250. Not that it is a bench mark but it is a place to start from .

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

Dan, if I had it to do over, I would have got the 22-250. My 204 is flatter than the 22-250's I have shot against, and is an awesome chuck gun. But ever groundhog I have shot, the bullet explodes and does not penetrate even on neck shots. I just have very low confidense on yotes. And I cannot get the 40gr bullets to shoot well. Its night and day difference. 32gr, I get .7MOAout to 300 yards. 40gr, I am lucky to get 2MOA at 100 yards.

RE: .204 Ruger?
 

That is the same for my brother in laws .204. It just isnt IMO want it is cracked up to be. I think it is a great round for chucks or equal but anything above that, I am the same just dont feel confident in it. Hey we all have our opinions and experinces ,that is why they make more then one round!!! I am the same guy that deer hunts with a .300 wm. I just feel that I can take a deer at 300 yards or less with confidence.I have shot them with everything from .223 to a 45/70 and I justlike my .300wm.So with my .22 mag , .220 swift.243, 6.5x284, .270wsm, .300wm, and my 45/70 I feel I have all my bases covered. I still have an itch for a 7mm STW.