Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I'm going to buy my first Handi-rifle, and was deciding between a .223, .243, and 22-250 for coyotes and long range plinking. Now, NEF has the Handirifle in the new Ruger .204. I've seen the Ruger press release, but no reviews yet. Anyone know anything about it?

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I just read somewhere that these guns will not go on sale until May...so I guess nobody has bought one yet...:D

Any forethoughts about this upcoming caliber?

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I ask a buddy of mine that owns a gunshop about when he expects to get some of the 204's. He's been checking and told me that the earliest he hopes to have them is mid to late May. As for the round, if what I've read is true, it'll be a varminter's dream. I guess only time will tell.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I'm a little skeptical. I can't help but wonder if the .204 Ruger is just another solution without a problem. I think that maybe they're trying to ride the wave created by the .17HMR with another micro-bore varmint gun. But something tells me that the centerfire .204 just isn't going to compete with the well established high velocity varminters like the 22-250 and the .220 Swift. Time will tell, I guess.

Mike

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

It definitetly smacks of a marketing ploy, doesn't it?

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

There isn't much of a hole in the centerfire varmint cartridge line up. The 204 I believe will use the same case as the 17Rem, and the .223. but have a 20 cal. bullet. Now there isn't a lot of difference in the 17rem and the .223 that we need another caliber to fill that gap. I think its a case of if we make it they will buy it.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I never thought ruger had enough pull in the firearms business in the last decade to push new cartidges and make them last as big green and winchester does. Take the 480 for example. It holding its own but I can't see it ever being a big seller.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I already have a 22-250, so it's unlikely that I need this gun. Besides, my favorite coyote medicine is a twelve gauge. Can't get much money for the pelts anymore anyway.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I just read an article on this caliber and it's not for handloaders. Aparently the powder they use to get their spectacular velocity is not avalible to the public, and without it you won't be able to match factory ammo. There isn't a real need for a varmint cartridge that you can't load up to its full potential.IMHO The field is pretty full with the 17 REM and the .223. If you want more power the 22-250 or 220 Swift.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

In the latest Rifle Shooter magazine, Ruger's ad reads that this new .204 is based on the same dimensions as the .223 Rem case. Afew pages further on, a product review of this new cartridge says that it is based on the .222 Magnum case. ?????????

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

The .223 is based on the mostly defunct .222 Mag brass.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I read a magazine ad for it, that's it. I agree, sounds like a something that we don't reallyl need, but yet will have to have. IMHO we have many rounds like that. Take the .17HMR, and .500S&W for instance.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

If you're a fox/coyote drive hunter you know that Heaven has always been somewhere between the .17rem & .220swift.

Besides being fast, flat, no recoil, accurate and explosive killer, the .17 has offers 2 advantages:

a) NOISE: when hunting on someone else's land (who also has neighbors) the .17 is much quieter than the .22 centerfires.

b) SAFETY: the .17 bullet won't ricochet like the heavier .22 centerfires cause there's usually nothing left of it on impact.

.204 is just a little beefier .17rem. I doubt the bullets will ricochet and it'll carry itself better when working with a breeze. Definately has a niche.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

I've never witnessed a ricochet with my 22-250 when shooting polymer tipped varmint bullets. They seem to disintegrate pretty fast when striking the dirt at 3000+ fps. That's not to say that it couldn't happen, all the more reason to be assured of your target and the backdrop. But I think that as long as it hits something solid there won't be much left. I'd be the most nervous about coyote hunters that choose to use FMJ or controlled expansion type bullets on coyotes to help lessen the pelt damage. Those will ricochet. Not to condemn those that do, but just to illustrate how important safety is and how ammo selection effects that.

Mike

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

Just read an article in Shooting Magazine. Looks like the .204 will be a hot commodity on the varmiters market. At 4225fps, it is defineitely getting out there. The round is supposed to only penetrate a small way then come apart,thus leaving no exit hole......a fur harvestors dream. For a small round the ballistics were incredible. Not what I expected. Time will tell.

RE: Anyone have a .204 yet?
 

For those interested,I received my daily Ruger wishlist from Gunsamerica today.Apparently the 204 Rugers have been released.One guy has a Ruger #1 in the 204 Ruger.He appears to be proud of it.995.00.Unless you have to be the first one on the block to own one,wait and you'll find them cheaper then 1 grand.

Ruger Redhawk