Should I get a .204 Ruger?

L

LipscitzWrath

New member
Hey guys, wanna thank ya all for helping me figure out my 6mm/hunting rifle dilemma. Overwhelming input from all of those here brought a fresh perspective. I'm honored to be able to draw on this forum's vast experience. Thanks!

Now that I have my new big game rifle sorted out, I wanted to once again draw some opinions from you guys. Right now, I currently own a .17 Rem M700, a .17HMR Savage, and a multitude of .22LR's to use on small game on prairie dogs. I could even throw my 6mm Rem M7 in there for varmints if I wanted to throw a little bit bigger slug. I do plan on adding a .22-250 in the near future as well, mainly for coyotes but also for PD's if its windy that day (it's NEVER windy in Wyoming, right).

My question is this - given the calibers I own/plan to own, would it make any sense to throw a .204 Ruger on there as well. My buddy has one and sings its praises loudly, but now I am thinking it would be redundant. It seems the .17 has the light end taken care of and the .22-250 has the heavier end.

I guess the one good thing is that all I lack to be able to reload for it on my XL650 is the powder funnel and a set of dies. Still, I can't help but think I'd be adding a caliber that doesn't bring anything to the table beyond what I already have.

Thanks in advance!
 
Yes if you want one. I like the .223 based on my needs. I don't need another wang bang zippy do dah cartridge at 4000 ft ps. I can do that with a .22-250. The .223 is easy to load for, very accurate, and a joy to shot.
 
I already own several .223 in the form of black rifles lol. They are fun and cheap like you said. Although I did learn that fmj's are very poor hunting choice for rabbits. Clean wounds sure, but one scampers off on occasion and that troubles me.

Another forum suggested that .17 and .22-250 are barrel burners and that's where the .204 comes into its own. I guess if the hardest decision u have to make is which gun to take hunting, life is good.

Thanks guys, I think the .204 is in my future. I hate the sps stocks but love the 700. Might wind up getting a .204 varmint sps and getting an H-S Precision stock for it. Man are they purdy!!!!
 
You guys are making me wonder. Where do I get my hands on brass and reloading components for a vartarg? How hard it is to find a rifle chambered in said caliber? Is the story the same for .20 practical and tactical? What is the difference between the three?
 
Buying guns is seldom a mistake, providing you can afford them. If,for some reason you don't like the rifle or caliber, you aren't married to them.They can easily be sold or traded. Good luck.
 
I've heard the .22-250 is a barrel burner, but my Savage has over 5,000 rounds through it and no signs of it slowing down. I load 55gr vmax for .223 and .22-250.
 
.204 Ruger is another tool in the box

I have a 22-250, 222 Remington and .204 Ruger. For me, they all have a place where they shine. The more I shoot, the more I appreciate the .204. It is a bit less on the recoil and muzzle blast, when shooting for several hours at sod poodles it seems to be less "tiring." The 22-250 has enough recoil and blast to wear me down after 50 rounds or so.

Here is the thing for me---I took the advice of a member here--"OldRoper"--and use all three rifles when shooting p. dogs. Shoot one a few rounds, lean it up against the truck in the shade, shoot the next one 8-10 rounds, switch out again. Keeps the barrels from getting smoking hot.

I say get another rifle. :D
 
I don't know that anyone really needs a given cartridge, but I will test that theory for another few years.

As you suggested, there is a lot of overlap between the 204 and the 17 Rem, as well as with the 22-250. The 17 absolutely screams out at 4100 fps, but is running out of steam at 500ish yds. The 204 launches at 4000 fps, and starts to run out of oomph at 600 yds. 22-250 starts out ok, but at 600 it still carries the day, and is used for F-class shooting. Each step up in size carries additional recoil penalty, and additional cost of components.

Now back to the question. If you already own a 17 or a 22-250, them skip the 204. If you do not, then choose one based on real needs. I have owned and shot 22-250 for 37 years. I also own a 223 rifle, and no, the overlap does not bother me much. I had a hankering for a 17 until I saw a 204 perform, so now I am building a 204. It's OK, I can handle it, but you can send donations to help me support my bad habit if you like.:D
 
Even though I own a 223 and a 22-250 I have been contemplating at 204 but I am holding back since I cant seem to find any brass for it at any of the vendors and the loaded rounds are pricey.
 
get a .204 -- one of the most eye opening rounds out there---many of my varmint shooting buddies fought wind drift and brush with their .17's --- almost all of them have shifted to the .204---first rifle I ever shot that hit's so quickly that I could see the hit before the slight recoil moved the scope a little ---impressive speed, unreal accuracy and tremendous shock to the critter ---one in a Browning A-bolt and another,[believe it or not], in a Ruger No1B ---- way out ahead of the 22-250 as in far less recoil and noise and much more stable than the .17's --- a must have caliber for the serious varminter --- just my opinion, but they are awesome shooters ---- John
 
I can't tell you which one is better between what calibers you have, I don't have a .17 or a 22-250. However I do own a .204 and for a small caliber rifle I don't know how you could go wrong with it. Ultra flat shooter, no recoil, just a pleasure to shoot. It is loud as all get out, but that comes with the 4000 fps territory.

I love mine, and of all the rifles I own it would be the last one if ever sell. I've fired many five round groups at 100 yards with it that I could cover with the base of the shell casing. Just insanely accurate.

This is a pic of it before a groundhog massacre last spring at the farm. Kimber 84M Varmint, at the time it had a Vortex HS-T 4-16 x 44 MRAD.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1420394924.791691.jpg
 
I'd skip the .22-250 and spend that money toward a nice .204 Cooper; unless you save fur, use the 6mm on coyotes. I have a couple .204s and, since I bought a .243, my .22 centerfires hardly ever get taken out of the safe.
As for the .20 VT: I'll wait for factory chambering, ready-made brass and affordable dies.
 
Should I get a .204 Ruger?
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Sure why not. Just because a 204 is so close to the calibers and cartridges you already shoot means little. Quite similar to the fellow who owns a 30-06 & 308. Some fellows might say it isn't practical. But ask the guy who owns both and he'll have a memory full of practical reason's why each is necessary.

I have a 22 Mag & a 223 Model 7. If I were to buy another small caliber no doubt it would be a 204 H&R Handi-rifle. Frankly: I think a 204 would be a "hoot to shoot" distant ground hogs with or perhaps the occasional yote seen mousing in my hay fields.

As for 204 brass. Sometime sooner or later you'll come across a bag of it. After all its a Ruger product. Not a Remington cartridge thank Goodness..
 
You mention 6mm in your hunting rifle quest; sorry I did not follow that thread. If you don't have something .30 cal.+, I think I would look there for my next gun. I think you have overlap enough at the low end of the spectrum. You can always find a reason for the "perfect cartridge for(fill in the blank) ". On that note, sounds like you have made up your mind.

FWIW, I have neen staring at the same 3 boxes of 204 Ruger at my local Walmart for over a year, so I don't think there is a lot of competition for the ammo.
 
.204 Ruger is on my list to own. If you are getting a .22-250 then you do not need a .204 Ruger, but I do not need 90% of the guns I own.:D
 
Thanks for the interest Arizona.

Here's my 6mm dilemma thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556486

I have also looked at some .30 cals - namely the .30-06. Since it and the .270 and .280 are pretty much in a ballistic heat, most say take your pick. I like the idea of the .280 so that's what I am probably going to go with.

Yes, I know that bullet selection may be marginally better in a .30, but for what I will be hunting,I doubt it will matter. You can get quality 7 bullets all the way up to 175 grain (maybe even higher) and I think that bullet is going to be able to take down anything I might point the barrel at.

As far as the .204 ruger, I think I am going to get one. I don't think components will be hard to get for it at all. Sure, buying brand new brass may be difficult right now but I haven't found it very hard to find ammo right now. And if I have to be the one to make it into once-fired brass, well, I guess that's my cross to bear. :D
 
Reynolds, the same thought began to creep into my mind. If I had a .204, .17, and many .223's, I think I would probably grab those before a .22-250 for anything but coyote. And if I am hunting coyote, well the 6mm should be great for that.

I will be purchasing a .204 ruger here soon. As I begin to shoot with all these guns, I think it will become pretty clear when I feel I "need" a .22-250. Knowing me, it will happen sooner than it really needs to.
 
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