Should I get a .204 Ruger?

Dang, all this enthusiasm for the "low end of the spectrum".

Don't want to hijack the thread, but if I have a .22 magnum, a .223, and a .243, am I really missing out on anything?

I mean, other than excuse to buy a new gun?:D
 
Lol, that's where I'm at. All these guns are so close that about the only reason I can come up with to buy another one is because I want to. And that seems to be as valid of a reason as anything.

Until today, I was 100% settled on buying a .204 Ruger. After reading some replies on another forum, I've been knocked down to 95% lol. The comment in particular that got me waffling was something I hadn't thought of. Your standard .223 loaded with a 40gr V-MAX will shoot only 100-150 fps less than a .204 with a similar projectile. See, my thought train had the .223 locked into a 55gr projectile because all the bulk ammo I load up for my AR's is 55gr. Stupid as it sounds, the thought of loading a smaller projectile in a .223 NEVER crossed my mind. The same guy went on to say that when he does that, he can't notice enough difference between a similarly loaded .223 and .204 to justify the expense.

That said, a .204 40gr projectile does possess a better BC than the same grain .223 pill, so it does have some advantage in wind and at longer ranges. However, in Wyoming (believe it or not), engaging PD's at 300+ yds is rare, at least in the part of the state where I live. Most PD towns are dense so that one end of the town to the other isn't even 300 yards. ****, if you managed to navigate to the middle of the town, you might not take a shot past 200 all day.

I guess all this research has led me to a very uplifting conclusion - you really can't go wrong with any of these great little calibers. Sure, each one has its own little redeeming virtues (practicality, extreme velocity, wind drift, etc) but the differences in each category seem small enough that you can really almost lump them all in.

I only currently own autoloading .223's and I want to buy a new bolt gun. Since I have to buy the gun, any of the factory offerings are on the table. I might buy the .204 for the hell of it. The .20 Tac/Prac/Vartarg are right in there too, but regardless of which I chose, would require a rechambering of a rifle at the minimum. That's probably $150-200. If I needed a new barrel, add $300 to that. Those calibers will be much more attractive if I shoot the barrel out of a gun and have to buy a new barrel anyways.

I've all but ruled out the .22-250 at this point due to the increased powder/recoil/muzzle blast. However, I'd be lying if I said that there isn't this little voice in the back of my head that is still telling me I need one...
 
If you really want a screamer, add the .223 WSSM to your list of options.
I do not own a .204 Ruger, but most of the people I know who do own them are not extremely impressed with them at long range.
 
You seam to already have the small cal.s covered. Have you considered a 6 or 6.5 That would fit Wyoming varmint, deer or prairie goat. The 243, 6mmBR, 6.5 Dasher. 6.5... Check them out I think you will like them.
 
My Dad's got a CZ in 204 and I love it. Accurate as any round I've ever shot, no recoil...and just plain fun. But I won't buy one. I've already got an extremely accurate .223 and it's not really going to do anything the .223 isn't already doing, except give me yet another caliber to reload for and buy more reloading components for it as well. I'm not saying don't, because it's a great round and a whole lot of fun. I've got a couple of 308's and 30-06's only because I wanted them, the 30-06 doesn't do much more than the 308 and vice-versa. But I can use the same bullets for each when I reload.
If you want it, buy it. You don't need to justify it, just enjoy it and you will if you buy one. I really thought about adding that rifle and caliber to my collection after shooting it. I can rationalize not buying it, but if I had I wouldn't have regreted it.
My Dad swore he'd never get another rifle caliber, then over the holidays he shot my 6.5x55 and loves the round. He's getting recoil sensitive and was impressed with its accuracy, very low recoil and hunting potential.
 


I don't have a pic of my buddies .204 target but his was close to mine in group size. He was shooting a CZ .

Target on left is 55gr vmax. Target on right is 55gr nosler. Gun is Savage 10 .223 I never tried to go down to 40gr bullets cause the 55gr shot so well, but I might try it just for research purposes.
 
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LipscitzWrath said:
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
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If you end up with a .204, our LGS has brand new cases of Hornady .204 brass. I'd be happy to get it and ship it out to you.
 
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