Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Thoughts on 204 ruger for predators and varmints

What are everyone’s thoughts on the 204 ruger for varmints? Thanks

I thought they was good......

Varmints, pretty much what it was designed for. Predators, works great with the right bullets.

I've owned rifles chambered in .204 Ruger from Remington, Ruger, and Savage. All were accurate and easy to load for, except that the small bullets and my thick fingers don't get along so well. I still have an RAR-P that is sub-MOA accurate with 32 and 40 grain bullets. I haven't had any reason to load the 24 grain NTX, so I don't know how well they work.

I shoot one for coyotes. 35 grain Berger bullet is your friend. coyotes don't like them! Very Accurate

Houston1: If I were starting out Varmint and predator Hunting today instead of 64 years ago (I started "Varminting" when I was 10!) instead of buying dozens and dozens of Rifles/cartridges in various configurations over those 6+ decades I would stick with ONE cartridge and that would be the 204 Ruger!
PERIOD!
The 204 Ruger in my experience and estimation is THE finest "all-around" Varmint and predator cartridge there is.
Again, PERIOD!
I Hunt Varmints and predators year round at all hours of the day and night and I have yet to find something "I" need done that the 204 Ruger cartridge doesn't accomplish with aplomb.
AND... the 204 Ruger is simply "inherently" accurate - combine that with a very FLAT trajectory and no recoil and there you have it.
Plus I am finding the 204 Ruger is pleasingly easy on barrels!
I currently own and shoot 10 (ten) heavy barrel Rifles in caliber 204 Ruger and every one of them has easily attained excellent accuracy.
I have been using the 204 Ruger since it first came on scene and I am convinced it is tops in the "all-around" Varmint and predator category.
The past 17+ years Hunting predators and Varmints with the 204 Ruger has convinced me and many people I have recommended it to that it is indeed an exceptionally good choice for those endeavors!
Best of luck to you if you decide to try a Rifle in 204 Ruger.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: I feel I should expound just a touch on the low recoil of the 204 Ruger - it enhances my Colony Varminting to see where the bullet impacts on longer shots and that is easily accomplished with the 204 Ruger - much easier and more often than even when I use my 223 Remingtons and other "light recoiling" Rifles calibers.

We have excellent results with em on predators.

A 39 grain Sierra Blitzking is instant lights out on coyotes, cats, foxes or anything else we deem needs killed.

Low noise and pretty much non existent recoil makes em fun to shoot.

I think with 39-40 gr. bullets the .204 is the ultimate prairie dog gun, especially in the wind.

Killed several coyotes with the Hornady Factory 40 gr.

My youngest nephew shot several turkey and a couple of hogs with my rifle and the same load.
It worked fine on all of them.

The hogs were small. 120 to 140 lb range.

For PDs, I use 32 grain bullets, for coyotes, 35 Berger’s. It works exceptionally well for both.

So, For myself, not knowing a lot about this Caliber, I sure have gotten educated pretty Fast, as I did look up the Cartridge Ballistics, and History, in Frank Barnes Book!
Having all the Varmint guns that I've Always needed, it surely does intrigue me!

Thanks for the Education Guys!

I was one of those who "poo-pooed" the idea of the 204 when it came out. I felt it was an answer to a non question, would get blown around like a .17 caliber out here, etc. Well, I tried one ( around 2005) in a CZ 527 Varminter and I "had to eat a big plate of Crow!:. ha It was low nise, low recoiling, and shot as flat as a 22-250 to "me". PDs and Marmots were my only targets. On Predators, I always liked the bigger rounds, I don't save pelts, so "massive destruction" is kinda my thing for them, ha.

I have 3 of them and have shot thousands of rds. with the 204 and will continue to do so. Ihave a barrel going south on my XR with about 3500 rds down the tube. It's getting a new tube this winter.

Good to know. I have one with about 1600 rounds through it, I figured it would puke at about that 3-3.5K mark.

My foray into the 204 was a carbine 204 Contender barrel. Very accurate and it was pretty destructive. I used the 32 grain VMax pushed hard on a bunch of raccoons. Messy. Coyotes not all the time but at medium range they dropped quick!

Tom,

I shot one .204 barrel out in around 2000 rounds--but that was when the .204 first came out. I was using it for almost ALL my PD shooting back then, so shot the barrel really hot a LOT.

Have mixed shooting the .204 more with other rounds since then (especially the .17 Hornady Hornet) and barrels have lasted considerably longer.

It took me til 2019 to warm up to a 204. I was always a huge 222 fan.
I traded into a Browning A bolt stalker in a 204. It's a shooter no.doubt
If I do my job I can consistently make .240 groups at 100yds with 39 gr Sierra Blitzkings
It is easy on pelts as well,so the 222 don't see a lot of varmint action anymore.
In hindsight I wish I had hoped on the 204 bandwagon when it first hit the market

Torqued: Your observations reminds me of my "hesitancy" back when the wonderful 17 Remington came along (1971) and how long I lingered "thinking about trying one".
Finally nearly two decades later I "decided" to try one - and I bemoaned myself for waiting so long to get and use one.
Lesson learned - that "new" 17 Remington I found out really does a lot of things really well.
So when the 204 Ruger came out in 2,004 I bought one (Ruger 77 V/T) right away - and to say I was impressed (with the accuracy, ballistics and lethality afield) would be an understatement.
I was so impressed with the accuracy I obtained (with factory ammo!) that when my "homies" at Big Green came out later that year with their heavy barrel Remington 700 VLS in 204 Ruger I bought one of those also.
The accuracy was even better with this addition - again, with factory ammo, as that was all that was available back in 2,004.
I am thankful that I DID jump on the "204 Ruger bandwagon" right away - its been tons of fun and satisfaction ever since.
Long live the 204 Ruger!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thanks Juan...Ive found that with anything, shooting hot and dirty is not your friend, and at least my .204 heats up FAST...but its hard to say no to PDs standing up all over town in front of you!

As you said in one of your books, they make new barrels every day!

I have shot everything from ground squirrels to coyotes with mine. I shot two badgers with it this morning, 175 and 125 yds. No complaints.

I mix mine {2} up with 17 Hornets

I have thought of one for ages but the prospect of more dies more bullets and cases turns me off since I have lots of 22 cal stuff . I might weaken soon .Egg me on .

Don't forget, a skinny cleaning rod and new jags/brushes.

Verns: The same thoughts entered my mind back when I bought my first 204 Ruger back in 2,004 but I quickly and easily dealt with those issues.
And I am so happy I did so.
You've been "egged".
Get with it and discover the joy of the "force"!
Long live the wonderful 204 Ruger.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I use a 204 in varmint tournaments and they work great.

I missed out on the LH Savage 204 that was about $550 last year . He who hesitates is -------not smart !

I didn't go down the .204 path. Instead sold the .204 barrel on my CZ and re-barreled to .222 and also bought another CZ and re-barreled to .17-222. I figured the .222 might get hot slower than a .204 for high volume shooting, barrel might last longer, a 50-55 grain .224 might be slightly better on pigs and thought that .222 may be more accurate. Just wish I had got a 12 twist rather than 14 twist so I could use the 53 VMAX with a bc of .290. With the .17-222 I get 3870 fps and it shoots into .2" with the 25 grain VMAX with 19.9 grains Benchmark. I figured that the .17-222 may be lighter recoiling for precision head shots. Just wish they would bring out a .17 30 grain VMAX with a b.c. over .280. I can't fault the choice of a .204 Ruger or .20 Tactical however. Even a .20-222 would be good.

are any of those barrel burners?

Given use under the same conditions the 204 will use up a barrel faster than a 223. The 204 uses near identical powder charges as the 223 but the gas is being forced down a smaller hole. Will the difference be significant - that depends on your expectations of barrel life. I found that afer 2500- 3000 rounds of 204 I saw about the same erosion with it as I do with 4000-4500 rounds with my 223's.

VG -
Can you explain how the 204 and the 223, both using 40 gr bullets can have any difference in recoil? They both use virtually identical powder charges and if using the same bullet weight it is just not possible. The only way to have less recoil then is to drop bullet weigh down to a 32 gr, even then the recoil only lessens one-half of a ft lb. This is easily confirmed by using JBM ballistic charts.

I have owned 204's and 223's in identical rifles, including one in a switch barrel, and if there is any difference in recoil it is so slight as to not be noticable.

drover

Interesting.I have a .204 but only have about 1600 rounds through the barrel and I was wondering how long it will hold up. I expected to see it starting to cough at about 2500 to 3000 rounds and your info kinda confirms that.I suppose it will puke some time after that.

Ya, I bought the 204 years ago because it was new and different and FAST. And I really like the little cartridge. It's been awfully fun - but when the barrel goes... I just might replace it with a 223 barrel for the practicality. I dunno.

I don't do enough varmint shooting to wear it out anytime soon. Meanwhile it does a fine job on rockchucks & such. Coyotes? Ya. I'd like to smack a bobcat with it too, but I haven't made that happen yet.

Guy

Guy, Im planning on the same thing. I wont rebarrel to another 204 simply because thats my main gun for prairie dogs...and my PD places have pretty well dried up over the years...

My 204s are beginning to see a lot more action in the rat fields than the 223s. Last year the accuracy in one 204 was falling off drastically so I was already making plans to replace the barrel when I got home.
Luckily I scoped the bore and found a carbon build up so thick, It took several days to get it all out. Now it's back to shooting those half inch groups that we all love to see.

I shoot it’s near twin… a 20 practical. Nearly identical trajectory as a22-250 but you can see your hits or misses. What’s not to love. My first load I tried was with 39BK…. Shot so well I’ve never tried anything else. I believe a 22-250 makes a bigger mess but dead is dead.

one of the best small varmint cartridges ever invented but for coyotes it can be a little iffy sometimes to kill them. coyotes in Minnesota are bigger and can be tough to kill.

It knocks the crap out of them!

awesome !!

I just got a barrel from Pac-Nor to replace a shot out 204, going to be a 204 again.
Got a little over 3500 rds before it went south.

An example of one isn't much of an example, but I have shot a Bobcat with my 204, an identical 204 to TWR's it looks like. This Bobcat was at a shade over 225yds. and I was using a 37gr. CRT bullet. Had a light cross wind so held just a bit off center hoping to allow for the cross wind. Bullet hit exactly where I was aiming. So much for bullet drift in an approximate 10 mph cross wind.
The 204 ranks right up there with my favorite round, the 17 Rem, enough so that I am getting ready to rebarrel a 223 to a 204.

For me it’s the perfect predator gun. Kills coyotes as well as a 22-250 with 40’s and with 35’s is almost as fur friendly on cats as a 17 Remington.

I've tried the 204 twice. Killed some stuff with them and it worked well. Never could like it much although I understand why some like it. Recoil is a non issue if you drop grain weight you gain velocity kinda equals out. Shot 1 barrel out at about 2000 rds. Became a 223
Did not like reloading small bullets with big hands. Needing special cleaning rods , jags, brushes, powder funnel. Always amazed me how many people (not me) need fast twist heavy bullet for everything but are happy with 32--40 grain in the 204.

Thanks for the read - good stuff here.

A Montana in 204Ruger topped with a light scope might be a pretty good upper midwest calling rifle. Ranges are usually 200 or less and given I've never seen a PD in the UP - barrel life probably as long as necessary.

Bet I know one that aint been done yet, but love to try it--8T 204R 26"-barrelled AR, 55 Berger and old VLD magazine (2.46" OAL)...for sniping coyotes, that is DAAMMNN.

Broke in my WOA 24” upper in .204 last night. I think I’m going to like it!

Works very well for me, mainly on groundhogs but also on coyotes. My current .204 is in a Kimber 84 but I’ve had an AR version as well. Probably my favorite cartridge for varmints/predators, next choice would be the .222 Remington.

Not a fan of ballistic tip ballets on coyotes too many marginal shots. Coyotes never give me good angles
I stick with soft point or hollow points but my preference is 55 gr sp. there is a 20 cal sp but have not bothered trying it yet but would if I was going to use 204 just find a 223 works in almost any calling situation I do. Usually less tha 100 yds

Not a fan of the plastic tipped bullets either, but I know they have a place in the shooting world. Using a 204 on Predators led me to the 35gr. Berger, 37gr. Blackhole bullets, and the 40gr. Berger. Those hp bullets work great on Predators.

I've had good luck with 32g V-Maxes on prairie dogs. (Ricochet concerns me a little where I shoot)
I use Nosler 40g BT's on coyotes, though. Did away with surface splashes, and nearly always exits +/- dime size.
(No ricochet concerns where I hunt coyotes)

So I take it you wouldn’t be interested in my 17 Fireball if I wanted to sell it? :-) I don’t have thick fingers but the 17 is tough and my least favorite to reload. I have a 204 in TC Encore that shot everything well but liked Sierras the best.

Rereading this thread reminded me of a few things:

If I had to settle on one all-around prairie-dog round, that also would work on coyotes at typical ranges, it would be the .204. But I don't shoot that many coyotes anymore, and still shoot a lot of PDs. This is because the .204 shoots so flat at "hittable" PD ranges--and I am among those who finds I can see the hit more often through the scope than with a .223. This may defy "recoil" physics, but there it is.

But after using the .204 as my main PD rifles for around a decade, now primarily use it for ranges of 250-500 yards. Out to 125-150 or so, start on PD towns with the .17 HMR, because the low report doesn't spook them nearly as much as a .204 (or .222, .223 or whatever--have used both a LOT).

Once all the 17 HMR-range dogs are dead or down in their holes, I switch to a .17 Hornet, which in my experience works great to around 250-300, depending on the wind--and also is enough quieter than a .204/.222/.223 that it doesn't spook them nearly as much.

For 300-500 yard shots I break out the .204, with 40-grain Hornady V-Maxes, which has the highest BC of any 40-grain plastic-tip in that weight-range. (And yes, I prefer plastic-tips, both due to higher BC and better expansion at longer ranges. Have tested this a LOT since the late 1980s, when Nosler Ballistic Tips first appeared.)

Don't use the .223 as much unless I come into some really "affordable" ammo with typical "varmint-weight" bullets in the 50 grain range. But do sometimes use the .223 as my 500+ yard PD round, these days with heavier, high-BC plastic-tips in my 1-8 twist Ruger American, which also has a 2.5" magazine length, due to the extension that Whittaker Guns sold for a while--and from what I understand, might again. But have also used several other cartridges for 500+ ranges, these days often my 13-pound Sisk Rifles 6XC with plastic-tips in the 90+ weight range.

But the landowners in the places I normally hunt want as many PDs shot as possible; otherwise they consider poisoning them. So I primarily concentrate on the higher-percentage shots under 500 yards.

Really glad to hear everyone’s thoughts on the .204- I’ve been thinking about one for a while and a sporter weight Savage showed up in my LGS for a great price- I think I might have to pick it up and play with it for a bit.

There might be a thread on suggested loads coming soon!

Texken: Pardon my slow reply to your question on barrel life in my 204's!
I just now reread this thread and saw your inquiry to me.
My answer is "I don't know" - I spread my 204 shooting out among so many different 204 Rifles of mine I have NOT noticed any loss of accuracy at all to date.
I did see where our fellow CampFirer "Boatammo" shot out one of his 204's in 3,500 rounds and another poster here shot out a 204 barrel in 2,000 rounds!
I will review those posts and make sure my answer is based on what they actually wrote.
If "I" only got 2,000 rounds of accuracy out of any of my 204's before barrel replacement was needed I would be GREATLY surprised and GREATLY disappointed.
My first 204 Rifle has maybe 700 rounds through it and again shoots as well today as originally.
Again pardon my slow reply to your pertinent question.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I’ve two 204s. One is a Cooper MTV and the other is one I built out of a 17 Fireball Rem 700 that was chambered so poorly it would never shoot. It wears a 10 twist Shilen sporter barrel now. Both shoot extremely well; in the 0.2s! The Cooper has some 700 rounds down the pipe as it often gets the nod when it’s time for ground squirrels. It’s my favorite for that purpose. I haven’t used the Remington much, only on a couple jackrabbit hunts. It’s killed exactly one coyote - DRT. I really like the round but was a bit of a late adopter since I have several 223s. 22-250s 220 Swift, etc. I like it because it shoots like my 223s with the performance of the larger 22 cal guns.

I can see my impacts with a LVSF Rem in the 17 Rem would I be able to see them in a sporter weight 204 Ruger?

Dimecovers5: I currently own 10 (ten) Rifles in caliber 204 Ruger and all of them (except one!) are the heavy barrel wide forearm heavier stocked styles. Again with the exception of one and that Rifle has a 26" "sporter weight" barrel 26" long.
That Rifle is a Ruger #1-B with such exceptionally beautiful wood I have decided NOT to shoot it - so I can NOT answer your question definitively. I wish someone else would so I am bringing it back to the top of this thread for you.
BUT.... I can make an educated guess for you and that guess would be from a solid rest with maybe some hand pressure downward on the scope, at the shot, you would be able to see the bullet impact.
Again that is a guess but not a wild assed guess.
I say buy the heavy barrel 204's for a couple of reasons.
Best of luck to you with whichever you decide on.
Long live the amazing 204 Ruger cartridge.
Hold into the wind
varmintGuy

Mine’s a Kimber Montana, I don’t think I can, never really paid attention.

Kimber 84M Varmint here, 32 & 39 vmax, 35 HP Berger and 40 grain Ballistic tips. Shoots them all good. Someday I’ll use it on a deer.

Anybody with a sporter 204 that can see their hits through the scope? I love to be able to see mine but wouldn't mind owning a 204 for some situations.

Also are any factory rifles now available with a 1 in 11 twist? I've read 1 in 12 does not always work for some 40 grain bullets.

I’m just thinking, as any reloader with a 223 or 22-250, no reason to go 204.

I have one, may get out of it. It’s kinda like the guy with a bunch of 308’s, does he really need a 7mm-08?

I own all three cartridges in the same rifles and wouldn’t be without any of them.

Well, it would give a guy a GOOD reason to dump them 308's and '250's......

39 gr Sierra BK also for me . deadly and easy on fur . They shoot great in my Savage and AR style rifle . Supply however is getting low and looks like a year out ??

I've hunted coyotes with every 22 caliber and for the past ten years have used only a 204. The 204 has out performed everything for preventing fur damage. I use 40 gr. Vmax and shot placement is still key for a quick kill and no damage. Almost all my shots are less than 150 yds and it's a pleasure not to have an exit hole to sew up.

Obvioulsy sourdough has never had a 7mm08?

That's good info right there. One reason my buddy prefers using the 22 WMR. If you are only shooting out to "150 yards", you'd get by very well even with one of those. A 204 if far more capable than just 150 yard shooting. I was killing whistle pigs yesterday at over 400 with my new 204, and that was with cheap azzed factory ammo.. I would not hesitate to poke a yote at 600 yards with a 204..

Vmax204: Thats an interesting observation there with your experience using the heavier 40 grain V-Max and the lack of pelt damage!
One reason I chose the 32 grain bullets was my possibly erroneous assumption that the smaller 32 grain bullet would be less likely to "travel on through" Coyote and Bobcat bodies/hides.
Thanks for your learned input.
I was down to the local gun shop today and NO 20 caliber bullets on the shelves so no choices.
Hope things turn around somehow in the future on loading components of all kinds.
Long live the 204 Ruger.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The 32 gr bullets are very explosive and cause quite a splash if you hit a shoulder blade or spine. They must have a thinner jacket as I've had several 32 gr. Nosler Varmageddon turn to dust not far out of the barrel so I found the 40 gr. Vmax to be the better bullet and much more reliable. The 40's handle the wind a lot better as well. I call so most of my shots are inside 150 yds but I have taken the odd one out to 370 yds. At my age I would much rather get them in close where I don't have to walk across a field to pick them up.

I agree with you on the 32gr Nosler Varmageddon, I am quite new to the 204 RUGER but these were the first bullets I found to load with and had several blow-ups.
For me though I have no interest in the 40's, if I'm going to shoot 40's I would rather use a 222 or 223. where the 204 shines is with the 32gr bullets at 4000fps !!!!!!!!!!! I had good results with the 32gr VMax and Blitzking but in my rifle the 32gr Ballistic Tip was the accuracy champ and constructed much better than the Varmageddon

If you are planning on shooting coyotes for fur you will be switching to 40's unless you like sewing up hides

And chasing runners…. I never saw more coyotes get back up than I did with the 32’s.

The 40’s are where the 204 shines on coyotes. Though I do like the 35 grain Berger’s almost as much.

TWR: The ones I have shot (with 32 grain Sierras and 35 grain Bergers) DID NOT go anywhere?
Dittos Badgers.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VG, I killed a lot of them with the 35 Berger and like them but sadly the 32 Vmax did not fair so well for me or anyone else I know. I view them as marginal at best.

But the 40’s are impressive.

My conclusion with the 32 gr bullets is best described as extremely explosive out to 200 yds on a calm day. Not so good past 200 in the wind. Cause BIG splashes with a hit on solid bone. More coyotes wounded and needed 2nd shot to finish. Depending on brand, more likely to fail at max velocity.
I've been hunting coyotes for over 30 years and the 204 is the most impressive cartridge for shooting coyotes without making a mess of the hide as long as the right bullet is used. I would never recommend a 32 gr. for coyotes. The 40 gr Vmax has proven itself time and again as well as Sierra 39 gr Blitzking.
Keep your 32's for gophers, ground hogs and paper.

I went shooting prairie dogs yesterday and found my new combo of 204Ruger and 32gr BT's to be the perfect prairie dog medicine. most shots were from 200-450 yards in a stiff switching wind.
this combo is so explosive I can see that it wouldn't be the greatest for coyotes.........guess I will have to buy another 204 and load it with 39-40grainers for coyotes

35-40 grain Bergers for me in my CZ 527 varmint. Usually no exits on coyotes and have had little damage on turkeys. The Bergers work good on does and spike deer with head shots.