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Joined: Mar 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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I mix mine {2} up with 17 Hornets
MOLON LABE
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 422
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Campfire Member
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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 .
“To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom.”
― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,879
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,879 |
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.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22,999
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
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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
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 20
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Sep 2021
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I use a 204 in varmint tournaments and they work great.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 422
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
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I missed out on the LH Savage 204 that was about $550 last year . He who hesitates is -------not smart !
“To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom.”
― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,652
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,652 |
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.
Last edited by Riflehunter; 09/25/21.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,148
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
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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. are any of those barrel burners?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365 |
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. 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
223 Rem, my favorite cartridge - you can't argue with truckloads of dead PD's and gophers.
24hourcampfire.com - The site where there is a problem for every solution.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
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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.
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.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,487
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
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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.
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
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
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...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,233
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,233 |
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 could wish a lot of things on my worst enemy but neuropathy ain't one of them.
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,078
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2019
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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.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,260
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,260 |
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.
Last edited by pete53; 10/09/21.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,161
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,161 |
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/5N0Dt5Gx/8-B9-E37-BA-1438-4-AC0-8-E18-B80-AD4711-B57.jpg) It knocks the crap out of them!
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,652
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,652 |
 awesome !!
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,310
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,310 |
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.
MOLON LABE
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,363
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,363 |
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.
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 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. ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/bZr8nph.jpg)
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,161
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,161 |
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/0jLxMjpc/6-FE04961-21-D8-4-F0-A-9-F68-D568-F5-E3-FEFB.jpg) ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/VsTzHG3n/E4623-C11-B2-C2-4-F41-93-C2-08400-F372290.jpg) 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.
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