.204 Ruger AR-15

[splean]

Over the past couple of years I have accumulated quite a few AR parts and pieces. Almost enough for a full rifle minus a barrel. I was window shopping on the White Oak web site recently and noticed they offered a few barrel kits. One of these is a heavy contour stainless steel barrel in .204 Ruger. I looked into the round but didn't find much. It exceeds 4,000fps with a 36gr bullet and there are very few powder options is what I read. I was wondering what your experiences have been in either shooting or reloading this cartridge. Any information is appreciated.

 

[beretta989]

Re: .204 Ruger AR-15

I havn't shot the 204 in a gas gun but I do have over 4,000 rounds through my remington 700 vls that I bought new in late 2004 I've taken 3 coyotes and a few thousand Pds. I reload all my rounds and I am very impressed with the round its cheap and easy to reload and works very well on light game. I can get around 8 or 9 reloads out of high quality brass. I shoot nothing but hornaday 40 grain v-max loaded at 3750Fps. It recoils about the same as a 223 and shoots as flat as a 22-250. It just works and thats why I love it.

 

[Outsydlooknin75]

Re: .204 Ruger AR-15

It depends on what you are going to do with it really. If you are gonna gamne hunt with it make sure its large enough to do so. Here in GA it must be a centerfire cartridge over .22 cal so a 204 would only be allowed on varmints.

 

[splean]

Re: .204 Ruger AR-15

Well if I go with the 204 I figure it would make a good varmint round. Beretta 989 seems to confirm that. I wouldn't use it on anything bigger than a coyote. What kind of legs does it have? Within a couple of hundred yards? It seems like a different way to go. I have a few .223 already this might be something new and cool.

 

[nwsnowbum]

Re: .204 Ruger AR-15

I have a .204 ruger AR15 that I built up. I mainly use it for smaller varmints. I love it. There is absolutely no recoil with it. I had problems with it stove piping initially. I had to switch from 30 round pmags to 20 round pmags and added an enidine rifle length buffer. This fixed the problems. I think it was a combination of the slightly different case, the longer OAL, the polymer tip, and the bolt closing too fast.

My barrel is a Noveske .204 24" 1:10" Most .204 barrels are 1:12" and shoot most of the lighter bullets just fine. I stocked up 32gr VMax Hornady factory rounds initially. The 42gr VMax and 45gr spire point factory loads seem to group a bit better for me. I assume its the faster twist. I haven't had a chance to chrono the factory loads, nor have I started reloading them yet.

With a heavier bullet you can take coyotes and badgers.