204 ruger

[SamBlankenship]

So im looking at getting a 204 ruger. My question is. Bolt gun? Semi auto? Single shot? Im looking at a single shot TC Prohunter with 28" prohunter barrel any bad news i should know about the 204.? I had a ruger MKII target in 204 years ago. But traded it before i ever shot it

 

[Supersubes]

What’s your intended use? .204 is pretty straight forward. Like it’s sligtly smaller bretheran, it doesn’t need a bunch of barrel. 28 seems a bit much imo. Look into the tikka as well. If you have a decent budget, the cooper mod 21’s are badass, and have a petite single shot action that suits small cartridges well. I’m a bolt gun guy, and prefer repeaters generally.

 

[SamBlankenship]

Intended use would be Varmint control(not really a problem but it gets points with the neighbors) and basically punching paper 100,200,300 yards mostly. If it comes right down to it its more of a want rather than a need. Im a bolt gun guy myself with plenty of semi autos. Again its mainly just to have. And i agree 28" is a lil overkill but TC has a standard fluted 28" barrel and im looking to trade for it so instead of waiting on the bolt gun or even semi auto upper in 204 to come along i figured trade for this one see how i like it see if its something i want to persue in another platform.

 

[Supersubes]

If you like the trade, and the gun shoots well, do it. .20’s are fun!

 

[SamBlankenship]

If you like the trade, and the gun shoots well, do it. .20’s are fun!

I like the trade. Im just wondering do i trade the single shot for a bolt gun lol. Guess we shall see

 

[huntsman22]

Personally, the TC is too slow and a PITFA to break open on a bench, to suit my needs.....

 

[SamBlankenship]

Personally, the TC is too slow and a PITFA to break open on a bench, to suit my needs.....

To slow ya say? Either one bolt or semi or single shot are all over 4000fps. Unless its 22" barrel then its like 3980ish. Im kiding ofcourse i know what ya meant and i kinda agree it does take time to break it down and reload. But ive never been one to be in a hurry for my next shot not on paper atleast.

 

[huntsman22]

paper don't run down a hole when shot at....

 

[BurnOut]

I have a Tikka T3 in .204 Ruger with a 26" barrel from PVA, and absolutely love it... it's my main prairie dog gun. I really think that 20 cal chamberings are overlooked in favor of 22s, which is a shame, because the 20s really are fantastic for varmint control and plinking.

Regarding MVs, I've found that most factory (204 Ruger) ammo that I've tried has 32 grain projectiles running close to 4k FPS, but 39s/40s are closer to 3750-ish. The good news is that with handloads, pushing the 39s/40s to 3950-4k is entirely possible, as long as you don't use standard CCI small rifle primers (the primer cup gets pierced too easily, and there are no other pressure signs). Converting to CCI small rifle magnum primers solves the issue, though.

 

[RTH1800]

I am a huge fan of the .204 R and have owned 4 and built 8-10 for friends. I shoot Hornady 32 Grain V Max factory ammo and have 4-5K once fired brass but cannot get over how good the factory ammo is. I would not want a SS as I use mine for hunting. I use one bolt gun built by Jim Borden and Two AR's. One is a Proof CF which I am just getting set up. The other is a Baer. All I have shot are stunningly accurate, kill well even to 500M. I like the longer barrels as they keep noise down, shoot fast and hold steady. My bolt gun has a 26" MTU barrel.

 

[SamBlankenship]

I have a Tikka T3 in .204 Ruger with a 26" barrel from PVA, and absolutely love it... it's my main prairie dog gun. I really think that 20 cal chamberings are overlooked in favor of 22s, which is a shame, because the 20s really are fantastic for varmint control and plinking.

Regarding MVs, I've found that most factory (204 Ruger) ammo that I've tried has 32 grain projectiles running close to 4k FPS, but 39s/40s are closer to 3750-ish. The good news is that with handloads, pushing the 39s/40s to 3950-4k is entirely possible, as long as you don't use standard CCI small rifle primers (the primer cup gets pierced too easily, and there are no other pressure signs). Converting to CCI small rifle magnum primers solves the issue, though.

For some reason ive never owned one but i am a Fan of the Tikka T3's

 

[steve123]

What’s your intended use? .204 is pretty straight forward. Like it’s sligtly smaller bretheran, it doesn’t need a bunch of barrel. 28 seems a bit much imo. Look into the tikka as well. If you have a decent budget, the cooper mod 21’s are badass, and have a petite single shot action that suits small cartridges well. I’m a bolt gun guy, and prefer repeaters generally.

The M21 I had in 204R was the most accurate factory rifle I ever shot! That's one I regretted selling.

 

[SamBlankenship]

Picked up the Tc Prohunter this evening. Stainless 28" fluted barrel with plastic stock and more than plenty reloading supplies for it . Tomorrow if the rain holds off we shall see what happens. See if its a keeper or trade fodder.

 

[Kimber.204]

As my user name implies I've got a Kimber Varmint in 204Ruger. I love the gun. Since I bought it I've carried it in the woods more than any other gun, just because I liked the feel of it.

The cartridge is great too. I was reloading for it for years, then I found out that the Fiocchi 40gr Vmax loads were just as good as my handloads (around 3/8" at 100 yards). So now I just buy a few boxes of that when I need it. I don't have time to reload like I used to.

The annoying thing about it is the smaller cleaning rods/jags needed if you don't have them already.

Enjoy!

 

[SamBlankenship]

As my user name implies I've got a Kimber Varmint in 204Ruger. I love the gun. Since I bought it I've carried it in the woods more than any other gun, just because I liked the feel of it.

The cartridge is great too. I was reloading for it for years, then I found out that the Fiocchi 40gr Vmax loads were just as good as my handloads (around 3/8" at 100 yards). So now I just buy a few boxes of that when I need it. I don't have time to reload like I used to.

The annoying thing about it is the smaller cleaning rods/jags needed if you don't have them already.

Enjoy!

I picked up a couple boxes of bullets 24gr NTX, 32gr Vmax, 34gr Dogtown FBHP, along with 2 boxes of Hornady superformance 40gr vmax with the rifle along with couple hundred pieces of new brass. Im in the process of loading a couple dozen of each just to see what it likes best im really hoping the 24gr NTX. Man those look wicked!! Only problem im running into is load data in my manuals. Especially with Varget powder. Im really thinking i would rather have a Bolt gun to be honest but we will see what happens i guess. Thanks for all the input from everyone so far its greatly appreciated.

 

[SamBlankenship]

Shot the TC today. Shoots really good. Im sure that it can get dialed in a little more with a little twaek here and there on OAL and powder charge but im not 100% on the single shot just. Maybe another range trip will change my mind

 

[SamBlankenship]

Anyone have any dealings with these Doublestar barrels? I have a doublestar lower thats been pretty good all around is it the same company thats making these barrels?

https://www.opticsplanet.com/double...arrel-with-picatinny-gas-block.html#qnaAnchor

 

[SamBlankenship]

While i will put a low pro gas block and remove the picatinny gas block

 

[264win]

With the 204 and 39/40 grain bullets, a 9 twist barrel is the way to go. Particularly if you plan to shoot past 300 yds.
Imho an ar in 204 is the ultimate varmint gun

 

[SamBlankenship]

With the 204 and 39/40 grain bullets, a 9 twist barrel is the way to go. Particularly if you plan to shoot past 300 yds.
Imho an ar in 204 is the ultimate varmint gun

Ok. I was wondering about the 12 being to slow for the 204 anyways. Maybe im looking at it all wrong. And honestly i dont know how much past 300 ill be pushing this rig but 500-600 yard varmint shots are possible

 

[Supersubes]

Ok. I was wondering about the 12 being to slow for the 204 anyways. Maybe im looking at it all wrong. And honestly i dont know how much past 300 ill be pushing this rig but 500-600 yard varmint shots are possible

The 12 twist (oem twist) barrels are always marginal with the 40 gr bullets. My 20’s are 9 and 10 twist. Never blown up a bullet. Even in my small 20( 20-221 fireball), I shoot 39/40 gr. They always group smaller for me at distance due to less wind drift, and I can’t tell any difference in terminal.

 

[SamBlankenship]

The 12 twist (oem twist) barrels are always marginal with the 40 gr bullets. My 20’s are 9 and 10 twist. Never blown up a bullet. Even in my small 20( 20-221 fireball), I shoot 39/40 gr. They always group smaller for me at distance due to less wind drift, and I can’t tell any difference in terminal.

I do like the 40gr bullets in the 204. Im currently shooting 24gr NXT and 32gr in the 12 twist prohunter. I loaded a ladder test with the 24gr's and H4895 and was very pleased with the performance at 100 yards. But for distance i need to shoot the 40gr

 

[SamBlankenship]

Anybody ever deal with this APFarmory? Seems like a pretty good price


https://www.apfarmory.com/204-ruger-24-barrel/