.204 RUger

221 still around (a suprise since it started out as a pistol round) nice little round, oddly enough works quite well as 20 vartag, 3600 fps on 18 grains of powder a nice sub 300 gopher popper.
 
Monty said:
Velocity isn't everything. It's a wee bullet and that velocity drops drastically after a few hundred yards. Also, it doesn't pack the punch of a 22-250 and not even close to .243 but it has shown slightly better numbers than .223 or .222.
The way I see it is that manufacturers have to keep putting out "new" calibres to keep selling guns. The reality is that .204 Ruger simply isn't a big deal. What's next? .207?
Hey, what ever happened to the .221 Fireball?

it's a small bullet that has superior BC to 22 cal bullets, apples to apples, and isn't effected by wind as much downrange. BC of a 39 gr. 20 cal bullet is the same as a 55 gr. 22 cal (Sierra blitzkings).

It hits 400 yards with 110 ft-lbs less than a 22-250, with a bullet 16 grains lighter. Drifts 8" less in a crosswind than a 50 gr. load out of a 223.

Burns 3 grains more powder than a 223, and 8 grains less than a 22-250.


and yes the 221 Fireball is currently being chambered in a m700 rifle, and two years ago or three it was the m700 CLassic. :rolleyes:


204 is very interesting and I will own one before next winter. :D
 
It's real frickin' late, but I question your numbers, Tod. For example, at 400 yards it hits with about 220 ft-lbs less energy, about half the energy at that point.
Yes, it's better than a .22... :rolleyes:
Rem still chambers a 221? Boy, I bet they sell a ton of those! :p
As for windage, if you're only shooting little wee things, like neutrinos...
:D
We'll have to arm wrestle over this, Tod. :p
.204 is cool, but not needed.
 
todbartell said:
define forever, and explain why the 204 Ruger has better barrel life than it should (being a overbore small caliber rifle pushing 4000 fps +):confused:
The barrel life comment was supposed to be "tongue in cheek" and I don't think that they will last for ever. I seriously doubt they will last that much longer than any other caliber shooting 4000fps ;)
 
The numbers are all bull#### anyway--try it and if you like it, use it--if you don't like it trade it off. There has not been a "need" for any varmint specific cartridge since the 22-250 joined the .22 hornet way back when. It would be a lot less fun shooting though if all the others had not come along.

Every one of them has its own niche and most are very good--but as far as need?? I try them because I like to experiment with new cartridges and rifles not because I "need" them

As far as the .221 Fireball goes it is an excellent cartridge--accurate and quiet--I would still have mine if a mint browning tripple deuce had not come my way.

Happy New Year.

44Bore
 
204 Ruger ~ 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKing @ 3900 fps
100y +1.3", 3490 fps, 1055 ft-lbs, 0.8" drift
200y +1.3", 3120 fps, 845 ft-lbs, 3.2" drift
300y -2.3", 2780 fps, 670 ft-lbs, 7.6" drift
400y -10.4", 2465 fps, 525 ft-lbs, 14.3" drift
500y -24.3", 2170 fps, 410 ft-lbs, 23.6" drift


223 Rem ~ 50 gr. Sierra BlitzKing @ 3400 fps
100y +2.2", 2985 fps, 990 ft-lbs, 1.1" drift
200y +2.0", 2600 fps, 750 ft-lbs, 4.5" drift
300y -3.4", 2255 fps, 565 ft-lbs, 10.8" drift
400y -15.8", 1930 fps, 415 ft-lbs, 20.6" drift
500y -37.5", 1640 fps, 300 ft-lbs, 34.7" drift


22-250 Rem ~ 55 gr. Sierra BlitzKing @ 3680 fps
100y +1.7", 3270 fps, 1305 ft-lbs, 0.9" drift
200y +1.5", 2900 fps, 1025 ft-lbs, 3.7" drift
300y -2.7", 2555 fps, 800 ft-lbs, 8.7" drift
400y -12.3", 2240 fps, 610 ft-lbs, 16.5" drift
500y -29.0", 1945 fps, 460 ft-lbs, 27.4" drift



220 Swift ~ 55 gr. Sierra BlitzKing @ 3800 fps
100y +1.5", 3380 fps, 1395 ft-lbs, 0.8" drift
200y +1.4", 3000 fps, 1100 ft-lbs, 3.5" drift
300y -2.5", 2650 fps, 855 ft-lbs, 8.4" drift
400y -11.5", 2325 fps, 700 ft-lbs, 15.8" drift
500y -26.9", 2020 fps, 500 ft-lbs, 26.3" drift


The 204 shoots flatter than even the Swift, drifts less in crosswinds. Average 204 load uses 28 grains of powder. That is 2 grains more than the 223, 8 grains less than the 22-250, and 16 grains less than the 220 Swift.

Pretty hard to argue against the numbers.
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the BC of the Winchester 34 gr. 204 load is quite low, and downrange performance is pathetic. The Sierra 39 gr. BlitzKing has a very high BC and is incredibly sleek for such a small bullet.


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