Custom 204 rifle opinions.

T

The Lou

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So, I’m in the final stages of deciding upon components for a build. I’ve already got a 6mm AI that I would use if anchoring every coyote on the spot was a consideration. I’ve had 204s and 223s. Still have actually. The bulk of my kills are in calling situations so the 223 covers most of my needs but I prefer the 204. I’ve corresponded with a few people and have pretty much settled on a reamer design in 204. Just curious as to the thoughts on components to balance out.

I’ve pretty much decided on a Defiance Tenacity as the platform. Kind of fallen in love with Trigger Tech as a lever. Undecided between another MacMillan(I quite like the game scout) or getting a Wildcat to give a run. Thinking a #4 or #5 contour in the fluted variety. I’ve considered Carbon Six as a pipe but have never had a McGowen to compare for barrel quality vs Krieger or Benchmark sort of thing. High volume shooting isn’t much of a consideration. A zero free bore reamer negates running factory ammo which isn’t a concern as I much prefer to roll my own.

Im after balance in the package more than anything. I’ve got a couple game scout/#4 contour pipes(24”) and (even though I like them)feel they may balance a bit better if the nose were a bit lighter. Hence the possible fluting. I’m always shooting off a bipod or sticks so free handing isn’t a major factor. Anyway. Real word experience appreciated in spades.
 
It sounds like you have really done your homework and have a super quality build going. Only thing I would add is to consider the twist rate in the barrel you choose. Most of the standard 204's are a 1/12 twist that won't quite stabilize 40 gr bullets. My 20 cal (20practical) is twisted with a 1/11 and I can run the 40 gr vmax with no problems whatsoever. The 40 vmax and 39blitzking have the best BC of any if the current 20 cal bullets and both are absolute hammers on coyotes.
 
Yotarunner said:
It sounds like you have really done your homework and have a super quality build going. Only thing I would add is to consider the twist rate in the barrel you choose. Most of the standard 204's are a 1/12 twist that won't quite stabilize 40 gr bullets. My 20 cal (20practical) is twisted with a 1/11 and I can run the 40 gr vmax with no problems whatsoever. The 40 vmax and 39blitzking have the best BC of any if the current 20 cal bullets and both are absolute hammers on coyotes.
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Absolutely! I should have added that detail in my post but I agree entirely. 1:11 for sure. I’ve been able to get pretty decent results with the 39gr SBK in my 1:12 but the 40gr Vmax is a bit of a struggle to say the least. Some shoot them but most don’t.
 
prairie lover said:
I have a 204 also that's in need of tis 3ed barrel. I would be interested in the zero freebore reamer. im thinking Krieger for mine.
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Not to hijack, but I am on my 3rd 204 also and very curious as to how many rounds the first 2 barrels lasted, if you would care to share this info.
 
What scope and mount are you planning on using? That will really effect the balance. With my nightforce for an example i could likely have a 28" to balance out that optical brick whereas if i went swarvoski my rifle may become muzzle heavy
I like 20 to 22" barrels myself for calling in woodlots and fence rows and suck up the balistic losses as the shots are generally short as in under 250 yards. Most likely under 80. If i were hunting wide open areas off a bipod id screw on a 26" heavy barrel and sling it over my shoulder to hike it in
A perfectly balanced rifle plan can be destroyed by optic choices
 
Sounds like a nice build. I agree with Yotarunner about the twist, I had a Rem 700 that only shot well with 32gr bullets and my current Tikka will not shot any 39 or 40 gr bullet I have tried. 32 gr Sierra's are my bullet of choice.
 
brybenn said:
What scope and mount are you planning on using? That will really effect the balance. With my nightforce for an example i could likely have a 28" to balance out that optical brick whereas if i went swarvoski my rifle may become muzzle heavy
I like 20 to 22" barrels myself for calling in woodlots and fence rows and suck up the balistic losses as the shots are generally short as in under 250 yards. Most likely under 80. If i were hunting wide open areas off a bipod id screw on a 26" heavy barrel and sling it over my shoulder to hike it in
A perfectly balanced rifle plan can be destroyed by optic choices
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I know this of what you speak very well. I love my NFs but they are boat anchors. Great scopes but heavy. I’ve hampered myself in the past running bigger scopes just because. 6.5-20x56mm being a fine example. What an awful choice for a calling rifle. Was great in the gopher patches but that was it. I’ve been running a 2.5-16 on my 223 for the last two or three years and love that power range. 2.5-10x being used 5:1 easy vs the 10-16x range.

I’ve purchased and am running some VX6HD 3-18x on other rifles and am really liking them. That would be the biggest scope I’d go with. VX5HD 3-15x would be in the running but I suspect a VX6HD 2-12x might just be what the doctor ordered. Proof will be in the pudding when it’s built and decide then. My 6mmAI gives me a pretty good baseline of what I’m brain childing here. It’s a 24” #4 Krieger on a Remington M600 action in a MacMillan Game Scout wearing a Zeiss 3-15. It isn’t perfectly balanced but darn close. My 6.5x47 is also a #4 Krieger at 24” in the same MacM stock but it’s a Defiance action and wears a VX6HD in 3-18. It has a detachable Mag vs the blind mag of my 6mm and is closer to perfect balance yet. I figure with the difference in bore size from the larger cals to .20 that the fluting would bring the weights back closer to each other and then barrel length will help dictate after that. 24” would be the longest I’d like to run and 22” on the short end.

As far as mounts, I think I’d skip the rail on this one and just run a set of Talley or similar. Something clean and simple. It’s not like I’d be running a heavy scope on a hard recoiling rifle or anything so something lighter and clean would do just fine. My thoughts anyway.
 
dead meat said:
Sounds like a nice build. I agree with Yotarunner about the twist, I had a Rem 700 that only shot well with 32gr bullets and my current Tikka will not shot any 39 or 40 gr bullet I have tried. 32 gr Sierra's are my bullet of choice.
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Yes Sir. He’s dead on correct. 1:11 solves it all. I’ve killed enough coyotes with 32, 35, 39 and 40 gr .20 cal pills to know what I want to be launching and the 1:11 is where I need to be.
 
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