Getting out of 204 Ruger? Why?

Had the same Tikka T3 in LSS, it's one of those "i regret selling it" moves...

35gr Bergers or 39gr SBKs are your friends for this little wonder caliber. There was guys on the HCP (hunt can predator) board that were routinely taking song dogs cleanly at 500yrds in AB/Sask. Says much of its' capability

todbartell said:
I have a Tikka 204. It's a good little round, but for me I prefer the 223
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I have a 500ct of 39SBK on order, looking forward to trying that out. I got the rifle for my son to use, it will someday be rebarreled to 223 Rem 1:8, but until then I will gain some experience with the 204
 
Tikka T3x Lite that I picked up for a song. I hear of guys getting 3000+ rounds from their 204's...I will rebarrel when bored of the 204, not when it's toast
 
track said:
The 204 Ruger is not the only cartridge loosing interest. I've witnessed viewing many use 6.5 Creedmoor for sale on different gun-sites. It appears that Creedmoor has lost some of it's magic, which never really existed.
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6.5 x 55 SE out performs the Creed, and is easier on barrels. Same with the 204, never really ever caught on. What will it do that the .222, .223 won't? .22-250, had one, but a barrel burner and used way too much power to do so (really accurate though).
 
todbartell said:
223
Pro : easier to find brass, bullets, dies; superior long range performance with 75+gr bullets in 1:8 twist
cons : more recoil

204
Pro : flatter trajectory at moderate ranges, more cool factor
cons : smaller range of bullet weights / styles to choose from
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Cool factor; get a .456 whatever; way cooler: Size matters (if you are wondering 456 is the long form of FFS).
 
shot one along side 22250 and 223s for 10 years and still do. 204 with 39m bk gives up nothing but some fur damage to the 22250. If gophers is your main target a 17 hornet is something special.
 
Meroh said:
6.5 x 55 SE out performs the Creed, and is easier on barrels. Same with the 204, never really ever caught on. What will it do that the .222, .223 won't? .22-250, had one, but a barrel burner and used way too much power to do so (really accurate though).
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How do you figure the Swede is easier on barrels when it’s forcing more powder down the same size hole?
 
Maybe he's shooting the 6.5x55 in it's most common form, lobbing 160gr round noses out at 2300 fps with some IMR 4064
 
When I saw this thread I was surprised, but then I thought the OP just wants to feel good about his 204, lol.
Its probably the only chambering I want and have yet to buy, judging by its excellent reviews.
 
I have two .204 Tikka’s, they’re not going anywhere. Surprisingly they don’t like the 39gr Sierra BK, but 35gr Berger or any 32gr are the ticket.
 
I used to be a huge .22-250 fan until the .204 Ruger came along. .22-250 is impressive no doubt but had 4 major downfalls for me. 1) have to change the barrel every 2-3 years. 2) can`t see bullet impact with scope set on higher power. 3) costs too much to shoot. 4) heats up the barrel almost immediatly. The .204 loaded up properly with 39 or 40 grain bullets will do anything the .22-250 will do (run some numbers on JBM) and does it with approx. 30% less powder, a big deal with the price of powder. You can see bullet impact, and do not have to "cool off" the barrel anywhere near as frequently. Last but not least the barrel lasts 3 times as long. If you are only going to shoot a hand full of rounds occassionaly then the .22-250 still makes sense, I still like the cartridge it is one of my favourites, but I love the .204 more :stirthepot2:
 
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track said:
The 204 Ruger is not the only cartridge loosing interest. I've witnessed viewing many use 6.5 Creedmoor for sale on different gun-sites. It appears that Creedmoor has lost some of it's magic, which never really existed.
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By this logic, the .308 is doomed..... maybe it’s that there are a massive number of 6.5CM rifles bought in the last 5 years? It’s currently one of the hottest selling target cartridges and now deer, bear and backroad coyote hunters want it too. Lots of new rifles bought, many will be sold. Simple math.
 
Love the 204! My only complaint is I don’t get to shoot it as much as I used to. 35gr Berger’s on coyotes and 32gr’ fast as I could on gophers, magpies and crows. The properties I used to shoot I couldn’t stretch the legs out beyond 400-500 so I opted for speed and explosive reactions.
 
I regretted getting rid of my 204. So I picked up a 5/35SMc. It helped me forget the sting. Something about the thought 1/4mile gophers spontaneously turning into little punk clouds makes me smile.
 
I have MANY varmint rifles in many calibers. 204 Ruger is amazing for bird, rodent, coyote. Fast and flat. I cant sell any of my 204 tikka, 22-250, hornets or .223. Tikka varmint stainless is a great rifle in 204
All cheap to shoot when reloading. Hornets use small amounts of powder so cheap and fun.
 
Get one!!! I had a CZ527 Varmint in 204. It was extremely accurate. Was not fussy to reload and I was pushing 35gr bergers at over 4000fps into tiny groups with 8208. with a 100 yard 0, at 300 it dropped about 7 inches. I had to sell that gun to fund another but luckily I came across an A bolt medallion. I tried that berger load in the A bolt and its looking good.

5 shots at 200 metres
51738367602_244be531c9_b.jpg
 
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