Getting out of 204 Ruger? Why?

I have 223's but think a 204 will be a good addition so I just bought a used howa 1500 in 204.

Need a decent scope, dies and bullets and then I'll see how I like it. I'm not a recoil fan so I think I will like it :)
 
I like the .204 and the .223 and the .22-250 and the .220 Swift... and, and, and... it is just a cartridge, nothing special, also no issues... if you want to try it, go for it. The .204 Ruger will do what you want it to do. Having said this I agree with comments above in that I do not enjoy loading small pills... they don't cooperate with my sausage fingers.
 
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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I don't know about that, 3 guys in my circle of friends bought 6.5 Creedmoor rifles this year and used them for hunting season.
 
I have 2 - 8 twist 6.5x55 Rifles, an 8 twist 6.5x55AI, a factory barrelled 260 Remington.
Don't think I need a 6.5 CM anytime soon. :)
As for the 204. I think it is probably a zinger, but again, does not do anything a 22-250
cannot do [except economize on powder] The Swift is every bit as flat, and arrives at
500 with more punch for the bigger varmints. [they say barrel burner, but not as bad as
is imagined, IMHE] Dave.
 
Bad Bob said:
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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Bingo! 💯
 
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 Creedmoor is just too slow. 2900 to 3000 fps with high BC bullets is the sweet spot for hunting. IMO.

204 Ruger doesn't seem to gain enough performance over a 223 with much cheaper brass (free) and bullets. They'll have essentially identical wind drift with the trajectory advantage going to the 204. 223 wins on retained energy, 204 wins on initial velocity. 204 seems really cool, I'll admit. But if i want a tiny bore, hyper velocity cartridge I'll just do a 17-cal of some flavour. Probably 17-223 to keep that free brass flowing.
 
My 35 grain berger loads screaming at 4000 fps aren't in the air long enough to know if there is wind. At 300 yards, with a 200 yard 0, the gun is a pure laser beam.

My 22-250 shoots 40 grain NBT bullets a little faster with IMR 8208
 
Why would one go from Creedmore to PRC? Just for the little bit of extra horsepower. In my mind not worth it. Range time, Creedmore better barrel life over the PRC. Creedmore plenty effective out to about 500 on deer sized game. Larger game than that like Elk or Moose, yes guys think PRC. For me, it is step up in caliber to a 30. WSM or 30 Win Mag.

I chose .223 over .204 as many mentioned. Ease of loading and components. Plus the .223 and 6PPC which I shoot as well, use the same powder for me, VV 133. Then I hear the velocity thing with 204 versus 223, I have a load that I shot with 30gr Bergers with my .223 at just over 4000 fps.
 
cycbb486 said:
Why would one go from Creedmore to PRC? Just for the little bit of extra horsepower. In my mind not worth it. Range time, Creedmore better barrel life over the PRC. Creedmore plenty effective out to about 500 on deer sized game. Larger game than that like Elk or Moose, yes guys think PRC. For me, it is step up in caliber to a 30. WSM or 30 Win Mag.

I chose .223 over .204 as many mentioned. Ease of loading and components. Plus the .223 and 6PPC which I shoot as well, use the same powder for me, VV 133. Then I hear the velocity thing with 204 versus 223, I have a load that I shot with 30gr Bergers with my .223 at just over 4000 fps.
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I have both. Both have there place. The 204 with the good bc 39 and 40 gr bullets outdoes the 22250 (also have) and runs with the swift all the while having similar muzzle jump as the 223. Maybe even less. That's the biggest knock on the 22250 to me. That jump and it disturbing the view.

223 has cheaper brass if your willing to do some work to it. Cheaper good decent bc bullets. But far from as flat shooting. Yes you can shoot really light bullets in it but the bc suffers and that causes lots of drift and drop past 300. The 204 really does punch above what most people seem to think by looking at the case.
 
prairie lover said:
I have both. Both have there place. The 204 with the good bc 39 and 40 gr bullets outdoes the 22250 (also have) and runs with the swift all the while having similar muzzle jump as the 223. Maybe even less. That's the biggest knock on the 22250 to me. That jump and it disturbing the view.

223 has cheaper brass if your willing to do some work to it. Cheaper good decent bc bullets. But far from as flat shooting. Yes you can shoot really light bullets in it but the bc suffers and that causes lots of drift and drop past 300. The 204 really does punch above what most people seem to think by looking at the case.
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I’ve been shooting the 35 Berger’s because I have a bunch. The CZ I had was accurate with the 39 BK and 40 V-Max as well at speeds of 3900 FPS. My 22-250 shooting 40 NBT’s is a little quicker but in all reality i think we are all splitting hairs when comparing the 204 to a 1:14 22-250. When you get to 400 with these guns you might as well just take out a 6mm of your flavour. My 243 shooting 55’s will out perform the 204 and 22-250 by a long shot.
 
sharp shooter said:
I’ve been shooting the 35 Berger’s because I have a bunch. The CZ I had was accurate with the 39 BK and 40 V-Max as well at speeds of 3900 FPS. My 22-250 shooting 40 NBT’s is a little quicker but in all reality i think we are all splitting hairs when comparing the 204 to a 1:14 22-250. When you get to 400 with these guns you might as well just take out a 6mm of your flavour. My 243 shooting 55’s will out perform the 204 and 22-250 by a long shot.
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A 204 that can push a 39bk or 40 vmax at 3900 will easily out do a 22250 pushing a 40 gr nosler bt at 4100. The 243 could beat them cause the bc of a 55 gr nosler in 6mm is actually quite good for what it is. Its about the same as a 20 cal 40 gr v max. But it sure wouldn't be by much drift and drop wise.

35 gr bergers also suffer from too low of a bc. Very accurate bullet but I had them fail to expand at 400 and out. Mv of 3900. Its doing a good bit under 2000 ( more like 1700) by 400 yards and expansion becomes iffy. This is not an issue with the 40 gr v max or 39 bk.

I'm currently trying 39 gr speer tnt in 204. Bc is too low. Lots of drop past 300 due to this. Also can't get the speed out of them I get with 39 blitzkings, nor the accuracy. They are super explosive though. Larger hp than the bergers and they are definatly softer. But I wouldn't be getting more due to the low bc.
 
The easiest solution is to get at least one of each. 17 Hornet, 17 FB, 204, 22 Hornet, 223, 22-250 etc. Then you only have to decide which gun you are going to use each time you head out. Only thing I will say is 204 usually gets the nod for coyotes and a 17 of some kind for gophers.
 
I like my .204, it shoots like it has eyes. That likely has more to do with Ted Gaillard and Lyle Linkatus (Spelling?) waving a magic wand at it than the caliber itself, but it is what it is. The way things have changed I'd likely only be able to buy the McMillan stock for what I have into it, but that's the way the cookie she crumbles.

Anyway, there's no way it kills coyotes as good as a 22-250 and as near as I can tell it doesn't save me any hides either.

For gophers I'm OK with the .223. If you have good gopher fields and want to use a 22-250 its helps if you hate it. So that leaves two questions;
1) Do you have good gopher fields?
2) Can I come? You can use my .204 ;)
 
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