Author Topic: Any 204 Ruger love? (Read 15085 times)

257 Wby Mag · « **on:** March 09, 2015, 04:11:51 PM »

Just picked up a 700 SPS 204. Installed some talley lw, mounted a bushnell 3200 3x9 with the firefly reticle. Figure the fire fly will come in handy for night hunts. Sighted her in with the hornady 32 gr advertised @ 4225... Didn't get the chrono out but it sure gets to my 200 & 300 yard gongs fast!! Grin

Anybody run one? Kill any varmints with it? What Boolit ? Later

jjhunter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2015, 04:32:05 PM »

A Cooper MTV and a Les Baer Varmint. Baer was a safe queen but a sub 1/4" gun with factory 32 grn V-max (suggested to be the only round fired through rifle per Les).
4250 fps in the Baer.

The Cooper has seen plenty o' days afield. Dog count around 200. Started with factory 32 grn v max, but lots of run-offs after solid hits on dogs. I switched to the 40 grainers and never looked back. They are hard on the dogs and chucks.

A couple of years ago, I reloaded some 39 grain blitz kings behind BLC(2) and was consistently in the .3s and .4s - I was getting over 4K fps. If I had more time, I'd go back and mess around with this combo some more.

I eventually went back to the 40 grain v-max factory Hornady loads as they shot really well, performed well on dogs and I didn't have to reload.

jjhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2015, 04:35:15 PM »

I forgot that I also had one of the first Ruger #1 varmint .204s when they first came out. Shot the 32 grain V-max really well (paper) - and I gave it to my brother after less than a box of rounds.

Encore 280 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:23:41 PM »

I've been interested in the 204 for my Encore but wondered how long the barrels last with that kind of velocity.

BULLBLASTER · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:34:12 PM »

I have a bushnell elite 3200 with firefly also. Kind of a gimmick imo.

but a decent scope no less. It has served me very well on my 243. I dont own a 204 tho.

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:39:23 PM »

Ya bull I figure it might be handy on night sets?? Dunno I'll report back

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:41:19 PM »

JJ did either Boolit. Pass through or most erupt and stay inside? I'm wanting sumthin that'll penetrate about 2" and explode

elkaholic123 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:46:27 PM »

DPMS LR-204, has spent too much time in the safe,all I can say is fast and accurate

jjhunter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:19:42 PM »

Quote from: 257 Wby Mag on March 09, 2015, 05:41:19 PM

JJ did either Boolit. Pass through or most erupt and stay inside? I'm wanting sumthin that'll penetrate about 2" and explode
[/

The 40 grn V-max pass through (90% of them). I can't remember what the blitzkings did?

CAMPMEAT · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:35:48 PM »

I've got an AR and an Encore in 204...I need more ammo for the AR.

Encore 280 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:38:19 PM »

Campmeat, how's the Encore barrel holding up? Lotta rounds down it? I would like to get one for mine.

AWS · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:39:18 PM »

No love for the stock 204 here but love the brass. I've built .224, .243, and .257 wildcats on the case and all have turned out beyond expectations.

jjhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:43:56 PM »

Here are some yotes shot with the 40 grain v-max. Varied "explosive" results based upon shot placement. High or low hits get nasty. Tight in the shoulder damage looks minimal.

CAMPMEAT · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:44:58 PM »

Quote from: Encore 280 on March 09, 2015, 06:38:19 PM

Campmeat, how's the Encore barrel holding up? Lotta rounds down it? I would like to get one for mine.

I haven't shot it yet. I traded a 223 Encore barrel for it. It's pretty nice, fluted and 28 inch stainless barrel.

Biggerhammer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2015, 07:44:05 PM »

26" White Oak Armarment barrel.

Destroyed it's share of Rockchucks but for me, the hits are lame. I prefer a 6mm/.243 75gr V-Max or bigger.

Blacklab · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:19:06 PM »

love mine, lilja 17 inch barrel 204 ruger build. Small bullets that go really fast are my favorite

2labs · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:54:47 PM »

Love mine, Howa 1500 with a 4.5 x 14 x 50 LR luepold . 32 v max shoot the best groups. 39 sbk shoot about .75. No recoil and cheap to reload.

32s have a major splat factor!

jpharcher · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:55:51 PM »

I have a 700 SPS topped with a Nikon Monarch 3 4x16x42. This gun hates Hornady 40 superformance rounds, 1 in 12 twist cannot stabilize it- keyholed every shot but shoots Winchester 34 grain lubalox very well. Once I started reloading it I went with Berger 40's, pushed by 26ish grains of Varget and am shooting dime groups of 10 shots at 200.
The Remington throat is deeper than any I have owned, cannot get .010 off lands so I load to 2.310 COAL and it shoots GREAT.
I am not so patiently waiting for my Shilen 1 in 9 24 inch barreled AR upper to arrive to put on a Palmetto lower and try it out.
Have not had a chance to put any dogs down....yet, been east once, elk got in the way of the dogs that were trying to come in.
With reloading I am on 10th reload on a lot of my brass, very little stretch between reload, unlike my 22-250 which stretches .005ish each time.

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2015, 04:40:01 PM »

Ya Landon I've smashed lotsa coyotes and bucks via 55 bt's in either a 243 or 6mm, the shhhhhwack is quite impressive, as are the exit holes !!! Wanted sumthin a little tamer for fox, badger,and coyote. Think I might even try those 32 grainers out on a muley buck in Montana this year, just for conversation..

2labs · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2015, 05:00:16 PM »

Quote from: 257 Wby Mag on March 10, 2015, 04:40:01 PM

Ya Landon I've smashed lotsa coyotes and bucks via 55 bt's in either a 243 or 6mm, the shhhhhwack is quite impressive, as are the exit holes !!! Wanted sumthin a little tamer for fox, badger,and coyote. Think I might even try those 32 grainers out on a muley buck in Montana this year, just for conversation..

Why would you shoot a "Muley Buck" with a 32gr. .204? Or any .204 bullet!
And post that?

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2015, 05:05:37 PM »

Ahh that didn't take long...

My question then, is why not? Are bucks Boolit proof? Are they really that hard to kill?

Biggerhammer · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2015, 05:14:01 PM »

Ha! Where it's legal. I would heart shoot a mulie no problem with a 32gr V-Max out of a .204 Ruger. On the other hand, I would have no problem shooting it with a 470gr CEB NON-CON out of a .450 Ultra Magnum either.

Biggerhammer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 10, 2015, 05:16:50 PM »

Quote from: 257 Wby Mag on March 10, 2015, 05:05:37 PM

Ahh that didn't take long...

My question then, is why not? Are bucks Boolit proof? Are they really that hard to kill?

It's only hard to put bucks down, when they are shot poorly.

jjhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:02:15 PM »

I seen a few muley bucks fall to a 22-250

Biggerhammer · « **Reply #24 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:07:48 PM »

Speed kills.

yorketransport · « **Reply #25 on:** March 10, 2015, 09:01:56 PM »

I had a 204 for a while and it was one of the most boring guns I've ever owned. I loaded up some 32gr V-max bullets on top of a mild charge of H-322 and all of the bullets just kept going into the same hole. I had the scope zeroed and my load development done in 10 shots. What's the fun in that?

It was my dedicated porcupine rifle and it did an amazing job of it! This critter was shot at about 50 yards.

The quills and fur went every where!

Andrew

CAMPMEAT · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2015, 09:21:15 PM »

I bet that porkie had a stank to it..........

yorketransport · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2015, 09:15:22 PM »

That particular one had tape worms like I've never seen. Most of it got left for the coyotes.

Everything but the skull and hide.

I have a lot more respect for the 204 after seeing what it did to that critter. Porcupines are surprisingly tough and that little 32gr bullet did a heck of a job!

Andrew

Blacklab · « **Reply #28 on:** March 12, 2015, 09:43:19 PM »

This is why I built mine. Reminds me of Randy Johnson just no body

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:24:14 PM »

Quote from: 2labs on March 10, 2015, 05:00:16 PM

Quote from: 257 Wby Mag on March 10, 2015, 04:40:01 PM
Ya Landon I've smashed lotsa coyotes and bucks via 55 bt's in either a 243 or 6mm, the shhhhhwack is quite impressive, as are the exit holes !!! Wanted sumthin a little tamer for fox, badger,and coyote. Think I might even try those 32 grainers out on a muley buck in Montana this year, just for conversation..

Why would you shoot a "Muley Buck" with a 32gr. .204? Or any .204 bullet!
And post that?

Because I have a hunch it'll work quite handily....

MuleySniper · « **Reply #30 on:** April 22, 2015, 06:45:14 AM »

Quote from: jjhunter on March 09, 2015, 04:35:15 PM

I forgot that I also had one of the first Ruger #1 varmint .204s when they first came out. Shot the 32 grain V-max really well (paper) - and I gave it to my brother after less than a box of rounds.

My dad has that same rifle/caliber.
I love my .204. I have a browning a-bolt. I got dies for it awhile back and picked up some Berger 40 grainers to load up for it. It shoots all the factory Hornady stuff real well. My .204 was the main reason I got rid of my Tikka .223 Varminter. I found myself automatically pulling the .204 out of the safe each time a coyote/cat hunt came up. I did shoot a bobcat with it from about 30 yards. My shot was low and the cat basically self gutted. No pelt damage from the low hit though I assume it would have made a mess if I had hit it mid body.
MS

headshot5 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:14:17 AM »

If I was focusing on cats or had somewhere to hunt foxes, I would have kept mine. Unfortunately, most stock 204 rifles come with a 12 twist, so the long and heavy bullets wouldn't shoot in it.

I found I prefer heavier bullets, so I switched back to a 9 twist .223. I won't lie, I miss it as it was a flat shooting gun. I just wish it would have handled the 40gr V-maxes. My brother's 204 also with a 12 twist but shot the 40's just fine. I was jealous. With 32's it was devastating on raccoons.

Skywagon_185 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:27:58 AM »

I shot a bobcat at about 150 yds. sitting looking at me in 4" of fresh snow. Centered his chest. Not one drop of blood on the pelt or snow. No exit wound. Thought I'd scared it to death!!! When I took the pelt it was a different story. The factory 40g V-max had EXPLODED!!

bearhunter99 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:34:17 AM »

Love my .204. I have a Remington 700 VTR and it shoots lights out.

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #34 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:41:14 AM »

Smoked a couple coyotes with it, 32 gr hornady, love it!!

JODakota · « **Reply #35 on:** April 22, 2015, 08:36:18 AM »

Just picked up a .204 ruger predator. Can't wait to take it out!

Emptyhanded · « **Reply #36 on:** April 22, 2015, 09:58:58 AM »

I've killed a few coyotes with mine the past couple years with the 32 vmax. No complaints on the 3 or so I shot with that bullet, but last December I worked up a load with the 35 gr Berger and imr8208xbr. Those little Bergers shot really well. Still haven't had the chance to kill a coyote with them though. I'm pretty confident the dogs won't be shrugging them off.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

grundy53 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:05:01 AM »

My dad just bought one. It's a Savage. Not sure which model. It has a bull barrel. I can't wait to give it a try.

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