ronniedodds89 Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 Hey guys, just new to the forum Seeking some advice, I have a .17 hmr at the moment but looking to step up the something bigger. Few of my friends recommend the .204 but it seems a rare gun. Would you recommend anything else? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorlander Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 The .204 is a cracking long range vermin / fox round , if a few of your mates have one and one of you reloads then it could work out well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggersqueezer Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 worth doing a comparison of wind drift between .204 and a fast twist .223 shooting heavier bullets. if i wanted devestating frangibility out to 300 i would choose .204 but if i wanted to push the range i would choose fast twist .223. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotch_egg Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 It’s not a long range round. Triggersqueezeer is correct, 300 yard point and shoot is where it excels. If you want to reach out you need a 1-8” twist .22 calibre round. So .223 or .22-250 depending on actual need. I have a .20 Tac which is a wildcat version of the .204 and really rate it. Sadly it doesn’t get used due to current commitments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-NZ Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 Yep, a .204 is a nice point-n-squirt 300yd chambering with spectacular splat factor but it gets murdered by wind past 300yds. Actually, the same applies to a std twist .22-250 shooting light projectiles. If I were starting from scratch, I'd happily get a .204 and maybe later add a 6mm of some sort for longer/ windy shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visiter1 Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 if its factory ammo your shooting 223 40 g nostler is a great round , however it depends where you are and what 204 is avaible to you if you can reload it then great job 39 g blitz king and bobs yours athers brother , best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniedodds89 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 Thanks for the input. I think a couple of friends reload so worth an ask to see if they would help me out. The ground I have to shoot on is max 400 yards anyway so the ruger would reach far enough, plus I didn’t want to buy anything to overkill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 The "Over-Kill" comment is a misnomer. If you shoot something to kill it, what does it matter as long as it's dead?? That's obviously only if you don't want to eat the meat.... I've had a .204R and a .223. The .223R with a 1 in 8 twist is loads more versatile... But if you just want to dispatch your vermin out to a max of around 350 yards. Then to be honest, i'd be a little stuck. I'd miss the .223's versatility, but then I'd just miss using the .204R. Yes the .223R is highly versatile. But a big IF, you definitely never go over 350 yards i'd go for as tight a twist as i could in .204R. But that's just 1 opinion.... Just to add, the groups you get from reloading the .204R are amazing!! Good luck, whatever you choose. Chaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniedodds89 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 I meant overkill like using a .308 just to shoot rabbits? Bit exaggerated there but you know what I mean haha. I’ll maybe put in for both on the ticket, and see what the Fao comes back with Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camo304 Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 .204 even with factory 32gr Vmax is still very good, so reloading can wait. I run two both running the 32's one with a Drone the other with Thermal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montey Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 My first centre fire rifle was a 204 it can be very good if you find a good batch of factory or reload for it. There is a but though I personally find it makes a big wound on a fox but I had more runners than when I switched to my 223 using 55/53g Ammo Then I moved up to my 22-50 that's even better but my go to now is the 243 shooting 95g noslers ive never had a runner yet that moved any distance.any one ellles care to comment please do just what I've found over the years.sad to say the 204 is my least used rifle.If your shooting rabbits then it won't make a difrance apart from wind drift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximus otter Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 .223 is legal for muntjac and Chinese water deer in England; also roe in Scotland. .204? Nope. This might not matter to you today, but next month/year...? If you’re not reloading, your choice of factory ammo is going to be massive in .223, very limited in .204 maximus otter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniedodds89 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 hours ago, Montey said: My first centre fire rifle was a 204 it can be very good if you find a good batch of factory or reload for it. There is a but though I personally find it makes a big wound on a fox but I had more runners than when I switched to my 223 using 55/53g Ammo Then I moved up to my 22-50 that's even better but my go to now is the 243 shooting 95g noslers ive never had a runner yet that moved any distance.any one ellles care to comment please do just what I've found over the years.sad to say the 204 is my least used rifle.If your shooting rabbits then it won't make a difrance apart from wind drift. So would you sell the 204? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniedodds89 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 46 minutes ago, maximus otter said: .223 is legal for muntjac and Chinese water deer in England; also roe in Scotland. .204? Nope. This might not matter to you today, but next month/year...? If you’re not reloading, your choice of factory ammo is going to be massive in .223, very limited in .204 maximus otter Well these are good points. Im in Scotland, but yes looking at choice of used rifles etc online, the 204 is rare, lots more 223 to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hancock Posted July 11, 2018 Report Share Posted July 11, 2018 I sold my bug holing Howa 1500 .223 for a .17 Hornet - testing on Friday - and a 6.5 Creedmoor, this after having a "blueprinted .204 which would not hit the proverbial barn door. There is a lot to be said for a (smaller) deer legal varminting .223 shooting 40gn Vmax - 55gn Sako gameheads.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggersqueezer Posted July 11, 2018 Report Share Posted July 11, 2018 just another point ,when i had a 204 i read a lot online about this amazing fps and flat shooting .the only rifle i could buy was a tikka with a 20" barrel so there is a chunk of that fps gone on a short barrel .then my best accuracy node was also slower. i missed a lot (paper punching) sending light bullets at slower than expected speed.went fast 223 hit rate was much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorlander Posted July 11, 2018 Report Share Posted July 11, 2018 My .204 CZ527 has a 26" barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montey Posted July 11, 2018 Report Share Posted July 11, 2018 To answer your question would I sell my 204 no I need to find the time to work up a load for it. thanks for asking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 Love my 204 ? Didn't think they were rare, but 223 is more common. I have a CZ527 varmint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam39 Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 On 7/11/2018 at 4:43 PM, David Hancock said: I sold my bug holing Howa 1500 .223 for a .17 Hornet - testing on Friday - and a 6.5 Creedmoor, this after having a "blueprinted .204 which would not hit the proverbial barn door. There is a lot to be said for a (smaller) deer legal varminting .223 shooting 40gn Vmax - 55gn Sako gameheads.. Nail on head! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 On 7/11/2018 at 3:12 PM, Moorlander said: My .204 CZ527 has a 26" barrel. Is that custom? I never measured my CZ Varmint! I gave it to my girlfriend and she gladly kills prairidogs with it out to 400 yards. I have shot 40 grain Hornady and Noslers over Varget which, by the book, are no faster than my 40 grain 223 loads but they did seem to reach farther. I never did bother to chronograph my loads as they were around half MOA from the start and that's good enough for sod rats.~Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorlander Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 3 hours ago, Andrew said: Is that custom? I never measured my CZ Varmint! I gave it to my girlfriend and she gladly kills prairidogs with it out to 400 yards. I have shot 40 grain Hornady and Noslers over Varget which, by the book, are no faster than my 40 grain 223 loads but they did seem to reach farther. I never did bother to chronograph my loads as they were around half MOA from the start and that's good enough for sod rats.~Andrew Standard rifle CZ 527 .204 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 Thanks for that. Great rifle... I enjoyed having one for the 30 minutes it took my lady friend to fall in love with it! Oh. I shot it after that and reloaded for it, but it was clear she'd laid claim to it. (sigh) ~Andrew PS: I'm sure I'll get to see it again when we go prairiedogging next week.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 Hmm id consider something else . Lets say the wind gets up and keeps blowing a gale for 3 weeks. Out of 3 rifle id leave the 222 .20 prac and get the 6br out . Another very versatile round like heavy 223 i suppose . But not much more powder than it . Can be / is generally very accurate and easy to tune . Varmint bullet choice is very good too . And if you ever get more permission / longer ranges its 1k capable . Nice to shoot too . Although i love my 20 , it does miss past 350 regular because of my lack of wind reading skills and unpredictability in gusty conditions . Had it out Sunday for 1st time in 10 odd weeks . Only 2 kills , magpie 70 yds - the head and a wing popped about 10 ' into the air straight up no joking . 2nd shot carrion crow 390 yds wind had a lull so sent it , it dropped dead instantly not a flinch . However , cue 5 minutes later 2 young magpie was in same bush but wind was up , i missed the next 2 shots so went to another shoot . Had that been my 6br / 105 it normally would be on target . PS- if it was the only gun you own , id be much more comfortable shooting fox with a 6mm rather than a 20 , the .20 cal bullets were designed for small vermin , medium sized / game - rabbit/hare . I dont like the risk of wounding things . Id probably rather use a 22 hornet on fox than a 20 cal . Just my thoughts . Think youll enjoy what ever you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorlander Posted July 25, 2018 Report Share Posted July 25, 2018 Try shooting a fox with a .204 , there will never be complaints from the fox , IMHO because of the .204`s flat trajectory you are less likely to miss should you misjudge the distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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