204 Ruger - Do I need it?

Chet · #1 03-18-2008, 08:29 AM

I won a nice little 204 Ruger in a Rem 700 SPS Stainless last week with a 5-15 3200 Elite on it. I'm keeping the scope for sure but I'm still undecided about the gun. I've got a couple 22 rimfires and a 22-250 Coyote slayer already so I don't really have too much use for it but it totally goes against my code of conduct to sell any gun.

Has anyone out there tried one and found that they can't live without it? What do you like and dislike about them?

Chet

Scott N · #2 03-18-2008, 08:34 AM

I'm not sure if gophers are ever on your target list, but there is at least on advantage a cartridge like a 204, 222, or 223 has over a 22-250: You can usually spot your shots with the lesser powered rounds. I find that with my 22-250, even with a varmint weight barrel, there is enough recoil that makes it so that I can't acutally see where the bullet hits. With my 222, I can see where the bullet hits usually, which is good for both making shot adjustments and also entertainment value

aulrich · #3 03-18-2008, 08:53 AM

You need to try it, first. the 204 is a great varmint round.

aulrich · #4 03-18-2008, 09:01 AM

Oh yea if you don't like it I'll take that remington tomato stake off you hands for no charge.

TheClash · #5 03-18-2008, 09:02 AM

i am confused?? free gun....need??? where is the problem? just kidding. i have never shot the .204 ......yet...but my nephew has one. he sold his .17hmr and converted to .204. just liked it better. raves about it to me all the time.

Okotokian · #6 03-18-2008, 09:08 AM

I'm with Clash. You got the gun in your hands man!!!! Reasons to keep it????? Wait a minute, are these reasons you are going to have to give to your wife??? Ahhhh, now I see....

mudkid · #7 03-18-2008, 10:03 AM

I know a good kid with a hard shot who's birthday is in april.

Chet · #8 03-18-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudkid

I know a good kid with a hard shot who's birthday is in april.

You'll get nothing for your birthday and like it! You're the only guy I know that needs that gun less than me.

gube · #9 03-18-2008, 10:31 AM

I had those same confusing thoughts on whether I needed one back in 2006.
Ended up buying one and it quickly became my favorite caliber out in the prairie dog fields. So much so that I went out and bought another one on 07/07/07.
Now I'm planning on picking up another one in a lighter version, CZ 527 or Tikka T3 lite, compared to my two heavy barreled savages.
Seeing those impacts through the scope is such a treat and sure increases the "giggle factor".

TheClash · #10 03-18-2008, 11:59 AM

i have been a good boy all year and will give it a good home. my birthday is soon as well....well august..haha

slopeshunter · #11 03-18-2008, 01:07 PM

Chet, can't help you any on the .204, but I couldn't agree more with you about your code of conduct. If it were me, I'd try it out and see what I think of it.

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chet

but it totally goes against my code of conduct to sell any gun.

nekred · #12 03-18-2008, 01:19 PM

Stupid question...

only thing better than one gun in a calbre is more guns in that calibre!...

Okotokian · #13 03-18-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekred

Stupid question...

only thing better than one gun in a calbre is more guns in that calibre!...

I'm in favour of lots of guns, but that is one I've never quite understood... two guns of the same caliber, unless you are taking friends out to shoot. If one is better than the other, sell the inferior one. Heresy???? LOL

gube · #14 03-18-2008, 04:56 PM

The nice thing about having two is when you are out in a prairie dog field with lots of action, it's nice to let one barrel cool down while you use the other.

SHORTMAG · #15 03-18-2008, 09:08 PM

"He who has the most guns, when he dies,WINS"!!...KSjr/86

bradtothebone · #16 03-18-2008, 09:49 PM

I love it, coyotes to 300, gophers......I have a cz527 and a thumbhoke stock savage BTVS..... Love them both.....Wouldnt sell either... easy to reload for..... Loves Varget although varget a little low on velocity, but also love h4895 for 39grainers and h322 for 32grainers...

Chet · #17 03-19-2008, 10:32 AM

Its settled - I'll keep it. It might put the ole' 22-250 into semi-retirement but I'm sure it won't mind the rest.

I found a site with lots of good 204 info:

http://www.rugerhunting.com/

I guess now I just need to find some dies, brass, bullets, etc. I'll probably want to upgrade the stock as well. It's amazing how something free can end up being so expensive.

TheClash · #18 03-19-2008, 10:33 AM

you can give it to me and then you would be even steven hahaha....

enjoy. i am sure you will love that rifle.

mudkid · #19 03-19-2008, 04:46 PM

Good plan Chet!

shootermcgavin · #20 03-19-2008, 11:20 PM

do 204s get blown around pretty easily?

gube · #21 03-20-2008, 07:51 AM

With a comparable bullet, they have less wind drift than a 223 or 22-250.
Ballistically, they are very close to the 22-250.

slopeshunter · #22 03-20-2008, 11:51 AM

Good link Chet. Learned alot about the .204 that I didn't know. It's got me thinking about picking one up now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chet

Its settled - I'll keep it. It might put the ole' 22-250 into semi-retirement but I'm sure it won't mind the rest.

I found a site with lots of good 204 info:

http://www.rugerhunting.com/

I guess now I just need to find some dies, brass, bullets, etc. I'll probably want to upgrade the stock as well. It's amazing how something free can end up being so expensive.

Stinky Coyote · #23 03-20-2008, 12:30 PM

Chet you'll probably giggle the first time you shoot it if your used to the 250. You get the same trajectory but watching hits in scope is nice and you'll probably have a shooter as so many are. I don't do long range stuff for coyotes, i like to call them so that means my set ups are geared for 100% less than 300 yrd shots and 95% get shot inside 200 yrds....but thats the juice for me and i don't think there is a finer 'callers' caliber out there and in a lighter weight sporter type gun for carrying afield its a perfect combo for a coyote caller.

So you can justify things by setting that up as your calling gun and the other one for your roading.....err i mean....long distance gun.

But you'll probably want a lower mag scope for a calling gun....lots of 50 yrd surprises that 3x comes in handy for.

Or leave the scope and do combo calling and gopher fun.

And just to keep rambling....since you'll have a good calling rig you might want to upgrade your 'long distance' rig to a 6mm of some variant for really reaching out there and killing with authority....yup, it could be more expensive for you to keep the little gaffer.

You gotta try it first, at very least trade it off on something else so you don't feel so guilty about letting one go.