204 Rifle and Scope Research

[Matt]

I have been researching a 200-500yd ground squirrel gun for over a month now. I have decided on a 204 ruger because I can't find a way to afford a 20 tac. I have looked at every factory rifle I could find in 204 and have narrowed my choice down to the Rem 700 VLS because of its stock, action, price,$830) rebarreling possibilities and reputation. I am also considering the savage model 25 varminter because I like the stock, have read some good things about their new trigger, and its cheaper than the Model 12,$550.) As far as the scope goes, I have not found one that I like yet. I have a nikon buckmaster on my .17 with mil dots. I would like a similar system for my 204 but would like thin lines or smaller dots. I have read pintopete's post and enjoy what everone had to say. I think my budget and use of the gun may differ. I would value any advise, thank you.

 

[jb77]

Matt how much do you want to spend on your scope?

I have been hearing very good things about the Sightron scopes, they aren't cheap but won't break your bank either.

Good luck.

 

[alf]

All my prairie dog guns wear the Leupold 4.5-14 Long Range
with the Varmint Hunters reticle.
Can't find anything else I'd rather have.

Al.

 

[Matt]

I would rather not spend more than $500. I'll look at the Sightron scopes. Thank you

 

[Obtunded]

I applaud your choice of the 204 Ruger, it is an outstanding varmint cartridge and I have shot thousands of 204 rounds in the past 3 years.

I'm of the opinion that it takes a wealthy man to buy cheap scopes, but there is one notable exception to the rule that I have found and that is Mueller scopes, in particular their "Eraticator" line. I own Nightforce and Leupold scopes for F-class competition, but my 700 ADL has an 8.5-25X50 Mueller Eraticator on it, and it is superb.

FWIW, factory twists seem to favor the 32 grain bullets.

 

[Talon1959]

My rig is a Savage 11 in .204 Ruger. It will shoot 1" with Hornady 40 grain V-max's. I have a 6-18 Bushnell Trophy that really suprised me in quality and clarity for $130,E-bay).

The 6-18 is a little too much magnification for the places I hunt, as my shots on yotes rarely go beyond 150 yards, but the price was right.

I am a big fan of the .204 FO-SHO.

 

[MrMister]

What a conscience, I'm selling one! A step up from the VLS but in the price range.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=2559839

As for glass I agree with Alf, the Leupold 4.5x14 is a nice scope. I use that on my 300 Win Mag. The 204 above has a 6x20 Leupold witch is big $$$ but nice.

Mueller scopes are ok too for the money but for a few dollars more you could move up to a Nikon Buckmaster 6x18. Much nicer glass in my opinion.

 

[CJ6]

Check out Burris Sig.select with the Bal Mil dot or Bal plex recticles they should be in your price range,and the recticles are great as are the optics

 

[CIA]

I like the Bausch/Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24 with the dot. I do a lot of elevation changes and so far have no problems.

 

[acloco]

I own four of these:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/40176-48004-1539.html


Mounted on 204 Ruger, 223, 223 AI, & 243.

 

[antelopehunter]

I like the Nikon Monarch and have two: 6.5 X 20 X 44 . I have one with a fine cross hair on a Cooper in .204 and one with the Nikko-plex reticle on a Savage Model 12 in .22-250. I think they are a fine scope and a great value for the money and they stack up well against the Leupold.

 

[Matt]

WOW, this forum is really great, thanks for all the advise. I decided on the Rem 700 vls and have not decided on a scope. I have been trying to find shops that have the scopes mentioned here so I can have a closer look. I'm haven a look at bipods too. thanks

 

[jb77]

Matt I just bought a VLS in 22-250 and like it alot. I've only had one range session with it and with some reloads for another rifle it shot groups a tad over a half inch.

I just put a Rifle Basix trigger in it and it should help a little. Can't wait to get back to the range.

Good luck with your search for a scope.

 

[Quigley284]

Matt, I bought a Remington XR-100 last year chambered for the 204 ruger. It is the most accurate factory rifle I have ever owned. They come with a 40X trigger which is also nice. It shot 3 different loads just above .250 with the Sierra 39 blitz king. It has a Leupold 6x18 on for a scope. Mike

 

[Ackman]

Groundsquirrels are really dumb and 200yds is a long shot for one of those things. I've barely missed them with the muzzle of a rifle and actually did nail one with a golf club, a driver. They're also pretty small.....have you ever ranged one at 500yds? They're hard to even see. At that distance and especially if there's wind, it'll be a lot more shooting than hitting. You'll at least want a scope with some power. Forget 12X or 14X, it's just not enough. Your gun won't recoil much and you can use lots of power without losing sight picture. So get a scope that goes to at least 20X and 24X is even better. I use that much power all the time even on rockchucks that are comparatively huge and only a couple 100 yds away. Guaranteed, it's not too much power for groundsquirrels and you can always turn it back for the 50yd shots. Also don't mess with a mildot reticle...... get something with fine plex, fine crosshairs, or very small target dot. Mildot reticles aren't designed for squirrel-sized targets and would be would be a real poor choice for what you want, especially with a scope that only went to 14 or 16X. Out there at further distance, mildots will completely cover a groundsquirrel. Go look through one and see how much area the dot covers at true 400 or 500yds, then imagine how big a squirrel would be.

 

[Matt]

I decided to go with the Mueller 4-16 mil dot scope. For the money I think it is a good buy. I've shot thousands of ground squirrels in my life but never over 200 yds. I had many targets out to 350 yds and shot 80%. I'm very happy with my gun and need a little more time to decide on the scope. I also shot gallon jugs of water to 650 yds, lots of fun. The .204 is a fun gun, I was shocked at how flat it shoots. Its odd but the most accurate bullet seating depth is .150 off the lands. The only thing that has me a bit bewildered is in one situation the point of impact was about a foot higher than I thought it should be. Could this be because of 15 - 20 mph wind blowing right to left? Thanks for all the help, it is much appreciated.

 

[Craiger5658]

Matt,
Not sure that you haven't made your scope decision already, but I've got Leupold scopes on all my varmint rigs and couldn't be happier. I have two .204's, one with a 6.5x20x50,30mm and varmint reticle) and the other has the 8.5x25x50,30mm and varmint reticle). My .17 HMR has the 4.5x14x40,30mm and Varmint Reticle). I guess you can see the pattern here by now. The Varmint Reticle is the bomb as it negates having to make turret adjustments for range or windage. And the side focus is also extremely handy when shooting near/far. I've got a Weaver V-16 on my .223 with an A/O and it nice, but not in the same league. Of course, none of the Leupolds are cheap, but I figure you get what you pay for. They are ultra clear and you get more light in with the 50mm objective and the 30mm body.

So there you have my opinion on your situation, good luck with your choice.

 

[skeetlee]

i have a nib sightron s2 4.5x14x42 that i will sell for 300 shipped, lee gleegardner@mchsi.com

 

[fireball10x]

I just bought a nikon buckmaster 6-18 SF and it it really clear great scope for the money and adjusts great with real positive 1/8 th click really surprized at the quality and they give you tactical knobs and sunshade.I just put it on my 204 CZ varmint and it tracks great,it has the bdc retical that i'll never use wish i got the target crosshair with a dot the bdc is a little thick but not bad for woodchucks.I bought it new on ebay for 265.Try one I think you'll like it.