204 Ruger for Benchrest

[sgreen3]

Would 204 Ruger be a good cartridge for 100-200yrd bench rest shooting? I don't plan to do any real serious competition just some local stuff. I have a good friend that has a brand new Shilen barrel that would work on my Stevens' 200 action and could get it very reasonable on price is why I was considering the caliber. I currently shoot 223 and just want something a little more accurate than it is. But not looking for the recoil like what I get shooting my 308 bench gun. Any help would be appreciated thank you.

 

[Waskawood]

I am going to sound like a politician here but I will say this any way. No it is not. You will not compete against the PPC's and the like. BUT, it is what you have so go for it. Shoot it and learn. Do not get down on yourself when you do not win. Compete against yourself. Tweak your loads to make them better and learn the proper skills as you go. I guarantee you will invest in a more accurate round in the future. Enjoy the sport, it is an awesome one. Who knows you may even prove me wrong. It wouldn't be the first time!!

 

[sgreen3]

I honestly am just looking to get into it, so although winning a match would be nice if I don't Im not gonna be to upset about it, lol. Im mostly just looking to have some fun and get into it.

 

[Waskawood]

You will have a great time and welcome to the forum.

 

[RonS]

sg3, are you reloading your 223? If so, why not try the 20 Practical, neck down the 223, load and shoot. I built one on a Savage action with a Shilen barrel and it shoots very well for what it is. I use once fired LC range brass and I have a set of 223 Type-S dies I use to form my brass. For me, accuracy is better and more consistent than my 223 and its cheaper to shoot too. I use it for the same purpose as you. I have a 264 & 6BR bench gun that I don't want to shoot at 100-200 yard local club matches that only account for bragging rights. And the 40-50gr bullets do get there respect when they come out to play. Good luck with your build and have fun with it.

 

[sgreen3]

Thanks for the reply RON. Yes I do reload my 223 as well as 308. Like I mentioned the reasoning behind the .204 choice was that I can get into a real nice barrel for not a lot of money. But you hit the nail on the head about what Im going to be doing. Its really nothing more than for bragging rights what they do there. But maybe one day get into one of the more higher end BR calibers.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

The 204 is a very capable varmit round...A little searching for custom target bullets along with powder and seating depth adjustments will give plenty of club matches a run for the money..As long as you are in it for the fun ok...Later if you want to upgrade you will have match experience under your belt...LT

 

[RonS]

You're welcome, I too originally considered the 204 Ruger but once I read the article on this site about the 20 Practical I had no problem making up my mind, it just made good sense. I worked up two loads for mine a light load for target and a grenade launcher for varmint. Both loads allow me to see my hits.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I don't plan to do any "real serious compitition"? You may find that the .204 can be pretty accurate so with that in mind, I would go for it.
And the fact that it's a Savage, if it turns out not to be as accurate as you would like, spin the barrel off and go to another caliber.
You're in it for the fun so you'll never know till you try. ;D
And something else to consider. If it doesn't work out to your expectations, you can always shorten the .204 chamber, add a few more threads and you would end up with a 20 VT. No recoil to speak of and deadly accurate.
Remember, it's a Savage and it can be just about anything you can think of. 8)

 

[sgreen3]

Ha ha that's about the truth Mikie, Gotta love the way a Savage is built. Id really like to go with the 6PPC but that's a little out of the question as of now. So Like was mentioned I may just try the 204 an just see how it does. Thanks for the advice fellas

 

[sgreen3]

I would actually just shoot 223 since I already load for it, but the thin sporter barrel heats up just way to much. There would be no way I could shoot a whole match with those guys, lol

 

[sgreen3]

One quick question though, if I do go with the 204 will it use the same size bolt head as the current 223? Im thinking it does but better ask to be sure.

 

[Waskawood]

Same bolt face. I gained a new found respect for the 204 shooting prairie dogs this year. Put it together and enjoy. The biggest problem is seeing the holes at 200 yards. But then I am old as dirt.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Seeing the holes at 200+ yards? Got nothing to do with being old as dirt. 20 caliber are tough to see at any distance. Go fixed or high power scope. 32 works but I like a fixed 36 even better. 8)

 

[sgreen3]

I have a 16x super sniper, but may have to get something a little bigger then, lol. I know I can see the 308 hits out pretty far with my 16x I have on it, but Id say the 20cal would be a little tougher. Yea I think I may just go with the 204, if not for the 200yrd stuff would you guys recommend the 6PPC?

 

[Waskawood]

There is no doubt the PPC is is tops for 100-200 benchrest but remember you have to fireform brass and possibbly turns necks. I would shoot the 204 til the bug bites you hard to do something else.

 

[NorCalMikie]

6PPC would require a different bolt head. No biggie! Lots of brass prep. .204 takes the same bolt head as the .223 and no brass formimg. Makes it real easy. Spin on the .204 barrel, set the head space and go shooting. Don't like the .204? Spin on another barrel and bolt head if needed and you've got another rifle. You've probably guessed I'am a Savage fan. 8)
20 VT, 20 VT "short", .221 Fireball, .223, 22 BR, 6BR, 6.8 BR Wildcat, 6.8 SPC, and a few others. Bolt heads and barrels and you can go crazy swaping calibers. Single feed and no worries about mag feeding.
Pull the ejector rods and springs from the bolt head and you don't chase brass and no feeding issues with short brass like the VT or Fireball. The brass stays on the bolt head till you pick it off. Snug headspace and you get longer brass life by not over working it.

 

[sgreen3]

Thanks fellas. Don't feel alone Mikie Im a Savage nut myself . I think you guys are right though, I don't really want to get into the crazy brass prep right now. I guess that would be one of the positives on the .204. An Im sure I cant have a lot of fun out of this cartridge.

 

[JASmith]

The concerns about case prep for 20 PPC can be alleviated if one goes with the 20 Grendel: http://shootersnotes.com/articles/20-grendel/.

The chamber is designed to accept no-turn necks using 6.5 Grendel brass necked down in a 6 mm PPC full-length sizing die as the forming die and then through the 20 Grendel full-length die.

PPC Bolt heads are easy to implement in your Savage and you can go with heavy bullets (55 & 60 gr) if you have a 1-8" twist barrel. These will do a very good job of bucking the wind when you decide to reach out further!

 

[sgreen3]

Yea I think for the time being I will be served quite well with the .204. Perhaps next year Ill step up to one of the more serious BR calibers if I decide to get into some serious competition. I did find out today from one of the other shooters that has been shooting there with them said that most of the guys there were using 223 guns.