I can tell you that I shoot a Savage Model 12 vlp .204 Ruger. I am running 39 Gr Sierra blitzkings at just over 3700 fps. out of the muzzle and I have taken Woodchucks past 400 yards and it devastates them. I have also taken prairie dogs out past 500 yards with this rifle. I am running 26.8 Gr. Of Varget and they are devastating on anything they hit. Coyotes take the "lead plunge" out as far as 400 yards too. Don't underestimate this little round, IT ROCKS. I also shoot a 22-250 w/ 50gr. ballistic tips and they have there place too. You wouldn't be disappointed with either round. The 204 is a bit more expensive to shoot if you are buying factory ammo, but it delivers a hell of a giggle when you see the impact. Trust me....
204 ruger
- Thread starter maddysdad
- Start date
The 204 ruger will Amaze you what it can do.I shoot the 39 Blitz king 3750-3840 fps,40 v-max at 3700 to 3800 fps.I belong to 2 Long Range Rifle Clubs,i shoot steel plates to 650 yds w/ Blitz Kings,and if the wind is less than 10 mph I shoot the 40 grain V- Max out to 1000 yards out of 26" barrels. The cost to reload a box of 20, 40 v-max for me is $6.30. the Blitz King cost $7.50,I,m going to reduce the cost of the B.K. by purchaseing Factory Seconds.Just like RPR 6.5 slave said you will be Super Happy w a 204 RUGER.
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
I shot the barrel outa mine. New barrel coming in 20 Practical..
Was out shooting with my dad yesterday he has a 204 I have a 20 practical his factory Savage outshot my 20 practical on the first day out of course I'm not even started with my load development yet but that little bugger shot well under half an inch easy. Moved out to the 400-yard steel and you could bang it almost every time easy even with a touch of wind.
Yep, and at X-mas I picked up a Sav. Axis in .30-06 that even with out rebate it was being given away. The Axis is going to be a dedicated cast bullet trainer. So I have my three rifles.
Lots of options with the Savage line, It's the best budget for someone like myself to begin with. Even though I have had a target action in .308 and sold it to get the same set up in 6mmBR.
To me, they're just fun to tinker with. Change a barrel, stock, trigger... and if it doesn't shoot, tear it down and start over.
That 204 from Cabela's is the first new Savage that I've bought in about 6 years.
I have two .204 Rugers, both have 1-11 twist barrels. I only use 40 Vmax bullets. A favorite powder is IMR 8208 and H 223 CFE is a close second. Both are effective on rodents up to 400 yards plus. One has a 22 inch barrel, used when I got to lug it around, the other a 26 inch barrel, nice to spot hits. I have never used the 39 Sierra BK but if it is shorter than the 40 VMax it might be better in a 1-12 twist rifle.
The ballistic stuff (not energy) with the .204 R with 40 Vmax's is real close to the .22-250 with 53 Vmax's.
The .204 is cheap to shoot and gives reasonably good barrel life. I really like it.
The ballistic stuff (not energy) with the .204 R with 40 Vmax's is real close to the .22-250 with 53 Vmax's.
The .204 is cheap to shoot and gives reasonably good barrel life. I really like it.
I built a 204Ruger last year. Encore with 24" SS fluted MGM barrel with 1-10 twist, 2.5lb trigger Bushell 4500 scope. Using H4985 with 39gr SBK, choot under 3/8". I tried the 45gr Hornady SP with H4895, chootem better, but Hornady is discontinuing them, I found some brought two boxes. I like mine done PD, couple of coyotes, several jacks. No crows yet.
most savge 12 fv's ,12 twist,shoot the 40 grainers fine.
Mark M.
Silver $$ Contributor
To the OP: The 204R will do what your friend wants, period. Of course there's other calibers that will do it also, but you asked if the 204R would do it, and the answer is "yes". She's a real beauty
I shoot everything from the 17 CF's to the 6mm's, and for just rat popping, the 204 will do it well. Hell, I shoot rock chucks with my 20VT out to 300 yards, and it could be considered a "204 Short", so the 204 with a bit more horsepower does it just a mite better.
Rock chucks with a 20VT? Sure....
You can get more muzzle blast, more recoil, and NOT see your shots/hits with other more potent calibers if wanted, but for the pure pleasure of seeing all your hits with laser-flat trajectory with almost no recoil, well then, the 204R would be perfect for your chuck shooting friend. JME
17VLD
Gold $$ Contributor
It depends a bit on altitude,I have shot 50 Berger’s in South Dakota from a 20 BR 12 twist and hit the 500 yard balloons,to answer your question 40 V-Max’s are probably the longest 40 available from the commercial suppliers that will work well for you.Some of the custom makers like BlackHole and Badger Bob offer weights around 45-46 that a 204 with an 11 twist should be able to work with nicely.
Matt
Matt
17VLD
Gold $$ Contributor
I remember when the Hornady 40 V-Max was the best 40 grain class 20 caliber bullet with a b.c. of .275,after reading your post I just checked and the Sierra 39 is listed at .287.I used the 39 BlitzKing to get in the 500 yard club with couple of dead pd’s at 500 yards plus and have always thought it was second best to the Hornady as far as b.c. went,live and learn.I wonder if I am remembering specifications from back in the day when the Sierra 20s were new.Of course Sierra does list different b.c.s for different velocities,maybe what I am remembering was an average,thanks for the heads up.With definitely be trying the Sierra 39s in my new to me X-R100s in 204.
Matt
Heaviest would be the custom 45--46 grain bullets,You need A Lot faster twist for 50 grain bullets,Berger Quit making 50 grain bullets.Think Hornady is ending the 45 gr SP.You can load the 45's to around 3650 fps
As far as I remember the 39gr blitzkings have been the best bc until you step up into the 50-55’s. But if your coyote hunting the blitzkings can be hit or miss. I haven’t lost a coyote yet but have had a few less then stellar performances! They just shoot so good in my rifle. I picked up a box of 35gr Berger’s to test out this year. Terrible bc but read excellent performance. Will load up the 35gr for shots 250 and closer and 250 and beyond will shoot the 39’s as long as point of impact is close.
Order some 46.5 grain rebated base bullets from Badger Bob, he posts on this site and is a member. They are super in the 20 calibers with a 1/11 twist or even somewhat faster.
They work well in my 204R, 20-223AR and 20 Tac.
LarryDScott
Site $$ Sponsor
The 204 will do anything the 22-250 will do GH hunting.
Not to mention less recoil will let you see your hits. The
20 caliber family is a remarkable discovery. Dont sell
any of them short.
Killing shots w/any caliber is about shot placement. I have killed many w/a 25-06, but have had some crawl off because of a mis- placed shot. LDS
Not to mention less recoil will let you see your hits. The
20 caliber family is a remarkable discovery. Dont sell
any of them short.
Killing shots w/any caliber is about shot placement. I have killed many w/a 25-06, but have had some crawl off because of a mis- placed shot. LDS
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