204 ruger

[maddysdad]

how do you like this round for ground hog hunting.also do you feel it is up to the tast for 300 yard humane kills on the chucks.

 

[RegionRat]

With the 40 Hornady or the 39 Sierra, you will not have any issues dispatching a ground hog at 300 yards.

With a muzzle velocity of say 3650, the 204R is arriving at 300 yards with roughly over 500 Ft*Lbs of energy at 2400 fps.

That velocity and energy level at 300 yards pops critters like GH, coyotes, and badgers easily.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Factory 40 gr vmax 675 ftp at 300 yards.

 

[JB10]

Im using 35gr bergers at 3,880 and not at max charge. I love the little round

 

[ohlongarmisle]

how do you like this round for ground hog hunting.also do you feel it is up to the tast for 300 yard humane kills on the chucks.

300 yards on about any varmint , chucks, coyotes, fox, bobcat,if you can shoot 400 is easily doable , be aware of bullet ballistics, high bc for anything over 300, I use a 26 grain Hornady out to 300, a laser never lost a thing.

 

[Bill K]

Heavens yes it is. I use the 32 grain Lead free Nosler, due to my states ban on lead bullets. Works just fine in taking them. My longest kill has been in the 400 yrd range. Most shots are under 300. With a average of around 200.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Heavens yes it is. I use the 32 grain Lead free Nosler, due to my states ban on lead bullets. Works just fine in taking them. My longest kill has been in the 400 yrd range. Most shots are under 300. With a average of around 200.

The 40 grain vmax will flat out buck the wind and get it done, BC of 0.275 a 500 yard shot is a deadly shot if you can hit the intended target.

 

[nakneker]

My Dad sold me my first 204 Ruger, a Remington LVSF. He claimed it was a coyote wounder, he had made three hits and had them run off 100-200 yards before expiring. That was contrary to what I had heard so I bought the rifle to see for myself. I took it out and used it heavily that winter, it certainly wasn’t a coyote wounder in sense of the word. 80% of the yotes I shot with a 40 grain Blitzking dropped like they had been electrocuted, I’m certainly not perfect and made a few bad shots but they still didn’t run far. It’s a wonderful cartridge, 300 yards on woodchucks is a no brainer. Like dumbbutt my brother now owns the rifle and won’t sell back…. I think he just likes teasing me for having a weak moment.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

My Dad sold me my first 204 Ruger, a Remington LVSF. He claimed it was a coyote wounder, he had made three hits and had them run off 100-200 yards before expiring. That was contrary to what I had heard so I bought the rifle to see for myself. I took it out and used it heavily that winter, it certainly wasn’t a coyote wounder in sense of the word. 80% of the yotes I shot with a 40 grain Blitzking dropped like they had been electrocuted, I’m certainly not perfect and made a few bad shots but they still didn’t run far. It’s a wonderful cartridge, 300 yards on woodchucks is a no brainer. Like dumbbutt my brother now owns the rifle and won’t sell back….

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I've taken a little north of 100 yotes with mine, farthest 412 yards lasered, Hornady 40 grain V-max a real thumper with excellent wind bucking capabilities. I've had a few spun and run scenarios but all were recovered within 100 yards easily. I sold my 22/250 because I never used it after getting the 204. Mine is a cheap Thompson Center Venture , but she sure can shoot, had the trigger done to break at 1lb professionally by Mcarbo in Florida. That rifle will never leave here.This one was head shot at 100 and the bullet a 26 grain Hornady exited half way down its body look you'll see.

 

[long40shot]

I've never shot a ground hog with my 204. But I can tell you it will tear a large p-dog apart at 300yds and in. The small p-dogs just seem to vanish.

 

[Alguapo]

204 is a hard hitter. You do your job and it will perform.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

204 is a hard hitter. You do your job and it will perform.

Last year I got to shoot a few deer, legally on a nuisance deer permit issued by the state. I used the 204 and killed 6 deer all antlerless only, no antlered deer can be taken. Shots were 100 to 200 yards on my post, I dropped everyone in their tracks DRT, with neck or spine shots. The Amish farmer was totally amazed as were the 5 other shooters.Just saying.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

how do you like this round for ground hog hunting.also do you feel it is up to the tast for 300 yard humane kills on the chucks.

I shoot rock chucks, lots of 'em. For inside of 200 yards I use my Anschutz 17HMR with head shots, out to 300 I use either my 221FB or 20VT, saving my 204's for work past 350 or so. So my point is, if something like the 221 Furball will really anchor a chuck at 300 yards, then by virtue of pure logic, the 204 will, without doubt 'humanely' kill chucks at 300 with its higher velocity and impact energy. (Seen it myself. )

The "Before" shot:



To illustrate:
Effects of the 221FB at 221 yards aiming for the nose while peeking at me from over a rock:



My Cooper M38 221FB shooting the Nosler 40gr BT right around 265 yards:



So use your 204 on chucks with complete confidence, but keep in mind shot placement is always the key.

'Nuff said?

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I shoot rock chucks, lots of 'em. For inside of 200 yards I use my Anschutz 17HMR with head shots, out to 300 I use either my 221FB or 20VT, saving my 204's for work past 350 or so. So my point is, if something like the 221 Furball will really anchor a chuck at 300 yards, then by virtue of pure logic, the 204 will, without doubt 'humanely' kill chucks at 300 with its higher velocity and impact energy. (Seen it myself. )

The "Before" shot:



To illustrate:
Effects of the 221FB at 221 yards aiming for the nose while peeking at me from over a rock:



My Cooper M38 221FB shooting the Nosler 40gr BT right around 265 yards:



So use your 204 on chucks with complete confidence, but keep in mind shot placement is always the key.

'Nuff said?

17 hornet in mouth ,two victims both at 100, and 128 yards respectively done.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I have shot lots of prairie dogs beyond 300 and it hits em hard. If you reload, consider 20 practical. About the same performance with a far better brass selection.