Anyone else shooting 204 Ruger?

[Slowshot]

I understand the attraction for the many different 20 cal rounds. Still, 204 Ruger is a fine little cartridge. The accuracy I have seen shooting my Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 204 Ruger (shooting inexpensive Fiocchi factory ammunition) so impressed me that I sold my CZ 527 (223 Rem.) during my latest purge of my gun safe. At any distance out to 300 yards, I get better accuracy with the 204 Ruger rifle than I ever got with the CZ in .223 Rem.

Oh and by the way, I bought the Ruger M77 Hawkeye simply because it was the only left handed rifle I could find at the time that came in 204 Ruger. No other reason. It was a risk that worked out fine.

I have loaded up a few rounds to try out. I loaded using basic middle of the road suggestions in my Lyman manual, so I still have a lot of work to do, to find the load that shoots best in my rifle.

Here is that rifle:

 

[jds holler]

I like the Hawkeye rifle. Just seems more solid and ummmmm, 77ish than the American.

And of course the 204 is a fine cartridge. Probably the one that got the whole 20 cal thing rolling. Of course most of us who reload, would choose one of the other 20's just because of the brass thing. And since you're loading for your 204, you will be able to really hit it's potential with different bullets and powders than factory loads provide. jd

 

[GLShooter]

The 204 is a hoot. I have a pair of CZs, a 700 and an AR. I also use the 20 PRAC and TAC in ARs and a REMAGE in 20 PRACTICAL. The smart man that wants factory ammo can't go wrong with the 204. It's all Todd Kindler's fault.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have 2 of the 204R, and 2 of the 20P's. Hard to say which one is more fun, most fun you can have with your clothes on. LOL

 

[Slowshot]

I like the Hawkeye rifle. Just seems more solid and ummmmm, 77ish than the American.

And of course the 204 is a fine cartridge. Probably the one that got the whole 20 cal thing rolling. Of course most of us who reload, would choose one of the other 20's just because of the brass thing. And since you're loading for your 204, you will be able to really hit it's potential with different bullets and powders than factory loads provide. jd

I am not sure what brass problem you are referring to. A quick search showed prepped Nosler 204 Ruger brass in 50 round boxes and 250 round lots of unprepped brass in stock right now at Natchez. As I prefer to prep my own brass, I am considering that.

I also noticed much less expensive Dogtown brass in 204 Ruger at Midway. Have any of you tried that brass?

 

[Alguapo]

I also have a2 204's and 2 20 practicals. the 20 cals are funtastic.

 

[JB10]

I love my 204 even though its a plain ruger predator. I also just got all my components to build a 20 practical

 

[brokeasajoke]

Rem VSSF II in .204R

 

[jpx2rk]

I tried the Dogtown brass, while it's ok, I would go with the Nosler brass, JMO. I use the Dogtown brass for foulers when doing load development. I have some Win brass, and while I have no complaints about it after the initial use, I lost about 10 cases out of 100 in the 2 or 3 bags I bought several years ago due to poorly formed shoulders straight out of the bag. Losing 10% of the new brass left a bad taste for me regarding Win brass. The brass that I was able to use has been fine.

 

[JSH]

When I got my first 204 years ago the fellow didn’t reload. I got a pile of brass and a couple of full cases of ammo a d some partials. The Fiocchi 204 ammo was great stuff in my rifle. I struggled to get the speed and accuracy it gave.
I am considering a new barrel this winter. Mine is showing more flyers any more.

 

[SecretCode]

Two .204's here. Both Savage's. The 20's are so fun. Seeing hits on varmints and little black holes appear on paper is just too much fun for me. A practical and vartarg are on the the list of wants eventually.

 

[Nantan]

Been shooting a .204 in a Ruger M77 heavy barrel for years now. Super explosive on P-dogs with the 32 grain V-Max at 3800 FPS. Loved it so much a bought an AR upper in .204. It's great for a quick follow up shot when you get into a large P-dog town.

 

[max evans]

how about a 204 Ruger in a Ruger 1, that even better

 

[17VLD]

Two X.R.100s and a 1B here.
What amazes me is that the 40 VMax factory load shoots amazing in the Remington rifles with a 12 twist at sea level.I happened to try it since I had a box left over from Colorado days and it worked. Normally I reload the 12 twists with 32s. Love the 204 and all my 20 caliber wildcats, I hope one day we see another factory 20 caliber. Perhaps Hornady will create a 20 ARC with a faster twist for the AR coyote hunters not that I need that or want it I would just like to see some more support for the 20 caliber and especially a 20 cal ELD-VT.
Enjoy your 204, it’s a nice one.

 

[Matt_3479]

I shot 2 different 204’s for a few years. It’s a great caliber. I sold one to my dad, and the only reason I got rid of the other was I bought it and a semi custom 20 tac at the same time. The better brass options for the tac is what made me keep it. Both were very accurate, both were great. But the better brass for some other 20’s are the selling feature for reloaders. More options, better quality goes a long way in reloading.

 

[mr45man]

The wife shoots a CZ with set trigger. It will shoot cloverleaf"s at 100 .

 

[Bill K]

I have two CZ's in 204R. Fine cartridge and it goes well with my 20 SCC, 20-223AI, 20VT and is used in turn, while others are cooling in a pivot area and plenty of squeeks.
And they do make fine walk about yote calling rifles.

 

[3Ackleys]

I have a Rem Varmint laminated in 204. Great shooter with Norma brass and Sierra 39 gr.

 

[Slowshot]

When I got my first 204 years ago the fellow didn’t reload. I got a pile of brass and a couple of full cases of ammo a d some partials. The Fiocchi 204 ammo was great stuff in my rifle. I struggled to get the speed and accuracy it gave.
I am considering a new barrel this winter. Mine is showing more flyers any more.

Well that gives me reason to pause. While I am getting decent results with Fiocchi ammunition in my 204 rifle, I had hoped to get a lot better with load testing and load development. Have you been reusing the Fiocchi brass? If so, any significant results to report?

 

[Hippy]

1st one I owned was a Remington XR-100 re-chambered it to the 20 Practical because of the brass issue & I had 500 rounds of lapua 223 brass unfortunately a THIEF relieved me of it.
It took 3 years to find a replacement XR-100 left it as a 204 both of these rifles REFUSED to shoot the 40 gr V_MAX but shot the 39 SBK into less than 1/2 " with either H-4895 or Benchmark.
Fast forward to 2023 found a 700 VTR in 204 have not had the chance to shoot it yet hoping it does as good as the others
Up until the 20 cal I was a DIE HARD 22 cal man the 204 has replaced them as far as varmint calibers

Jim