can a 204 shoot 1000yr?

[biglonnie204]

I have a savage model 12. I shoot hornady 32gr vmax, its the only
ammo ill shoot but, can the 204 shoot 1000yr with accuracy?

 

[acloco]

Doubt it. Gravity and any wind will toss the 32 around and it will fall out of super sonic faster than a heavier bullet.

 

[memilanuk]

Lonnie,

Run the numbers thru a ballistics calculator like JBM. I don't know what the bullet actually clocks from your particular rifle - Hornady lists the 32gr VMax load @ 4225.

I ran the numbers for a 32gr VMax @ 4200, and it shows the bullet as going subsonic before 800yds, given standard atmo conditions,which can vary wildly from any individual locale).

Hornady also lists the 40gr VMax @ 3900... running the numbers for *that* combination... it gets awful close, about 100fps below the speed of sound @ 1kyds, but it still doesn't quite make it.

It looks like you'd have to exceed the published velocities by a substantial amount to actually make it to 1k and stay supersonic. Most competitors like to keep their bullets several hundred feet per second *above* the speed of sound, keeping it out of the turbulent transsonic region around the speed of sound.

Maybe there is some specialty bullet in .204 caliber that has a high enough BC to hang on to 1k, or some combination of powder, etc. that would help out. Maybe someone who has one can regale us with tails of golf-ball sized groups @ 1000+yds... lord knows the .204 is supposed to be the ultimate dragon slayer round

 

[chuckw2]

Not even close, it is a marginal, very marginal 600 yard round for very small game...

 

[TEAMKIESS]

Cousin Ray, I know you frequent this forum, care to make a comment? Mike

 

[rayfromtx]

It can be done in the summer in Denver. My calculator says it will be supersonic at 1000 yards if it is a 40 grain berger at 4000 fps at 80 degrees f. at 4000 feet of elevation. Drop to sea level and you're good for only 800 yards or so.

The 204 dragonslayer should really be kept down around 500-600 yards max to avoid the laughing dragon syndrome.

 

[65fan]

i saw someone shoot at williamsport with a 17mach 5.all 10 hit the target.the group wasn't half bad ether.:crazy::lol:

 

[Craigyboy]

if you ca lauch a 50g beregr at 4000 fps it will just about keep above the speed of sound at 1000 yards, only just and the cartridge to do it would be the 20 satan. I have heard A rumour that Hornady may be bringing out a 65g v-max in .204 not sure if its true but if so it would probable do it provided you could get it going fast enough.

 

[Rodbolt]

The 39gr. Sierra Blitzking has the best BC for a .204 Ruger. Though it starts slower then a 32gr by 300 yards its going faster and with a BC of 287,from memory) it will out run the Berger, BT and V-Max. Still not a 1000 yard cartridge though.

 

[gube]

Just ordered some 38 grn cup base ultra low drag and some 48 gr rebated boat tails from wildcat bullets for my 204's. Can't wait to try them out. The BC's should be quite a bit higher than the 39 gr sierra blitz king with a stronger jacket for yotes
http://wildcatbullets.homestead.com/

 

[Tommie]

I didn't see .204" bullets listed on the website. Are these special-order only?

Tom

 

[CatShooter]

The 39gr. Sierra Blitzking has the best BC for a .204 Ruger. Though it starts slower then a 32gr by 300 yards its going faster and with a BC of 287,from memory) it will out run the Berger, BT and V-Max. Still not a 1000 yard cartridge though.

"... it will out run the Berger, BT and V-Max."

Not hardly. I won't speak for the Berger... but the 40gr V-Max has a much higher BC than the 39 gr BlitzKing.

Hornady BC numbers are not directly comparable to the Sierra numbers. The two companies use different methods to get BCs.

Sierra BCs must fit their program,which has a LOT of faults), so the numbers are constantly adjusted until their program gives approximations of actual flight. The Sierra will not give accurate tracking with BCs from other companies bullets.

Hold a 40gr V-Max and a 39gr BK in your hand together, and it will be obvious.

-

Can a 204 shoot to 1,000 yds...
... sure, but it won't do much when it gets there, except maybe give a PD a tummy ache.


.

 

[gube]

I didn't see .204" bullets listed on the website. Are these special-order only?

Tom

Richard hasn't updated his web site yet. Just send him an E-mail and he'll let you know what he's got. He has future plans on making the 20 cal bullets from 26 gr on up to 50'ish.
Probably don't want to wait to long, cause once spring starts, he will be busy with his farm with spring seeding.