Can you best a 204 PD Gun

[Phil]

I run switch barrels on all my actions.

The beauty is the 204 is available for those who want to shoot it.

I shoot a .20-223AI and a .20 PPC, among others, so my 204 went away.


Phil.

 

[ShootDots]

I have shot .22 Mags, .223's, .22-250's, .220 Swifts and a .257A.I. They all work very well, especially the Swift. However, if I were to do it again, I would seriously consider a .22 Dasher with a 7.5 twist shooting 75Gr A-Maxs. I would also make sure I had a GOOD muzzle brake on it>> I want to SEE where I am hitting if possible.

 

[Phil]

Ben,

I have an 8 twist Brux for the exact same project, waiting on the new brass to arrive to see how hard the pockets are going to be, i might make brass from Lapua.......


Phil.

 

[ShootDots]

Ben,

I have an 8 twist Brux for the exact same project, waiting on the new brass to arrive to see how hard the pockets are going to be, i might make brass from Lapua.......


Phil.

Hello Phil.. I tried with a .22-250 and an 8 twist to shoot the 75 A-Maxs and found it needed a bit faster twist to properly stabilize. I abandoned the A-Maxs in favor of the Berger 75gr VLD. Why the A-Max needed a faster twist and the Berger 75gr VLD did not is a mystery. That is why I would opt for the 7.5 twist. But I believe the .22 Dasher would be at the pinnacle of Prairie Dog cartridges with HIGH B.C. projectiles. I think you are making a very wise choice!

 

[JORTZ]

Thats about all i shoot for varmints is a savage 12 204 with factory rounds.
If reloading i love my 20vt for pd

 

[anrew]

The 204 is just outstanding. Got 4 204 A.I they all shoot. My second choice is 6 dasher with a 87 vmax. All guns weight about 25 pounds. All have 1.250 strait barrels with velocity 1000 scopes. Cant wait to try them with silencers.

 

[Phil]

Hello Phil.. I tried with a .22-250 and an 8 twist to shoot the 75 A-Maxs and found it needed a bit faster twist to properly stabilize. I abandoned the A-Maxs in favor of the Berger 75gr VLD. Why the A-Max needed a faster twist and the Berger 75gr VLD did not is a mystery. That is why I would opt for the 7.5 twist. But I believe the .22 Dasher would be at the pinnacle of Prairie Dog cartridges with HIGH B.C. projectiles. I think you are making a very wise choice!

Interesting.....

There have been a lot of people who used the 8 twist with the 75 Amax with no problems, I suspect that barrel just didn`t like the 75...

We`ll just have to wait and see, keep me posted to your progress, I`m always interested in similar projects.

Phil.

 

[ShootDots]

Interesting.....

There have been a lot of people who used the 8 twist with the 75 Amax with no problems, I suspect that barrel just didn`t like the 75...

We`ll just have to wait and see, keep me posted to your progress, I`m always interested in similar projects.

Phil.

Oh no Phil.. I am not doing the project. I was just stating that IF I were to do another Prairie Dog rifle, that would be it. But I am "burned out" of "P'Doggin"! LOL!!

 

[Phil]

Oh no Phil.. I am not doing the project. I was just stating that IF I were to do another Prairie Dog rifle, that would be it. But I am "burned out" of "P'Doggin"! LOL!!

LOL......Not MEEEEE.........................

 

[dogreaper65]

During my 17 years worth of trips PD trips (often twice/year) I have shot many different cartridges from 22LR up to 7STW. They all, in my mind, have a purpose. When the wind is up or the PDs are hesitant to get close I use the 22-250. I believe there is no better PD round out there as a general nuisance to the PD population. While in years past I shot the 17HMR when riding the two-tracks I now rely on my CZ custom barreled to 17AH. Way more pop than the HMR but, if I had it to do over, that would be a 17 Hornady Hornet. Lately, I've taken a much more "tactical" approach to the roadway sniping; an AR15 SBR with a suppressor! Now back to topic; I do own a 204 Ruger and have a stockpile of ammo and brass. It has accounted for numerous PD and even one at a verified 820 yards in WY. Still, I just can't warm up to it. As a matter of fact I have been considering selling off the barrel, brass and ammo. My vote would be, as mentioned by others, a 223AI. Stoke it hot and launch 40 grain vmax; that will fit your desires and bring a smile to your face.

Shoot4fun, if you do decided to sell off your .204 brass/bullets keep me in mind please good sir I will buy all of it! Thanks

 

[mikeinct]

Humm Not A 6MMBR guy in the crowd...Ten years ago guys were trying to figure out how to get enough brass to shoot P-Dogs w the 6mmbr...The 204 is nice...I built a tac 20 a dozen years ago..It is a solid 500M proposition...I'll tell you guys this..it does not matter which caliber you choose..Getting enough high quality brass in the quantity needed for your rifle is a chore...I take three guns/calibers on GH safaris..Mike in Ct

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Humm Not A 6MMBR guy in the crowd...Ten years ago guys were trying to figure out how to get enough brass to shoot P-Dogs w the 6mmbr...The 204 is nice...I built a tac 20 a dozen years ago..It is a solid 500M proposition...I'll tell you guys this..it does not matter which caliber you choose..Getting enough high quality brass in the quantity needed for your rifle is a chore...I take three guns/calibers on GH safaris..Mike in Ct

I bought 1,100 pcs of 6mmBR with my rifle - it is a 0.262 neck and neck turning 1,100 necks really sucked .
I converted my 204 into a 20 Tac because of the availability of Lake City cases.

 

[Greyfox]

I'll be shooting in SD and MT in a little over a week. The tools include a 20VT, 20-223AI, 20 Practical, 204 Ruger, 2 - 223AIs and a 222 Rem Mag AI. I love all the twenties, but if I had to pare it down to one rifle and caliber it would be the 223AI with a 1-14" twist. I only shoot 40gr bullets and get near 4000 fps. Brass is inexpensive and 400 yd shots aren't all that difficult. I don't bother with anything further. Sight in 2" high @ 100 and hold on fur out to 400.

Rick

 

[Phil]

I'll be shooting in SD and MT in a little over a week. The tools include a 20VT, 20-223AI, 20 Practical, 204 Ruger, 2 - 223AIs and a 222 Rem Mag AI. I love all the twenties, but if I had to pare it down to one rifle and caliber it would be the 223AI with a 1-14" twist. I only shoot 40gr bullets and get near 4000 fps. Brass is inexpensive and 400 yd shots aren't all that difficult. I don't bother with anything further. Sight in 2" high @ 100 and hold on fur out to 400.

Rick

Rick,

I like your line up.......

Phil.

 

[SmokinJoe]

My array of PD rifles includes 22 K-Hornet, 221FB, 20VT, 20-221FB AI,20TAC, 20-223AI, 223 & 223AI. After working with all of these, my personal PD rifles are now 20-221FB AI, 20VT & 20-223AI in that order. There's nothing wrong with the others, including 204R, but I'm getting the best combination of accuracy & performance out my 3 favorites. I've also got 6mm rifles from 6BR up to 243AI, but never shoot them anymore. If we ever go somewhere that offers long range PD shooting, I'll get the 6mm's out & take them, but having the most fun with the 20's out to 400+. It really comes down to what you like best for your particular shooting situation.

 

[P72]

Only with extreme difficulty and a consideration for that would be the availability of huge volumes of cheap brass making the .20 Practical a contender. I like once fired .223 RWS brass.

A 7 gun operation against rodents sounds serious. Reading this my on coming PD shoot will have a: .20P, .204R, .22-250 (2), & .243. 80 % of the ammo packed will be .20's. I hope to knock off some at 600 yards plus with 70 gr. .224 Berger's and 95 gr. .243 Sierra tipped MK. But at temps over 90 degrees shooting those will go at a slow pace.

 

[Cakes]

20 practical, .223 AI, but my favorites are my 6 Hagar and 6 AR T40 both shooting 87 v-max which offers a descent BC along with velocity for those many windy days. Up close, use the Annie or 10-22 with subsonic hp's.....all these suppressed. It's soooo nice to carry on a conversation with your shootin buddies and no ear muffs! Our most recent trip, the 3 rimfires killed more dogs than all our centerfires combined. Not many flippers with the .22, just "turn their switch off"! Eric in DL

 

[4xforfun]

I have always been in the LR camp......big, long ,heavy, and slow. I always bring along 200 fire form loads for my dasher loaded with 105 Berger BT's. A Dasher with 105 Hybrids. My 6-47L with 108 Berger BT's, and my 264 WSSM loaded with 140 Hybrids. I also bring along various 300 Weatherbys and my 338 Edge just in case I get a chance to do the mile thing.

BUT.....I am going to add a slower twist 20 or 22 cal to shoot the lighter bullets at shorter distances. Call me blood thirsty, but I just don't get the carnage with the heavys as others do with the lighter, faster pills at closer ranges.

Good luck,
Tod

 

[Midnightmedic]

I have always been in the LR camp......big, long ,heavy, and slow. I always bring along 200 fire form loads for my dasher loaded with 105 Berger BT's. A Dasher with 105 Hybrids. My 6-47L with 108 Berger BT's, and my 264 WSSM loaded with 140 Hybrids. I also bring along various 300 Weatherbys and my 338 Edge just in case I get a chance to do the mile thing.

BUT.....I am going to add a slower twist 20 or 22 cal to shoot the lighter bullets at shorter distances. Call me blood thirsty, but I just don't get the carnage with the heavys as others do with the lighter, faster pills at closer ranges.

Good luck,
Tod

You want carnage, load up a few 110gr vmax in that 300 weatherby !!!! Your 20, 22 cal buddies will hang there heads when you start launching dogs 10+ feet into the air. Don't need to see impact in scope. Pull trigger, sit back, take sip of beverage and watch parts of p-dog fall back to earth !!!!

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have killed tons with a 17 HMR... 222 Rem also.. Rarely shoot my 204. 22 Hornet when the urge hits