Hard to beat a good 204

[Chris Shelton]

Took the 204 out today to run through some charge weights for the 39 gr blitzking using 8208 and H4895. I know most people start with a 204 and then build a vartarg and then no longer use the 204. I am doing the same thing at the moment. My vartarg barrel is paid for and on the list at Pac-Nor…but it’s hard for me to believe I’ll ever not like this rifle. It’s a savage model 12 I bought cheap from Cabela’s years ago. The factory barrel shot good, I just wanted something better. I put a 26” full bull criterion 1-11” twist barrel on it, HS stock and accurate mag bottom metal. Below are the groups from today. All 4 shot groups at 100 yds. Top row is 8208 and bottom is H4895. FYI, the 22 lr targets make for pretty good load development targets.

Pretty happy with the results. Can’t say the same for my 223 whose groups are cropped off the bottom of the target picture lol.

 

[lb-ft]

Nice!

 

[Skunce]

Took the 204 out today to run through some charge weights for the 39 gr blitzking using 8208 and H4895. I know most people start with a 204 and then build a vartarg and then no longer use the 204. I am doing the same thing at the moment. My vartarg barrel is paid for and on the list at Pac-Nor…but it’s hard for me to believe I’ll ever not like this rifle. It’s a savage model 12 I bought cheap from Cabela’s years ago. The factory barrel shot good, I just wanted something better. I put a 26” full bull criterion 1-11” twist barrel on it, HS stock and accurate mag bottom metal. Below are the groups from today. All 4 shot groups at 100 yds. Top row is 8208 and bottom is H4895. FYI, the 22 lr targets make for pretty good load development targets.

Pretty happy with the results. Can’t say the same for my 223 whose groups are cropped off the bottom of the target picture lol.

When I go prairie dog shooting I take a 204 loaded with 39/40 grain bullets and a Vartarg loaded with 32 grain bullets. They compliment each other well, but the 20 Vartarg is my favorite.

 

[Chris Shelton]

When I go prairie dog shooting I take a 204 loaded with 39/40 grain bullets and a Vartarg loaded with 32 grain bullets. They compliment each other well, but the 20 Vartarg is my favorite.

That’ll be what I do too. The vartarg is lookin like it’s got big shoes to fill so far. The rifle is uncomfortably heavy to tote around but man it’s fun when you pull the trigger and it don’t move. I’m afraid I spec’d out my vartarg too light for what I plan to do with it. We will see in march.

 

[17VLD]

You are certainly right about a good shooting 204 being hard to beat. I started with the VarTargs and then started accumulating 204s. Like Skunce I love the VT for pds with 32s and the 204 stoked with 39s and 40s serves me well. Both have their purpose and im sure you will keep em both. That is a great looking Savage and it sure shoots very well.
Matt

 

[varmintshooter]

Your spot on with the 204. I think some people don't want one cause it's not a wildcat. I've been shooting a 204 for nite time predator hunting. I think of it like a point and shoot

 

[Chris Shelton]

You are certainly right about a good shooting 204 being hard to beat. I started with the VarTargs and then started accumulating 204s. Like Skunce I love the VT for pds with 32s and the 204 stoked with 39s and 40s serves me well. Both have their purpose and im sure you will keep em both. That is a great looking Savage and it sure shoots very well.
Matt

Thank ya sir. Takes a chunk of money to pretty up a savage but it can be done hah. Been considering cerakoting the barreled action. Every time go to do it though I talk myself out of it. Not sure what color I’d even do.

 

[Chris Shelton]

You’re spot on with the 204. I think some people don't want one cause it's not a wildcat. I've been shooting a 204 for nite time predator hunting. I think of it like a point and shoot

And it don’t have a cool name lol. I’ve seen my buddy shoot a lot of coyotes with his ruger Hawkeye predator and a 32 gr vmax. Works pretty well.