Savage Predator in .204?

[Nomo4me]

My first post here. I'm a rimfire nut and have some nice Cooper and Kimber rifles that take care of my shooting needs, which is mostly plinking at the range with a couple of ground squirrel shoots each spring.
Lately I've been wanting to play with a center fire and a 204 Ruger seems to fit the bill.
Because I may shoot this gun only 1 or 2 times per year I'm kind of drawn to the low price point / high value of the Savage Predator Hunter - without the Simmons scope.

Searching here and elsewhere it seems that as of a couple of years ago Savage didn't get the .204 chambering right and some of these guns were poor shooters. I do want a 1/2' moa rifle to play with.
Are current production Predator Hunters in 204 'made right' and good sub moa guns as a rule? I'd want to shoot the 40 grain bullets.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Thorbird]

I would just get a 12FV if your looking at a budget .204 that would be a great shooter. I have one that I got about 2 years ago and shoots in the .3's with regularity. Have shot many bugholes with it. I don't care for the stock however, and put it in a Savage VLP laminate stock. Make sure you free the tang area,back of the action where safety is) so there is no contact with stock.

If you can afford it, and probably not much more if any, than a predator hunter, get a 12 VLP. It is stainless, and you already have the laminate stock. The 12FV is a varmint gun though, and would not be a great stalking gun. Look for a Savage with a sporter barrel for that.

 

[Nomo4me]

Thanks for your reply. Today my varmint centerfire arsenal was determined for me when I came across two NIB old stock Tikka 595 'continental varmint' guns, 1 each in 22-250 and .223. This is a walnut stocked predecessor to the T-3 and supposedly preferable to that gun. They have medium heavy barrels and nicely checkered stocks with semi-beavertail forend.
The stars were aligned and I had a wad of cash in my pocket and walked out the store with both of them at $1200 out the door.

I'm 5'5' tall and these guns are a bit larger in scale than would be ideal, but I'm quite taken with them. I'll probably shoot factory loads in the .223 while I assemble a reloading setup.
So no .204 for me yet. Maybe the stars will align again someday.

 

[Thorbird]

I don't feel sorry for you. Sounds like a stroke of luck. The .204 is one great cartridge, but enjoy what you got.