Which .204 Ruger rifle?

[Slowshot]

Good evening,

I'd like to try a .204 Ruger. I've never had one, but I have read about its virtues.

Just looking to pick up a factory rifle to see what the fuss is about. (seeing hits)

I have seen them with 20", 22", and 26" barrels.

Will I give up too much if I go with a 20" barrel?

What factory rifle do you all recommend?

Disclaimer: I'm not a Savage fan.

Thank you

Yes, as others say, ,"budget", is an important detail. While I have had great experiences with CZ rifles, including a 527 in .223, my 204 Ruger rifle is a left handed Ruger M77 Hawkeye. The Ruger has become my favorite small bore centerfire rifle. I like the way it looks, shoots and feels. It's accuracy is a wonder to behold. Unfortunately, it appears to be a discontinued model. I see one sold recently on Gunbroker for $679.00. If you can find one give it a try. Here is my rifle:

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Good evening,

I'd like to try a .204 Ruger. I've never had one, but I have read about its virtues.

Just looking to pick up a factory rifle to see what the fuss is about. (seeing hits)

I have seen them with 20", 22", and 26" barrels.

Will I give up too much if I go with a 20" barrel?

What factory rifle do you all recommend?

Disclaimer: I'm not a Savage fan.

Thank you

A real sleeper is the TC Venture , 1/10 twist 24 inch threaded barrel, about $500, trigger is good but I had mine redone by Mcarbo in Florida , 1lb a varmint hunters dream.Mine shoots easily 1/2 at 100 yards with about anything.It will hold it's own with the best out there.TC guarantees 1moa at 100 , but mine is way better, that's an average shooter my guess.

 

[searcher]

The only reason I mention the 20” barrel is because the Howa mini looks like a neat little rifle, and it has a 20” heavy barrel.

Most of us want the .20 due to the speed and flat trajectory. if you aren't going to be carrying the thing around (instead shooting off of a bench or supported stand), you would be well to get the longer barrel. Going with the 20" is like buying a Ferrari and putting a V.W engine in it. If you carry - that is a whole lot different. I've got 26" tubes on all of mine. You can run a milder load in the 26" tube and get the same velocities you will in a 20" tube, plus your recoil will be a bit tamer to keep you on your sight picture. You WILL benefit greatly by having a brake on it for getting best view of hits, so the ability to fit one would be a huge consideration if I were looking at rifles. I'm not a real fan of having a threaded barrel for a brake unless I know it is done by a VERY competent gunsmith. I use the Witt Machine clamp-on brakes on a few rifles for the past ten years.

 

[searcher]

Also, there isn’t a vast selection of 204 brass. I looked online at Midway, Brownell’s, and Grafs.

If I have a rifle built, it seems a 20 practical or tactical would be more prudent from a brass standpoint.

From a brass standpoint - the 20P is the best choice for sure. You can use whatever .223 brass that you fancy. I used to use premium grade brass but have found that by spending a bit of time with 1x fired Lake City brass (I ream the pockets and turn the necks), it shoots very well (1/4" to 3/8" MOA). If a bolt gun, I'd get Lapua as would last a long time shot from a bolt gun. I love that caliber so much in my A/R's, I bought a BAT action to build a bolt gun. Those 20P's when tuned well are pretty darned impressive.

 

[Slowshot]

I just looked at Midway and saw 204 Ruger brass for sale and in stock. Then I checked Natchez Shooter Sypply and found 4 different brands of 204 brass at a range of prices, all in stock. So I do not see that as an issue

 

[JB10]

I just looked at Midway and saw 204 Ruger brass for sale and in stock. Then I checked Natchez Shooter Sypply and found 4 different brands of 204 brass at a range of prices, all in stock. So I do not see that as an issue

The 204 brass is just starting to come back around. Most of it is dogtown made by nosler or nosler brass. I have not seen any hornady or winchester in about 4 years. Dont remember when i saw any norma. I started with hornady when i got mine and have not tried any other brand out. Im lucky i bought what i did when i did. But i do love my 204. Debating on a 20 tac or 20p next. Have the actuon, stock, trigger just have not ordered the barrel yet

 

[Slowshot]

The 204 brass is just starting to come back around. Most of it is dogtown made by nosler or nosler brass. I have not seen any hornady or winchester in about 4 years. Dont remember when i saw any norma. I started with hornady when i got mine and have not tried any other brand out. Im lucky i bought what i did when i did. But i do love my 204. Debating on a 20 tac or 20p next. Have the actuon, stock, trigger just have not ordered the barrel yet

I am still waiting to see Lapua brass in 204 Ruger. I got spoiled by Lapua brass when I started loading 222 Remington.

 

[nakneker]

The one and only 204 I’ve owned was a Remington LVSF, my brother caught me in a week moment and now he owns it. That rifle was perfect in every way, weight, balance and accurate. They go for stupid money now. I still see CZs now and again go for reasonable prices, I think if I was shopping today and wanted to keep it sub 1k, I’d look and wait for a Remington 700, Tikka or Cz in no particular order either. The rifle I had was hell on coyotes, I own a 20-222 now or I would have replaced it with another 204.