Author Topic: .17 Mach IV vs. Tactical 20 vs. .204 Ruger (Read 1703 times)

Loki_762 · « **on:** September 19, 2004, 08:01:58 AM »

With any luck, I will be purchasing either a TC Contender or Encore frame within the next 5 months or so, and I want to make it a varmint gun. I plan on shooting ground squirrels primarily, but I am sure I will shoot some rockchucks with it as well. However, I am having a hard time deciding between the .17 Mach IV, the Tactical 20, and the .204 Ruger. The way I see it, there is both advantages and disadvantages to each. What I am looking for is a cartridge that:
1. Will allow me to see my hits through the scope.
2. Will not burn out my barrel in 1500 to 2000 shots.
3. Will allow me to make shots out to 300 yards.
As I see it, the advantages and disadvantages of each are:
.17 Mach IV - Advantages - Uses less powder, won't eat barrels, low recoil will allow me to see shots, and it SCREAMS!
Disadvantages - Light bullets used may not reach to 300 yards with enough energy to dispatch rockchucks, forming brass requires many dies (expensive), buying pre-formed brass is expensive
Tactical 20 - Advantages - Uses .223 cases as parent case, has heavier bullet selections than the .17, will most likely be better over longer ranges than the .17, and it SCREAMS!
Disadvantages - May not be able to see hits through scope, need to buy expensive custom dies, may be a barrel burner (I am unsure of this).
.204 Ruger - Advantages - Eventually will have factory brass for handloaders, available factory ammunition, has heavier bullet selections than the .17, will most likely be better over longer ranges than the .17, and it SCREAMS!
Disadvantages - Parent case brass is harder to get than .223 brass, may burn barrels quickly, may not be able to see hits through the scope, and at this time, dies are still a little on the expensive side.
Now, I know that dies are most likely going to be expensive, no matter which caliber I get. That aside, can anyone provide information on their personal experiences shooting these rounds, and help me to make this decision? I really want to have one of these calibers by next spring, so I need to get to deciding soon!
Thanks in advance,
Loki

warf73 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2004, 11:03:58 PM »

I shoot the 204 its a very nice round but so are the other 2.

The dies for the 204 aren't expencive at all you can get Hornady RCBS dies for under $30 and thats with shipping.

You can see impacts with the 204 easly out to 200yards(thats as far as I've killed PD with it) Don't see why you couldn't with 20 tact.

Barrel life is why the 204 was made. To be shot 10000000 of times.
Not sure on the 20 tact.

Feez · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2004, 01:06:46 AM »

What length barrel are we talking about?
An article about the .204 in the American Rifleman was talking about the powder it uses. Some "breakthrough in chemistry" means the power burns progressively. It might need the whole 24 inches to get going good. If you reload for a TC your velocity might be boring.

As for the cases in .204, I see they can't keep the factory ammo in stock. I think it will be here to stay and cases will become as hard to get as a 30-06. More and more rifles are available in .204.

Also ditto what warf73 said about dies and barrel life.

Other than that, I don't know much about the other 2 calibers or handguns in rifle calibers.
Good luck in your research

Loki_762 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2004, 06:13:35 PM »

Feez - I was talking about an Encore or Contender Rifle. I didn't make that very clear. I would definitely go with a 24 to 26 inch barrel to get the maximum velocity possible. The more I read and see about this .204 Ruger, the more I like it. Seems like a fun round. May have to get one.
Thanks guys,
Loki

Mike in Ct · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2004, 09:52:22 AM »

I'd go with the plain old .223...light enough recoil to see the hits..heavier bullet than all the others..better down range performance & better bullet selection than the 5mm or 17 cal. guns...When the wind kicks up you will wish it was one of the 6mm benchrest guns..They totally have it all over the small varmint rounds when it comes to performance at any distance greater than 250 yds or so...good luck with whatever you choose..mike in ct

Feez · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2004, 03:35:15 PM »

Quote from: Loki_762

Feez - I was talking about an Encore or Contender Rifle. I would definitely go with a 24 to 26 inch barrel

My bad,
didn't even know about their rifles. I saw the word Contender and thought of the 10 - 16 inch handguns.

Another thought on the .204, I have a Cooper, so far it has hit about 25 groundhogs. All but one have dropped on the spot. That one crawled 14 feet before expiring. Most distances have been under 200 yards but one at 300 dropped with an armpit shot that exited the same shoulder.

redawg · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:07:24 PM »

I don't know if it matters or not, but T/C is factory chambering barrels for the .204. It would be cheaper than a custom barrel. My Encore is set up with a heavy .223 barrel for shooting prairie dogs and I'm happy with it so far. Let us know what you get and how well you like it.

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2004, 01:16:48 PM »

First, get the Ecore, it will take higher presure rounds. As for the .17 mach 1V, I have a .17 AH that will drop grounds at 300 yrds. with 19 grn. bullet, no problem with the Mach 1V there. In fact I have 3 different .17 cal rounds that I load for and shoot. I think that the .204 is a better long range round though, it has alittle higher velosity with heaver bullets so it will shoot alittle flatter.