Author Topic: Need help Rem 17 or 204 (Read 1002 times)

ibbuckshot · « **on:** October 09, 2005, 02:18:42 PM »

I am buying a Remington LV SF and live in area that has too many tree rats and a few yotes. I want something that is quiet and can be used in areas that are lightly populated. This is why I have been thinking the 17 Rem would be just right. What I am in need of is information about the 204. What is the smallest bullet that can be loaded in the 204? What I am getting at is weather I can load the 204 down to the size of the 17 weight wise and still have it group well. I am looking for the best of both worlds. Please help with your experience and opinions. Thanks for your help.
Have fun,
ibbuckshot

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2005, 06:19:53 AM »

You can't be serious! :eek: Neither of those is even remotely quiet. If you want quiet use a standard velocity or subsonic rimfire. :lol:

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2005, 10:11:37 AM »

Yep....neither are 'quiet' and I doubt if anyone could tell one from the other from a db level.
The smallest bullet I am aware of for a .204 is 32 gr. .....

ibbuckshot · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:32:16 PM »

What I should have said is in comparison to a 223,22-250 or 243.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:42:38 AM »

Again I think it unlikely you or anyone nearby will know the difference in noise level.

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2005, 03:43:14 AM »

About as quiet as you get in a CF would be a .22 Hornet........anything quieter is hardly worth the trouble unless you are shooting less than 100 yds.

Qaz · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2005, 06:30:00 AM »

IB, I know you are just joking, but if not I will bite. No one needs anything bigger than a 22lr for squirrels and contrary to what others may say, a 22lr velocitior or Power Point will kill an occasional coyote at woods distances (50yds or less). You can get a Berger 15gr bullet to load in the 17Rem which is 1/2 the weight of the lightest 204 round. If you reload, be careful with the 17Rem it can be a touchy round, both over or under loaded. People that I know that have the 204 don't actually shoot them much at woods distances. They all feel that it is alittle much for that and shoot less powerful rounds.

ibbuckshot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:06:17 PM »

I have a good Ruger 10/22, but how can you red mist a tree rat with a 22?? I am so mad at those rats chewing up what ever they can get!!! I am also tired of just watching them fall down dead when the 22 goes off, I want to see them suckers evaporate. I also want to, sometime in the future, spend some time in dog and chuck country. If I can get the 17 or 204 put together along with my 22-250 they should make a decent pair to go with. I was just looking for information on comparing the two. I was even thinking of getting one of the two set up with my Contender. Thanks
Have Fun,
ibbuckshot

Dirigo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:50:42 AM »

Quote from: ibbuckshot

I want to see them suckers evaporate

http://www.hi-vel.com/Catalog__18/Starburst_Ammunition/starburst_ammunition.html
http://www.hi-vel.com/Catalog__18/Specialized_Shotshell_Ammuniti/specialized_shotshell_ammuniti.html
^go down to the Fireball ammo

redial · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2005, 06:05:17 PM »

ib, I use a 17 Rem for exactly what you're describing, with the same concerns - noise and potential riccochet.

I load 30 grain Bergers (mollied) over 3031 for coyotes and for the thousands of ground squirrels I splat each Spring, the Hornady 20 gr V-Max and Blue Dot have worked very well. I can beat the HMR round by 1000 fps and still have a flat shooting round quiet enough to shoot around livestock and homes, often without earplugs. It's about the same as a 22 mag, noise wise. Brass lasts until I lose it in the grass. Only neck sizing is required to reload it.

There are a few horror stories about downloading 17 Rem but there are horror stories for every round ...

Redial
Gopher Jihad

jgalar · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2005, 03:06:16 AM »

Why not consider the 17 rimfires or a 22 mag for overkilling tree rats. Get a centerfire for the yotes.

dave375hh · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2005, 03:33:25 AM »

IB,
You already have a 22-250 so the .204 is an overlap, and one that may not be around in five years. Get the .17 Rem. As far as light bullets go, Starke makes 36 & 37 gr HPs in .224, and Burger makes a 30gr .20 cal.

ibbuckshot · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2005, 03:12:35 PM »

Well, I guess I will go for the 17 Rem. I want to thank you folks for your help. No I was not trying to be funny or joking about the subject. Just looking for some helpful advice from those who have experience with the two rounds -- in order to make a better disicion. I don't have so much money that I can make a 700 to 800 dollar mistake. I may be able to take it to the 3 C's shoot in Georga this spring. Thanks again
Have Fun
ib

Catfish · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2005, 02:03:31 AM »

There are alot of good bullets out there for the .17 Rem. If you load your own I will tell you do not use Berger MEF bullets on anything larger than crows. They are to thin skinned for reliable kills on groundhogs. The Berger match bullets are what you want for coyote, if your going to be shooting berger bullets, as I said there are several good bullets out there.