Ruger 204 test

[jwv]

Hello to all, this is my first post here on GBO so bear with me. I'm from southern Oklahoma and since I have found this site it has been a wealth of excellent information about firearms and hunting. I just got my Ruger 204 last monday and it is one more great shooting gun. It is a handi with the 22" bull barrel. After I got it home I cleaned it very carefully and the only thing I did was free float the barrel as that is something I do on all my guns. I mounted a cheap 3x9Tasco scope and after I got it to hit center target (about 5 shots) I cleaned and then shot 3 shot groups that averaged 1/2".That has really amazed me that one could get that good of a groups right out of the box. The ammo was factory 32 gr. Hornady  I will try the 40 gr. later and see what groups I will get , but I sure like what I have seen so far. As a small varmint rifle I think it will be a great all around choice. As i said eairler lots of good information on this site.   Later , Jack

[bigjeepman]

jwv ... welcome to GBO ...

You seemed to have hit on a very good rifle there in your .204 bb Handi. Though I do not have a .204, it is one of those calibers that really interests me. I remember when it first came on the market and how many gunowners/hunters were bashing the new round. I think it has found it's place in many collections as a fast, flat shooting accurate round. I have friends that coyote hunt with their .204's and nothing else. These guys love 'em and now swear by 'em.

Good shooting and keep on shooting it ... it should only get better.

bjm

[backstrap]

alott of the handi rifles only get better with more shots through the barrel so good luck on a great shooting gun

[jwv]

Thank's Bigjeep and backstrap, you know there are alot of people who think that one has to spend a fortune in order to have a good shooting rifle but the truth is a single shot can do just as good if not better then those high dollar rifles. My hope is that the Ruger 204 will be a solid gun on varmints up to coyotes  at up to about 300 yards. I just  hardly ever get a shot at 300 unless I am on the South Canadian River.
            Someday I hope to be able to go prairie dog hunting out in the western part of the state. Since my 16 year old now has my Remington 22-250 there is more reason to go on one of those hunts. When its all said and done in this life it's good to have a few good times to look back on. I hope you have a good   and a safe trip Bigjeep.      Latter, Jack

[backstrap]

I dont own a 204 but i dont know the bullet weights of the 204 but if they shoot a 35 to 40ish grain bullet I would think it would take a yote out at 300 + yard easy

[corelokt308win]

I had one in 204 that I traded away.  It was, as is yours and most others, very accurate.  I'm thinking along the lines of one of the 17's now for a bounce about rifle.  Best of luck with yours.  It becomes an obcession real easy, so look out!  Metal trigger gaurds and forearm spacers, fancy wood, rifle barrels, trigger job, shotgun barrels, muzzleloader barrels, peep sites, what scope...

[Old English]

Hi, good job on the 204, .5" groups with factory ammo is a lot better than mine can acheive. I had to load my own to acheive that level, somewhat longer OAL than std. but it shoots now. I would save your money on the Hornady 40gr though. Mine was horrendous with that ammo, like 4-6" groups. I called H&R and they told me that it will not shoot it, go for the 32gr was their advice, they were right.
I have just ordered a Savage 12 Low Profile in 204 as well. It is a great round to shoot and very effective on game. I love the low recoil, I was surprised with the sound level though. This round certainly goes bang!!!

[quickdtoo]

The 40gr Vmax will shoot very well with the right load, you just need to push em hard.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,79053.msg488957.html#msg488957

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,58956.0.html

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,61304.msg369549.html#msg369549

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,67053.msg407848.html#msg407848

[Old English]

Thanks Quick, I am away working in Vietnam at the moment but intend to try the heavier bullet when I get back, April 7th can't come quick enough. No pun intended.
I was replying to the fact that JWV was shooting factory ammo. @ $17 a box, I was trying to save him some wasted cash!

[quickdtoo]

FWIW, I never had great accuracy with any factory load, am working on handloads now using Mitchell's load from Hodgdon with BL-C2, just need some more range time, it's been a long winter, have only been to the range once since November!

Tim