.204 Ruger - What are your experiences?

[9x19]

In a Handi, of course... buy it or not?

Thanks in advance...

[LONGTOM]

Based on the one I have and the one my buddy has I would not hesitate!
Mine will put 5 shots completely covered by a dime at 100yds using factory 32gr vmax ammo and my buddies will do almost as good.
They both have 4x12x40 scopes.
I am sighted 1" high at 100 and I can still hold dead on a fox at 300.
It would be a hard sell which is better between my 204 Handy and my pre war model 70 WINCHESTER in 22 hornet.
I have had my 204 now for I think three years and have taken
1coyote
17 foxes
137 groundhogs
7 skunks
3 possums
1 turkey
and dispatched 1 deer that was hit by a car
All but 11 groundhogs were one shot kills.
I have only 17 misses so far.
I am on my 11th box of ammo with 6 rounds left in it which makes a total of 214 shots down the tube including 7 rounds for sight in and 2 rounds per recheck a couple times a year.
Distances ranged from 2ft on the deer to as far as 360yds on 1 fox.
Many shots were over 275
For varmints this is my go to gun.
When it was new I cleaned it and since then it has only had a bore snake pulled through the barrel 3 times.
About every 70 to 80 rounds.
Some of my other HANDYS may not shoot to well but this ones NOT FOR SALE!!!


LONGTOM

[PHATINJUN]

Mine shoots 1" and less at 300 yards. Kurt

[jw83]

Definately buy one. Mine shoots great.

[Fat NDN]

Well I'm the cold water guy !  I have 2 H&r .204 Rugers and so far after 4 different brands of bullets and 3 types of powder,
they don't shoot well at all.  4 - 6 inch groups at 100 yds.  39gr BK's keyhole at 50 yds. I am going to the range Wed. If something doesn't change I will see if I can trade both on a new Savage .204. 

[LONGTOM]

Man I reload but with the quality of the factory stuff and the tiny bullets and my fat little fingers it just ain't worth my time.
At $15.99 a box for HORNADY 32gr vmax ammo I would rather spend my time shooting. I really don't think I could match the factory stuff anyway!


LONGTOM

[MOGLEY]

I was ready to sell mine. I had so many load work ups NOT work that I was about at my wits end when I finally found the magic load. using 32 gr sierra BK and almost max 10x powder. Now it shoots Tiny little groups and I have no problem with woodchucks to 300 yards. I am not going to sell this one! Being able to see your animals blow up in the scope is really cool too.

[b2krag]

I would definitely get the 204. I picked mine up at a pawn shop and love it. Although it is rough on brass. I found out why they sold it so cheap at the pawn shop--the head space is just a touch too long. Now, to shoot factory rounds I have to first pull the bullets and then seat long into the lands. After that, I reload normally. I don't mind, I like to mess with the reloader. If I got rid of it, I would get another. B2Krag

[Fat NDN]

Well I finally got some decent groups.  Using both 32 gr Nosler Ballistic tips and 35 gr Bergers with 26 grs of Benchmark.
So far I got it down to 1 inch at 100 yds.