204

[tripper]

I picked up on another site that TC is coming out with a barrel in what is called a 204. What little I could find on it, it is based off the 223 rem. with a 36 gr. bullet traveling at a little over 4,200 fps. I think that was out of a 24" barrel. TC will make both handgun and carbine barrels. Ruger is also going to put it in their 77bolt and NO.1.
  Has anyone test fired this round or know more about it? Sounds like it might be a good varmit gun.

[KYODE]

it's on the .222magnum case, and necked down from what i understand. havn't looked at it too hard yet myself. yep, should be a dandy varminter.

[Bullseye]

From what I read about it, Hornady is getting that velocity with a special mix of powder.  They said that handloaders would not be able to get that much speed out of it but it did not say how much slower it would be.  It sounds interesting, but I think I will wait for some actual field reports before drawing any conclusions.

[contendernut]

I think Hornady is just blowing smoke out the tailpipe.  Sure Horandy uses non canister grade powder but it isn't anything specal about it that can't be duplicated with canister powder.  I get 3750fps with a 221 case out of a 23" barrel with 36g Bergers.  This is out of the 20 Vartarg.

[Catfish]

Contendernut,
   I`ve been thinking of a .20 cal. barrel for a while now. I`ve got 3 - .17 cal. rifles and usually end up carring a .17 AH in the summer. It`s great for groundhogs out to 300 yrds. In the fall and winter I`ve been carring a .17 Rem. most of the time in hopes of spotting a coyote. I`ve been thinking of the .20 cal. for alittle heaver bullets and still little hide damage or chance of a ricochets. I was thinking more in the lines of the .20 TNT or the 20 BR though. Something that would shoot at least as flat as a .22-250 or a .220 Swift and not have as much hide damage.
   I assume you have a Virgina Valley barrel, in any case, is your thight necked, what kind of groups are you getting with it, and how much damage is it doing to the fur? Any answers you could give me would be appreicated.   Catfish

[MAINER1234]

Talked to TC today and they say (for  what it is worth ) that the 204 testing has been done and that the barrels will be available in March sometime with match grade ammo ! I think the catch is the match grade ammunition ! When can we get that ?

[Big Gun]

The Midway USA web site lists the factory Hornady 204 Ruger ammo as "comming soon" the expected in stock date they have listed is Feb 20th, and the price is $15.00 per box of 20.  They also have TC fabricated Encore and Contender rifle and pistol barrels listed as "comming soon" with the same expected in stock date.  I also ran across these barrels listed on the Midsouth Shooters Supply page - not sure if these barrels are a special run or if they are going to be standard factory barrels distributed by everyone.  I think I will wait until they are available in stainless and then get a Contender barrel in this chambering - maybe event contemplate a custom barrel in this one if the factory stainless barrels are not available in a year or so.