I stopped in at the local gun shop this afternoon. There was also another customer, who I often see, there. He was trying a bi-pod on a .204 Handi. Knowing this guy favors bolt actions and is not shy about spending serious dollars on them, I asked how the Handi came to be. It seems earlier this spring he was ground hog hunting with a buddy who had a Handi in .204 and when he laughed at it, his friend offered the opportunity to try it out. His first shot at a hog was just over 200 yards. He hit two more before his buddy took the gun back. He said he could not believe how accurate the rifle was.
Afterward he went to the shop and bought one off the rack. He put a Bushnell 3200 on it and said he's been knocking the hogs dead since. This guy couldn't say enough about how impressed with the Handi he has become. A couple other customers came in and listened as he talked up the Handi . It seems that when he bought the .204, he picked up a brochure from the shop. Later, after reading it, he called the shop and asked them to order him a .204 Ultra Varmint.
He says he calls the rifle his "laser" and added that the Hornady 32 gr rounds were devastating on the hogs.
It was rather enjoyable listening to this guys excitement. He sounded like a kid at Christmas.
Hmm ... I like my .223's, but maybe I need to add a .204.