Author Topic: .204 Ruger Handi ? (Read 2029 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** July 13, 2004, 11:30:22 AM »

Found this while browsing....

http://www.thegunsource.com/shopping/store/product_view.asp?idproduct=32167&idmanufacturer=192&idcategory=5

Anyone know if it is available yet?

hellacatcher · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2004, 01:42:26 PM »

I have tried to find out from different sources so far it is not or at least I am told that. Bout to give up and try to find it in a remington if I can do that . Heck I got time may as well slow down. By the way I haven't seen any thing to clean a 204 yet will a 22cal work? :? I have no clue.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2004, 01:46:31 PM »

I just did a search on the site below for it and it is listed but not in stock.

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/

like2shoot · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2004, 05:52:44 PM »

I attended a gun show this past weekend. It seems every dealer had 204s in Rem. , Ruger, Encore, etc. They all wanted big bucks for them.

MarkA · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2004, 11:57:13 AM »

Boys, my Handi is at the factory, NOW!, getting fitted for the party in a brand new 204 Ruger outfit!

Spot Shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:16:23 AM »

Fella's,

How can anyone be gettin' a rifle upgraded to 22-250 or 204 if they don't list them on the barrel program page?

Is there somethin' I don't know?

Spot

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:40:00 AM »

The last time I spoke to someone at H&R 1871(a couple months ago) I was told the 204 ruger as a complete rifle should be available around July, accessory barrels would be a few months later.

Spot Shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2004, 07:21:56 AM »

Months back I heard (on this board) that 22-250 barrels would be available during July, or August this year.

BUT I keep hear'n fellers say ya can get'em...

PM me if ya have too...

I'd like to put my order in for a 358 for the boy, and a 22-250.

Spot

MarkA · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2004, 07:52:45 AM »

Spot: I know that you do not know me, but I would not have sent my rifle to them just to have it returned! They have/do/will make a Ruger 204 and a 22-250. You are not looking in the correct places!

Big Blue · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2004, 12:26:34 PM »

Quote from: MarkA

They have/do/will make a Ruger 204 and a 22-250. You are not looking in the correct places!

I haven't been able to find them in the barrel program either, could you pass along where you saw them? I'm not trying to be controversial, I'm just curious because I can't find them either.
Don

MarkA · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2004, 12:49:50 PM »

Below is directly from H&R 1871 site, what can I say.

Quote

Handi-RifleTM / Handi-RifleTM Youth

If meat on the table were the sole object of the hunt, then a trip to the supermarket would suffice. We all know that thereÂ’s much more involved. At its best, the hunt has always been the acid test of the hunterÂ’s skills. And the truly skilled hunter is the one who can confidently achieve his or her goal with one well-placed shot.

For generations, the single shot rifle has been the choice of the accomplished and self-assured hunter. And for years, New England Firearms has honored that choice. Our centerfire rifles are designed and built to make that one shot count. For the varmint or big game hunter, we offer many very attractive options. New England Firearms Handi-RiflesTM are available in a wide range of rifle calibers ranging from 22 Hornet to 45-70 Government, and in 44 Magnum. We are also offering the hot new 204 Ruger chambering. Our Youth Handi-Rifle is available in 223 Rem., 243 Win. and 7mm/08 Rem.

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2004, 01:04:53 PM »

Mark,
I don't think anyone doubts that H&R will make them it is just that they are not available yet. H&R 1871 likes to market their products well ahead of when they are available to the public. That quote about the 204 has been on their site for months but I have not heard of one single 204 leaving H&R as a complete gun or accessory barrel. I saw an add in shotgun news back in April about a sporster in 17 Mach II I don't expect to see that on the dealers shelves untill winter. Have you spoke to anyone at H&R about when they expect to fit your 204 barrel? Usually H&R receives their barrels in batches, I would expect the first couple batches to be fitted to actions and sold as whole guns. Since there will be quite a demand for the 204 ruger I would expect it to take several months before the 204 barrels are available as an accessory.

Big Blue · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2004, 01:17:27 PM »

H+R seems to come out with only one version of their website per year, usually in Jan. By not updating their site, they publish these things well in advance of production. Most of the guys here believed they would be available in July 2004. Whether as a whole gun or accessory barrel is another question altogether.
Don

MarkA · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2004, 01:41:52 AM »

I know that I am coming across here like an enormous butt, however:

1. Yes, I have spoken to them about my order. I confirm my rifle's arrival after I see that UPS has delivered. I called and discussed the 204 with no problems.

2. It is easier to be forgiven than to have premission! They have had rifle 3 weeks and have not sent it back with a 'We Do Not Do This' note. It may take a week or two longer but so what.

3. They do not seem overally anxious to update their web site so I figured what the heck!

scruffy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2004, 03:43:27 AM »

Quote from: MarkA

2. It is easier to be forgiven than to have premission! They have had rifle 3 weeks and have not sent it back with a 'We Do Not Do This' note. It may take a week or two longer but so what.

Did they say when the barrel will be fitted? There's been more than one person here who sent a reciever in for a barrel that wasn't in stock and they reciever was put up on a shelf for weeks and months until another run of that caliber was done.

I have no doubt that they'll fit a .204 to your frame, but I wouldn't be surprised if they don't do it for a few months and in the mean time your reciever just sits there.

We all could be wrong and they could be fitting it today, but that's counter what they've told everyone else on here and other boards. And that is that the .204 will be a firearm only offering initially and that the accessory barrel fitting will begin after the initial firearm batch is complete and shipped, probably late summer into fall.

Then at that time your frame would have a .204 barrel fitted. :cry: Long time to wait and I hope this isn't what's going to happen, but time will tell. Let us know how it turns out.

And let us know how it shoots and ejects. The .204 case head diameter and overall case lenght are the same as the .223 remington (so they could make .204 rugers from any .223 action) but a longer distance between the head and shoulder so more case capacity so I'm curious how it ejects. Maybe some polishing will be necessary like some .223's need.

It'll never happen now but I would have rather seen the tact 20 become a factory round. The .204 ruger is a necked down shortened .222 rem mag case. The tact 20 is a necked down .223 rem case. .223 brass is everywhere and dirt cheap. Tact 20 velocity is slower than the .204 ruger because of less case capacity (shorter distance between head and shoulder) but it's still screaming fast and has a longer (although probably not much...) barrel life. Maybe someday, there's dozens of .22 caliber centerfires cartridges, if the .204 takes off maybe more 20's will come out.

I'm sure Winchester will come out with a 20 wssm... :wink:

later,
scruffy

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2004, 03:47:36 PM »

I don't see it in their barrel list.
http://www.hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm

ArkyKen · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2004, 05:56:02 PM »

but,I'll take a .204 if they will put one on my reciever.Ain't gonna send it to em till I hear its for real tho. ArkyKen

borg1 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:36:18 AM »

Anyone watch 'A Way Outdoors'? They had a recent prairie dog hunt, testing the .204 in the Thomson Center. They were consistently taking dogs out to 300yds holding dead on. They were using the Hornady offering of the .204.

It looked liked the .204 was cutting those dogs in half!!! In some cases the dogs cartwheeled after being hit by the .204's little bullet. I"ve never had the chance to hunt dogs or use the .204, but the impacts were impressive!

MarkA · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:19:21 AM »

Well, I was just TOO COOL in sending my receiver in thinking they, NEF, had the barrels ready. They emailed me last week and it will be FALL before they are ready. So, I am glad I did not NEED my Handi and can wait. I will learn that it is wise to wait until they have them, told them just to keep mine until they had barrels, the shipping back and forth gets outrageous. Oh well, I tried!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2004, 04:05:01 AM »

Yeah, I sent em an email over the weekend asking em when they would be available, the reply came back this am, their reply: "yes it will sometime in late fall". :cry:

hellacatcher · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:03:00 PM »

I am seriously thinking of getting a remington in the 204 at least they are out now. :biggun:

borg1 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2004, 03:13:49 AM »

correction on the tv show i mentioned earlier. it was 'outdoor experience'. they had part 2 on last night. I still can't get over their cutting some of those dogs nearly in half.

They had the owner of Hornady on there with his M77 Varmint in .204, whalloping dogs past 300 yards. In my neck of the woods 300 yds is a heck of a long shot.

lik2hunt · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2004, 03:19:40 AM »

Yep great show! Dogs in chunks after that .204 round slammed into 'em. Wonder if the Handi will perform like that Ruger in the .204? It's gonna be interesting to see the posts come this winter after everyone has a chance to try them out.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2004, 02:54:03 PM »

Well I gave in today and found a savage in a 204 hope I am not dis-owened, hope to get it out this weekend.

Beekeeper · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2004, 05:42:42 PM »

Let me know how you like that savage. Especially if you get any woodchucks as I would like to know what results you get.
zach :grin:

lik2hunt · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2004, 03:00:39 AM »

hellacatcher - You won't be disappointed. :wink: Or disowned. I bet you just bought yourself a little tackdriver.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2004, 01:55:15 PM »

Got get out today with the 204 I know it not a N.E.F. but the little savage did very well for the first time. My priorities where break in first ,set scope second (came with a Simmons 3-9x44 good scope but the gun should have better) see how well it shoots. Broke it by cleaning after every shote. Set scope to point of am. At 100yrds 1/4 in group wind was probley 10 to 15 I think it will shoot better than the nut on the trigger. Ammo may be problem now bought one box for 17.00 when I bought the gun bought 4 more at a different place for 12.00 a box most place I called was out. I have most of the stuff I need to reload but you can't buy new brass now. Also was able to back off to 150 yrds and it still held a tight group, If I don't have to work all day tomorrow I may can get to a range where I can try 200yrds.

t-roy · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2004, 03:12:46 PM »

i saw a .204 in a savage with the accutrigger for a decent price awile back. but i will wait. my first handi will be the .204

also, in an earlier post, it was mentioned that the .204 was built on the .223 cartridge. it is made from a .222 magnum case