204 Ruger
- Thread starter AzDak42
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,864
- 6,441
Well, I sure do enjoy shooting mine. Have used it primarily on rock chucks. Using a CZ 527 varmint rifle with an old 12x Leupold. Have loaded 32, 35 and 40 grain bullets - and all have worked well. Also shot a bit of 32 & 40 gr Hornady factory ammo.
It's fast. Shoots flat. Knocks the snot out of rock chucks. Accurate. I'm seeing about 1/2 MOA. Virtually no recoil. Haven't really bothered keeping track of brass life - but I haven't worn out any cases. I just neck size with my Wilson dies. Am using BLC2 powder. I hear several other powders are supposed to work even better.
The tiny bullets and itty-bitty case mouths are a little bit of a bother to handle while loading, but I manage to get through it all, then just load some .375's or .44's after and feel much better.
Good little cartridge. Can tell you more later if the other .204 guys don't chime in - but am off to the rifle range for a bit.
Guy
It's fast. Shoots flat. Knocks the snot out of rock chucks. Accurate. I'm seeing about 1/2 MOA. Virtually no recoil. Haven't really bothered keeping track of brass life - but I haven't worn out any cases. I just neck size with my Wilson dies. Am using BLC2 powder. I hear several other powders are supposed to work even better.
The tiny bullets and itty-bitty case mouths are a little bit of a bother to handle while loading, but I manage to get through it all, then just load some .375's or .44's after and feel much better.
Good little cartridge. Can tell you more later if the other .204 guys don't chime in - but am off to the rifle range for a bit.
Guy
Wincheringen
Handloader
- Jan 10, 2012
- 931
- 1
I've certainly enjoyed the .204 Ruger. As Guy mentioned, its flat, fast and hard hitting. I load the 40 grain BTs but I picked up a couple cases of the Nosler 34s from SPS so I'll load them up next.
Reloading can be a little tricky with the small necks, so I recommend a ball powder and better seating die.
Reloading can be a little tricky with the small necks, so I recommend a ball powder and better seating die.
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 293
I am interested in this round also. I am looking at the Savage 12FV.
WT that is the rifle I had in the 204 it is very accurate but you need a wagon to take it anywhere as it is real heavy. I got rid of it and bought a the CZ 527 it is just as accurate and you can carry it for days.
I shoot the 39gr BK and it is 1/2" MOA.
A real fun rifle for shooting :wink:
Blessings,
Dan
I shoot the 39gr BK and it is 1/2" MOA.
A real fun rifle for shooting :wink:
Blessings,
Dan
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
Mine is the CZ Model 527 and it is very accurate for such a little rifle. It does blow with windage a little with 32 grain bullets but shoots 1/2 inch groups easily with 26.5 grains of IMR 3031and CCI 200 primer. Haven't worn out the original 60 cases yet. Velocities are at 3970 fps but load is not really hot.
Not too fussy for loads and not too hard to see bullets hit target with low recoil.
Not too fussy for loads and not too hard to see bullets hit target with low recoil.
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 293
If the CZ will shoot as good at the Savage, I would really concider saving up and getting that rifle over the 12FV. I am looking at it as more of a plinker/range rifle than a hunting gun.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,864
- 6,441
Here's a link to an excellent article covering the various .20 cal rifle cartridges:
http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html
More there than I could type here. It is one of the articles I relied on when making my decision to buy a .204 Ruger. IF I already had a .223 or a .22-250, I probably wouldn't have bothered with a .204, but since I didn't have a small-bore varmint rifle... Why not?
It's been a lot of fun over the past few years although I haven't taken it afield as often as I had thought I would. It usually makes a couple of spring trips for rockchucks. Now and again I'll carry it for coyotes, but other than that it hasn't seen much use. Still, it's an awful lot of fun to shoot, and very accurate.
One thing that's real nice is that it recoils so little, that the crosshairs hang on target, letting me clearly see the bullet impact on 'chucks. I kind of like that.
Regards, Guy
http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html
More there than I could type here. It is one of the articles I relied on when making my decision to buy a .204 Ruger. IF I already had a .223 or a .22-250, I probably wouldn't have bothered with a .204, but since I didn't have a small-bore varmint rifle... Why not?
It's been a lot of fun over the past few years although I haven't taken it afield as often as I had thought I would. It usually makes a couple of spring trips for rockchucks. Now and again I'll carry it for coyotes, but other than that it hasn't seen much use. Still, it's an awful lot of fun to shoot, and very accurate.
One thing that's real nice is that it recoils so little, that the crosshairs hang on target, letting me clearly see the bullet impact on 'chucks. I kind of like that.
Regards, Guy
- Thread starter
- #10
The new CZ 527 Target Varmint has me all tingly over the idea of buying a .204 and reloading for it. I'm just struggling with the total utility... Is this so much different than what I can do with the .243 AICS or .223 ARs I already have?
Ah hell... practicality in picking rifles has never been my strong suit....
Ah hell... practicality in picking rifles has never been my strong suit....
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,543
- 6,622
Wha... How'd I get dragged into this! Consequently, I just got a call that a rifle is awaiting my attendance. Scotty, (wait for this), it's a 9.3X64.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,864
- 6,441
"Is this so much different than what I can do with the .243 AICS or .223 ARs I already have?"
I think the .204 Ruger is going to prove to be a lot like your .223 rifles in the field. I don't see much practical difference between the .223 AR-15 varminter my oldest son uses and the .204 Ruger I use.
But the little .20 cal is very cool... :grin:
I think the .204 Ruger is going to prove to be a lot like your .223 rifles in the field. I don't see much practical difference between the .223 AR-15 varminter my oldest son uses and the .204 Ruger I use.
But the little .20 cal is very cool... :grin:
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 293
After the week I had, I will be looking at 204s this weekend.
- Thread starter
- #15
Well... if I get in trouble, I'm blaming you guys. 
Just ordered the new CZ target varmint in 204. Can't wait to see how she handles at the range.
You know, it's sort of funny... As expensive as the rifle is, by the time I pick a few powders, bullets, new dies and all the other stuff, it's going to run more than the rifle does!
Just ordered the new CZ target varmint in 204. Can't wait to see how she handles at the range.
You know, it's sort of funny... As expensive as the rifle is, by the time I pick a few powders, bullets, new dies and all the other stuff, it's going to run more than the rifle does!
DrMike":opkvqsf8 said:
Oh man! Stand by for heavy waves!! Very cool Mike! Get pictures ASAP!!! HA!! Good luck buddy!
AzDak42":opkvqsf8 said:Well... if I get in trouble, I'm blaming you guys.
Ha, just blame Mike! It is better that way! :shock:
That should be a cool rifle! I like those CZ's a bunch.. Pretty sharp rifles.
- Thread starter
- #17
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,543
- 6,622
I can only believe you would be very satisfied with the higher magnification Minox.
- Thread starter
- #20
I've read in a few guides that the 204 does well with medium burn rate powders like Varget and R15.
I happen to already stock those two.. Anyone think there is an issue with those as a starting point, or is there one rockstar powder to jump into with the 204?
As the 204 I'm shooting is 1:12, I think I'm going to focus on the 32g Vmax and 32g Varmagedon..
I happen to already stock those two.. Anyone think there is an issue with those as a starting point, or is there one rockstar powder to jump into with the 204?
As the 204 I'm shooting is 1:12, I think I'm going to focus on the 32g Vmax and 32g Varmagedon..
