.204 Caliber.

[Mr_Logic 5]

All well and good if you speak from experience....

 

204 is popular with the Yanks because it is probably about the best varmint calibre. It uses less powder and bullet to do as good a job as 22-250, and it does reach out very explosively for the little critters.

 

Sometimes we do have a need for that - one of my shoots has some very long shots - if you get setup with a long-ranged rifle you can take crows out at silly ranges and have a bit of fun.

 

I don't think it's the best fox calibre unless you're using it from a vehicle and can have the heavy, long barrel that it works best with - then it's very good.

 

Ultimately it does have its uses, but we can't get rid of every niche calibre, 204 does offer something that the others don't - with the right barrel its ballistics are seriously good.

[blackfox 9]

All well and good if you speak from experience....

 

204 is popular with the Yanks because it is probably about the best varmint calibre. It uses less powder and bullet to do as good a job as 22-250, and it does reach out very explosively for the little critters.

 

Sometimes we do have a need for that - one of my shoots has some very long shots - if you get setup with a long-ranged rifle you can take crows out at silly ranges and have a bit of fun.

 

I don't think it's the best fox calibre unless you're using it from a vehicle and can have the heavy, long barrel that it works best with - then it's very good.

 

Ultimately it does have its uses, but we can't get rid of every niche calibre, 204 does offer something that the others don't - with the right barrel its ballistics are seriously good.

 

 

 

 

Logic, a very good reply, i agree with the the of the heavy/varmint barrel.

 

Its also cost wise as factory ammo is cheap compared to .22-250. Also there is noise - my .204 with a pes t12 is sooooo much quieter than my mates .223 with a T4 and a .22-250 with a t8.

 

 

 

Reloading uses less powder, i was also told by firearms if i wanted a .22 CF i would have to do a DSC-1 even tho at the moment im not intrested in deer. Its very desctuctive on foxes! get the [bANNED TEXT] bullet sorted for your rilfe and its flatter than a .22-250

[bob.243 8,998]

bob.243, you thinking of becoming a member of the .204 club then?

 

Cheers sam

Hi Blackfox,

I'm just having a think about getting a lighter CF caliber somewhere in between my rim fires IE .17HMR, .22LR, and my .22-250, for foxes, I want it because from time to time I shoot close to residential houses at night (some have tree huggers within thier walls) on the edge of some my permissions, and I find the crack from my .22-250 even with the t8 moderator is quite loud.

So I was thinking of a .204, .22Hornet, or .222, as an addition to my Cert. if my FAO agrees, I use my .22-250 also for roe, so I would not be giving this one up.

 

Bob.

[Deker 3,478]

bob.243, you thinking of becoming a member of the .204 club then?

 

Cheers sam

Hi Blackfox,

I'm just having a think about getting a lighter CF caliber somewhere in between my rim fires IE .17HMR, .22LR, and my .22-250, for foxes, I want it because from time to time I shoot close to residential houses at night (some have tree huggers within thier walls) on the edge of some my permissions, and I find the crack from my .22-250 even with the t8 moderator is quite loud.

So I was thinking of a .204, .22Hornet, or .222, as an addition to my Cert. if my FAO agrees, I use my .22-250 also for roe, so I would not be giving this one up.

 

Bob.

 

Reading the above, the Hornet stands out for me as the one to get!

[bob.243 8,998]

All well and good if you speak from experience....

 

204 is popular with the Yanks because it is probably about the best varmint calibre. It uses less powder and bullet to do as good a job as 22-250, and it does reach out very explosively for the little critters.

 

Sometimes we do have a need for that - one of my shoots has some very long shots - if you get setup with a long-ranged rifle you can take crows out at silly ranges and have a bit of fun.

 

I don't think it's the best fox calibre unless you're using it from a vehicle and can have the heavy, long barrel that it works best with - then it's very good.

 

Ultimately it does have its uses, but we can't get rid of every niche calibre, 204 does offer something that the others don't - with the right barrel its ballistics are seriously good.

 

 

 

 

Logic, a very good reply, i agree with the the of the heavy/varmint barrel.

 

Its also cost wise as factory ammo is cheap compared to .22-250. Also there is noise - my .204 with a pes t12 is sooooo much quieter than my mates .223 with a T4 and a .22-250 with a t8.

 

 

 

Reloading uses less powder, i was also told by firearms if i wanted a .22 CF i would have to do a DSC-1 even tho at the moment im not intrested in deer. Its very desctuctive on foxes! get the [bANNED TEXT] bullet sorted for your rilfe and its flatter than a .22-250

Hi Blackfox,

 

It is not a requirement in law that you need a DSC 1 to get a CF, I think your local police force are at it, if you are a member of BASC, I would have a word with them and seek advice, even if your not a member, it would still be worth while contacting them.

 

Bob.

[bob.243 8,998]

bob.243, you thinking of becoming a member of the .204 club then?

 

Cheers sam

Hi Blackfox,

I'm just having a think about getting a lighter CF caliber somewhere in between my rim fires IE .17HMR, .22LR, and my .22-250, for foxes, I want it because from time to time I shoot close to residential houses at night (some have tree huggers within thier walls) on the edge of some my permissions, and I find the crack from my .22-250 even with the t8 moderator is quite loud.

So I was thinking of a .204, .22Hornet, or .222, as an addition to my Cert. if my FAO agrees, I use my .22-250 also for roe, so I would not be giving this one up.

 

Bob.

 

Reading the above, the Hornet stands out for me as the one to get!

[bob.243 8,998]

bob.243, you thinking of becoming a member of the .204 club then?

 

Cheers sam

Hi Blackfox,

I'm just having a think about getting a lighter CF caliber somewhere in between my rim fires IE .17HMR, .22LR, and my .22-250, for foxes, I want it because from time to time I shoot close to residential houses at night (some have tree huggers within thier walls) on the edge of some my permissions, and I find the crack from my .22-250 even with the t8 moderator is quite loud.

So I was thinking of a .204, .22Hornet, or .222, as an addition to my Cert. if my FAO agrees, I use my .22-250 also for roe, so I would not be giving this one up.

 

Bob.

 

Reading the above, the Hornet stands out for me as the one to get!

Cheers Deker.

[Mr_Logic 5]

Agreed, 22 Hornet is the quieter option, it's perfect for the situation you describe, I speak from a similar experience!

[bob.243 8,998]

Agreed, 22 Hornet is the quieter option, it's perfect for the situation you describe, I speak from a similar experience!

Cheers Mr. L.

[allydog 4]

Hi mate,My brother inlaw swears by his and wont even consider any other calibre,shot it myself and was very impressed with how accurate it was and how little recoil it produced as apposed to my 22/250 and .243.

[bob.243 8,998]

Hi mate,My brother inlaw swears by his and wont even consider any other calibre,shot it myself and was very impressed with how accurate it was and how little recoil it produced as apposed to my 22/250 and .243.

Cheers Allydog

[RicW 67]

OK, I haven't built it yet but I've done a lot of my dreaded armchair research. Mr L has said that he became concerned about .204 'cos his Howa wouldn't stabilise 40gr and he was leary about using 32gr for long-range fox, while he can use up to 55gr in his .223. Absolutely fair comment. Yet Blackfox has a nominal 1-12 twist barrel which stabilises 39gr Blitzkings. I will go for a faster twist rate barrel to ensure stabilising <40gr and Hornady 45gr SJHP. I am going to need a long range fox gun for use over the Downs. If I can use 32gr that will be a bonus, but my priority will be long range fox. If I can explode BLOODY SEAGULLS then YIPPEE

 

Just to be provocative (me?) Berger supply a 50gr HP for which they recommend 1-9. That bullet should have a seriously high BC.

 

More to the point, it seems to me that if you are starting from scratch with an empty gun safe then the .204 deserves serious consideration. My long term game plan is .22lr, .22WMR, .204 then go for one of the 6mmCFs, either .243 or 6mmbr. If you already have say .222 or .223 then don't bother with .204.

 

RicW

[bobjs 28]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2719/20tac001.jpg

 

not a true 204, but a .20tactical, and its awesome.

 

just had it built for me, 22" pacnor barrel full length fluted, powder bead blasted,the action is a mini mauser short action (223) stock is a bell and carlson sport-er, pillar bedded and fully floated by myself.scope is a Bushnell banner 6-18x50,

 

load is a a 40gr hornady vmax.set at 5thou of the lands

 

24gr of rl10x

 

Dakota brass

 

cc1 400 primmer

 

running about 3800 fps+ some.

 

longest shot was last night a furry grass eating hole digging golf course monster at 312 yards. mincemeat.

 

bob.

Edited November 27, 2009 by scotland rifles

[bob.243 8,998]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2719/20tac001.jpg

 

not a true 204, but a .20tactical, and its awesome.

 

just had it built for me, 20" pacnor barrel full length fluted, powder bead blasted,the action is a mini mauser short action (223) stock is a bell and carlson sport-er, pillar bedded and fully floated by myself.scope is a Bushnell banner 6-18x50,

 

load is a a 40gr hornady vmax.set at 5thou of the lands

 

24gr of rl10x

 

Dakota brass

 

cc1 400 primmer

 

running about 3800 fps+ some.

 

longest shot was last night a furry grass eating hole digging golf course monster at 312 yards. mincemeat.

 

bob.

Looks nice SR

[bob.243 8,998]

OK, I haven't built it yet but I've done a lot of my dreaded armchair research. Mr L has said that he became concerned about .204 'cos his Howa wouldn't stabilise 40gr and he was leary about using 32gr for long-range fox, while he can use up to 55gr in his .223. Absolutely fair comment. Yet Blackfox has a nominal 1-12 twist barrel which stabilises 39gr Blitzkings. I will go for a faster twist rate barrel to ensure stabilising <40gr and Hornady 45gr SJHP. I am going to need a long range fox gun for use over the Downs. If I can use 32gr that will be a bonus, but my priority will be long range fox. If I can explode BLOODY SEAGULLS then YIPPEE

 

Just to be provocative (me?) Berger supply a 50gr HP for which they recommend 1-9. That bullet should have a seriously high BC.

 

More to the point, it seems to me that if you are starting from scratch with an empty gun safe then the .204 deserves serious consideration. My long term game plan is .22lr, .22WMR, .204 then go for one of the 6mmCFs, either .243 or 6mmbr. If you already have say .222 or .223 then don't bother with .204.

 

RicW

Cheers Ric.