Lewdan 17 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 OK Guys, my ticket is up for renewal june this year, been thinking about adding a new calibre at same time, i have recently posted threads here for information about getting started in deer shooting / stalking and i know for this i would need at least a 243 cal, but cant make up my mind if i really want to get into stalking ect Anyway at the moment i use .22rim for rabbits and .22K hornet for fox (out to 200yds max )thinking about a calibre that gives me a little more in energy and range, this is when .204 came to mind i know its been asked before but any info please on availability and veriety of heads, powders, new brass, what is this cal like to reload, accuracy, effective killing range for fox,would appreciate feedback from anyone who use this cal for hunting any web sites i can visit for information--Thanks in advance. LD Quote Link to post
SNAP SHOT 194 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 i've had a mate shoot crows over 500 yards away with the .204, he's using 32g and 39g heads and reloader 10 as the powder... its capable of taking fox well past the 300 yard mark, if your on the ball... Accuracy with some rifles depends, he had a ruger .204, and it was a tack driver, he then changed for the sako 85 in .204 for the drop mag, and it simply wouldn't play ball at all, i thought it was a howa he then bought but he's told me it was a remy .204, its really on the money and will shoot 1/4 moa on a good day. and 1/2 inch all day no probs... he's tried teh 40g heads but they simply wouldn't shoot accurately for the factory twists, 39g blitzkings do the biz... Wind will be an issue on long range but like with most calibres, once you know whats happening you can take it into consideration. http://www.rugerhunting.com/ ATB. Snap. Quote Link to post
JonathanL 4 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 i've had a mate shoot crows over 500 yards away with the .204, he's using 32g and 39g heads and reloader 10 as the powder... its capable of taking fox well past the 300 yard mark, if your on the ball... Accuracy with some rifles depends, he had a ruger .204, and it was a tack driver, he then changed for the sako 85 in .204 for the drop mag, and it simply wouldn't play ball at all, i thought it was a howa he then bought but he's told me it was a remy .204, its really on the money and will shoot 1/4 moa on a good day. and 1/2 inch all day no probs... he's tried teh 40g heads but they simply wouldn't shoot accurately for the factory twists, 39g blitzkings do the biz... Wind will be an issue on long range but like with most calibres, once you know whats happening you can take it into consideration. http://www.rugerhunting.com/ ATB. Snap. Do you know if your mate has chronographed his reloads? I remember reading at the time the .204 came out that people were having trouble replicating factory ballistics. I forget why but I have the idea that it was because whatever powder the factories were using wan't availavle to reloaders? J. Quote Link to post
Lewdan 17 Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 i've had a mate shoot crows over 500 yards away with the .204, he's using 32g and 39g heads and reloader 10 as the powder... its capable of taking fox well past the 300 yard mark, if your on the ball... Accuracy with some rifles depends, he had a ruger .204, and it was a tack driver, he then changed for the sako 85 in .204 for the drop mag, and it simply wouldn't play ball at all, i thought it was a howa he then bought but he's told me it was a remy .204, its really on the money and will shoot 1/4 moa on a good day. and 1/2 inch all day no probs... he's tried teh 40g heads but they simply wouldn't shoot accurately for the factory twists, 39g blitzkings do the biz... Wind will be an issue on long range but like with most calibres, once you know whats happening you can take it into consideration. http://www.rugerhunting.com/ ATB. Snap. Thanks Snap ,much appreciated and very interesting web site. LD Quote Link to post
SNAP SHOT 194 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 i've had a mate shoot crows over 500 yards away with the .204, he's using 32g and 39g heads and reloader 10 as the powder... its capable of taking fox well past the 300 yard mark, if your on the ball... Accuracy with some rifles depends, he had a ruger .204, and it was a tack driver, he then changed for the sako 85 in .204 for the drop mag, and it simply wouldn't play ball at all, i thought it was a howa he then bought but he's told me it was a remy .204, its really on the money and will shoot 1/4 moa on a good day. and 1/2 inch all day no probs... he's tried teh 40g heads but they simply wouldn't shoot accurately for the factory twists, 39g blitzkings do the biz... Wind will be an issue on long range but like with most calibres, once you know whats happening you can take it into consideration. http://www.rugerhunting.com/ ATB. Snap. Do you know if your mate has chronographed his reloads? I remember reading at the time the .204 came out that people were having trouble replicating factory ballistics. I forget why but I have the idea that it was because whatever powder the factories were using wan't availavle to reloaders? J. hey mate, he has said that with some powders the velocity was well down, but he loves the reloader 10 and is getting near factory specs i believe... i'll ask him next time i'm talking to him... ATB. Snap. Quote Link to post
jamie g 17 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 a lad i no has 40 grain vmax shooting out of his 20 tac at 3850 with reloader 10 so it will give you the speed in the 204 Quote Link to post
RicW 67 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 I'm not speaking from experience, but I am planning to build a .204 and have done a lot of research. With regard to the gun, it is clear that, as Snap says, this round is very sensitive to the action. Ruger works well which is less than surprising since they and Hornady designed the round in the first place. The continental actions don't seem to cope well at all. But, again in line with Snap's comment, the Remington 700 looks like the dog's dodgy bits! I have found several American sites where folk have had much the same experience as Snap's mate, trying several actions and ending up with Remi's. The other factor is twist rate. This is usually 1-in-12. This stabilises 30gr and 35gr Berger, and 39gr Blitzgkings, but is marginal for Hornady 40 and 45 gr. Some have found it works with 40 but not 45gr. This may be because 1-in-12 is sometimes 1-in-nearly-13, sometimes 1-in-just-over-11. Berger make 50 and 55 gr, but state that they need 1-in-9. 1-in-11 might be a good compromise for 30 - 45 gr. Given the muzzle velocity of C4000+fps, a faster rate than 1-in-11 might cause the lighter thin-skinned rounds to break up in flight. Hornady have stated that hand-loaders will not be able to match the maximum mv attainable with their own factory ammo, as they use a powder which is not available commercially. Wind sensitivity is better than 22-250. The long .204 bullets have a higher Ballistic Coefficient, which compensates for the light weight. I'm expecting Blackfox to enter the discussion. He rolls his own, so I am going to leave it him to comment on that aspect! RicW Quote Link to post
SNAP SHOT 194 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 i believe the best compromise for the 40g would be 1 in 11, i believe border barrels are now making a barrel for the .204, and have built a few rifles to find a good twist rate.. i was surprised to see the sako not being the most accurate for a change, and also had problems extracting the round at times... As you also state the twist could be marginally either side of the 1 in 12, hence leading to one gun shooting the 40's and the same make not liking them at all. it's a cracking round to shoot, and when a load is developed extremely accurate outta the box..... looking forward to seeing what you get to build ric. Snap. Quote Link to post
RicW 67 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 i believe the best compromise for the 40g would be 1 in 11, i believe border barrels are now making a barrel for the .204, and have built a few rifles to find a good twist rate.. i was surprised to see the sako not being the most accurate for a change, and also had problems extracting the round at times... As you also state the twist could be marginally either side of the 1 in 12, hence leading to one gun shooting the 40's and the same make not liking them at all. it's a cracking round to shoot, and when a load is developed extremely accurate outta the box..... looking forward to seeing what you get to build ric.Snap. Not as much as I am! Quote Link to post
blackfox 9 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Well Lewdan... where to start Thinking of a .204 eh?? good man! just be aware that to get the best from your .204 you will have to put time into reloading, with the help of some very helpful users im starting to get some good results . I cant seem to work the Hornady V-Max 32`s or 40`s, but the sierras & H322 work like a treat and are very destructive.... Bullets and cases are avaliable from all sensible RFD`s if not in stock they can order. Cases nearly always in stock at midwayuk.com . Powder wise ive heard Reloader 10 is what to go for, personally im gonna stick with H322 for now. Id go for a heavy barrel, and with a 1 in 12 twist it will have to be a 26" barrel - dont be tempted to cut down as you will loose a lot of velocity. Ive got a Remington 700 SPS Varmint, HS- Precision stock, MAE T-12 Moderator, IOR Rings and scope base, IOR 6-25x50 scope, and bi-pod. Together it makes a pretty good package. Anyways, i couldnt reccomend the .204 more Cheers Sam P.S Ric, I got the IOR mounted today and IMHO is excellent, also got some new loads cooked up and will be trying them out when the weather is better - i zeroed-in whilst it was raining. Quote Link to post
RicW 67 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Well Lewdan... where to start Thinking of a .204 eh?? good man! just be aware that to get the best from your .204 you will have to put time into reloading, with the help of some very helpful users im starting to get some good results . I cant seem to work the Hornady V-Max 32`s or 40`s, but the sierras & H322 work like a treat and are very destructive.... Bullets and cases are avaliable from all sensible RFD`s if not in stock they can order. Cases nearly always in stock at midwayuk.com . Powder wise ive heard Reloader 10 is what to go for, personally im gonna stick with H322 for now. Id go for a heavy barrel, and with a 1 in 12 twist it will have to be a 26" barrel - dont be tempted to cut down as you will loose a lot of velocity. Ive got a Remington 700 SPS Varmint, HS- Precision stock, MAE T-12 Moderator, IOR Rings and scope base, IOR 6-25x50 scope, and bi-pod. Together it makes a pretty good package. Anyways, i couldnt reccomend the .204 more Cheers Sam P.S Ric, I got the IOR mounted today and IMHO is excellent, also got some new loads cooked up and will be trying them out when the weather is better - i zeroed-in whilst it was raining. Quote Link to post
blackfox 9 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 pps, a lad i know has a Howa 1500 and can get 4000+ fps. Sam Quote Link to post
RicW 67 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Well Lewdan... where to start Thinking of a .204 eh?? good man! just be aware that to get the best from your .204 you will have to put time into reloading, with the help of some very helpful users im starting to get some good results . I cant seem to work the Hornady V-Max 32`s or 40`s, but the sierras & H322 work like a treat and are very destructive.... Bullets and cases are avaliable from all sensible RFD`s if not in stock they can order. Cases nearly always in stock at midwayuk.com . Powder wise ive heard Reloader 10 is what to go for, personally im gonna stick with H322 for now. Id go for a heavy barrel, and with a 1 in 12 twist it will have to be a 26" barrel - dont be tempted to cut down as you will loose a lot of velocity. Ive got a Remington 700 SPS Varmint, HS- Precision stock, MAE T-12 Moderator, IOR Rings and scope base, IOR 6-25x50 scope, and bi-pod. Together it makes a pretty good package. Anyways, i couldnt reccomend the .204 more Cheers Sam P.S Ric, I got the IOR mounted today and IMHO is excellent, also got some new loads cooked up and will be trying them out when the weather is better - i zeroed-in whilst it was raining. Sam - thanks for that! Given my dodgy eyesight I expect to go for a high mag sight. I'm still havering between 6-24 and 8-32. What reticle does the IOR have? Since my shooting is likely to be long range, over the Downs, I'm attracted by the idea of a very simple thin crosshair sight. I don't want a "ballistic reticle" with a load of junk getting in the way of the sight picture. I'd sooner get a good laser rangefinder and dial in the drop. Sounds like the IOR goes on the list of possibles along with Swarovsky, S&B, Zeiss, and Kahles. Lewdan - I totally agree with Sam about barrel length. This is NOT a stalking calibre. You are gonna be a sniper not a stalker! Stand off and pick 'em off. If you want a stalking gun or a moocher go for a heavier calibre that will still perform with a short barrel. This is all Mr Armchair from me though, so pay attention to the guys who have been there, done that! Ric Quote Link to post
jamie g 17 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 speed isnt everything lads accuracy is the key. but you all no that. shame most 204's wont shoot 40's you could shoot heavier bullets with aftermarket barrel. but you would be losing the point of what the 204 is good at then Quote Link to post
RicW 67 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 speed isnt everything lads accuracy is the key. but you all no that. shame most 204's wont shoot 40's you could shoot heavier bullets with aftermarket barrel. but you would be losing the point of what the 204 is good at then We shall see! If my game plan works out I'll be using a 1-in-11 twist which should stabilise up to 45gr and still hit 3800 fps. Ric Quote Link to post
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