Guns & Outdoors Forum

Anyone ever mess with .204 Ruger? I just ordered a Ruger American Gen 2 Predator chambered in .204 Ruger. Don't really need it as I have a 22-250 and .17 Rem but I just want a new rifle and cartridge to play with. Might end up in a chassis if I don't like the Ruger stock.

My goal is speed and accuracy out to 500 yards. With that in mind I'm thinking the 32 gr V MAX bullets should be best, but may want to play with the 24 gr Hornady NTX bullet as well. Powder recommendations and any general advice is appreciated it anyone has experience with the cartridge.

I believe Junk Collector has one he’s played with.

I have zero experience.

I believe the kiwi also has one iirc.

I had a Bushmaster AR in .204.....

The barrel fouled and shots strung high within 3 shots.

I actually have two.
A ruger K 77VT and an AR both are tackdrivers.
I use H335 in mine I've heard BLC2 is good for them.
The guns are more accurate than I can shoot quite frankly..
Orchidman does have one and he's used it to potential

Great cal. You will have a lot of fun with it.
Get hold of some 45gr Hornady soft point factory ammo.......Its performance is slightly better than a 222 rem. Have taken everything from rabbits and possums up to wild goats fallow and big red deer with them.( Neck and head shots on the bigger stuff)
I have tried to emulate the factory load with 45gr hornady projectiles but found I couldnt get up to the factory velocity.
Be careful reloading for it with any of the available projectiles though. Use very small increments to work up a load and watch diligently for pressure signs. The difference between what works and a faceful of gun can be as little as 1/10 of a grain of powder? Use a chrony when working up a load...
With the right scope and provided I do my part it is a tack driver out further than I can see to shoot.
For small game like rabbits/possums the ballistic tips will give spectacular results but on goats and upwards they will explode on fur in my experience.
Its bark is a mite loud which is why my Howa varmint has a suppressor fitted.
I found my Ruger Mk II with its pencil thin barrel heated up quickly but the heavier Howa barrel is much better. It needs cleaning after 40-50 rounds and Boretech eliminator is your friend.
Tip for cleaning....I use cotton buds cut in half...the ones with the plastic shaft. They fit in the end of the cleaning rod and are cheap.
Look forward to a range report...

I considered the 204, but ended up going with 20 Practical. Very similar ballistics, but I went with the AR platform.

I’ve found H335 gives great velocity and good enough accuracy. Benchmark gave the best accuracy, but was very slow. My 34gr hollow point load is using H335 and going just a touch over 3900 fps. It’s killed 3 coyotes so far, with some pretty impressive results. With proper load data, I’m sure working up a similar load for the 204 wouldn’t be hard.

Ordered some factory Hornady ammo - 24 and 32 gr. And some of the same Hornady bullets plus 50 pieces of Hornady brass.

Thanks for all of the input! Need to review what I have on hand powder wise and see what might work.

Jay wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 12:14 am I considered the 204, but ended up going with 20 Practical. Very similar ballistics, but I went with the AR platform.

I’ve found H335 gives great velocity and good enough accuracy. Benchmark gave the best accuracy, but was very slow. My 34gr hollow point load is using H335 and going just a touch over 3900 fps. It’s killed 3 coyotes so far, with some pretty impressive results. With proper load data, I’m sure working up a similar load for the 204 wouldn’t be hard.

F6FBBCFB-E1EC-4A18-BF40-C78BF87B5FB2.jpeg

That's moving along for a 20" barrel!

jkp wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 12:24 am

Jay wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 12:14 am I considered the 204, but ended up going with 20 Practical. Very similar ballistics, but I went with the AR platform.

I’ve found H335 gives great velocity and good enough accuracy. Benchmark gave the best accuracy, but was very slow. My 34gr hollow point load is using H335 and going just a touch over 3900 fps. It’s killed 3 coyotes so far, with some pretty impressive results. With proper load data, I’m sure working up a similar load for the 204 wouldn’t be hard.

F6FBBCFB-E1EC-4A18-BF40-C78BF87B5FB2.jpeg

That's moving along for a 20" barrel!

It’s pretty quick. Still trying to work on a 40gr Vmax load for it. The goal being a varmint and predator rig, I kept it at 20” as a happy medium. Could have gone with 24” and got a bit more speed. But turns out I really don’t need it. And adding a suppressor to it, 24” plus suppressor would have made it not so handy. But ballistically, very similar to the 204, but standard AR length.

H335 will probably be your friend to keep velocity up.

Included is a link that I think will answer your questions. I chose the Tac 20 for two reasons. First, the brass. I didn't want a proprietary cartridge. .223 brass is everywhere and easily formed. Second, the 30 degree shoulder. It makes the cartridge last longer and is very efficient. Much like an Ackley Improved.
For the uses you have for this rifle, don't overlook the 39 gr. Sierra Blitz King. One of the most accurate bullets I tested.

https://www.6mmbr.com/20caliber.html

The 20 Practical in the link is what I’m running. 20 Tac is the same thing, with a different shoulder angle. Both wildcats. Using 223 brass. Very similar ballistics, along with the 204 Ruger. Big difference being, you can buy 20 Tac dies and there is published load data for it.

But, 20P is easy. I’m using a Redding 223 Remington bushing die with a .230 titanium nitride bushing. Just neck down, prime, charge, seat. Done. Sub 1/2” groups, 3900 and some change out of a 20” AR…

cpj will own one someday, I know it haunts him.

Kansashunter wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2024 2:09 pm cpj will own one someday, I know it haunts him.

Is that what you flinched correctly with to beat me?

I don't know if I flinched or not I had my eyes closed. And yes it is a 204.