I've never had that issue up there ever. It's always been as fast as you can squeeze the trigger. I've never been in the summer though, late winter and early spring, March April time frame when I go.
Thinking about a 204 Ruger
- Thread starter gvjm
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Cemetery21
Well-Known Member
I went through 22-250, 22BR, 223AIs before discovering 20s. I could not build a 22-250 heavy enough to see hits (or misses), so it didn't work for me without a spotter. I did record my 3 longest dogs with it however. 22BR was great as was 223AI.
20s are like the 22BR, in that you just say "man, that got there fast" after shooting 223s. Have 3 20Ps now. 400 is probably the longest shot I have any business taking.
One is a 24" AR Blackhole bull barrel. It shoots about 50fps slower than the 26/27" bolt guns but runs so smooth - followup shots as quick as you could do with a 22.
Wish I had discovered 20s 10s of thousands of rounds ago. I didn't get on the 204 Ruger bandwagon since I thought they used the wrong base brass (222 Mag instead of 223). 20 Practical cured that.
20s are like the 22BR, in that you just say "man, that got there fast" after shooting 223s. Have 3 20Ps now. 400 is probably the longest shot I have any business taking.
One is a 24" AR Blackhole bull barrel. It shoots about 50fps slower than the 26/27" bolt guns but runs so smooth - followup shots as quick as you could do with a 22.
Wish I had discovered 20s 10s of thousands of rounds ago. I didn't get on the 204 Ruger bandwagon since I thought they used the wrong base brass (222 Mag instead of 223). 20 Practical cured that.
It's a fun round. After decades hunting with 22-250, 22-250AI and 6mm Rem AI, it is so cool to be able to see the bullet impact on varmints. Mine (see avatar) has a 1" bull and shoots in the .3s and 4s. I shot N140 and 32 gr V-max for years, but wanted to try Berger's 35 gr flat base. I've got 7 ladders set up for a range session later today.
65WSM
Well-Known Member
Although in a bolt gun, I believe the case shape makes the .20 PPC more accurate, what I like most about the .204 Ruger is the speed of the bullets. When my barrel gets too hot and I choose a .224 rifle from the rack, it seems like it takes forever before the bullets get to the target. It isn't 'till you get to the .22-250 Ackley, .22 Creedmore or Swift velocities that you get to the target as efficiently. The .224 cartridges with speed, suffer from barrel life in the hundreds, not thousands and the recoil obscures your view of the hit or miss. Not to mention how fast the powder goes at 40 grains a pop.
My 20PPCAI is making a believer outta me!
We shoot Sierra 204 BK 39gr with H4895 26.8gr at around 3800fps. Ruger 36" Varmint getting 0.162 five shot groups @100. Got pictures posted somewhere else on this site. I did some extra work on factory MKII 77 rifle that we bought in 2004 Barrel has probably 2,500 rounds - huge free bore from new and re-crowned recently with 11degrees and put a suppressor on. Actually increased accuracy better than when it was new. Jill was shooting yesterday and 96% hit rate (75 shot) from 300 to 500 yds on a 4" plates with 5-15 mph winds. .204 SBK 39gr buck the wind well and shoot like a laser. Devastating on chucks, PD and coyotes.
slickshot223
Active Member
Stop thinking and go get one, you will not be unhappy,!! I have several 223's, have not shot one since buying a 204!! Mine loves 39 gr Sierras and H335!! Totally wrecks ground hogs!!
I have to agree it's not hard to cap off 300+ rounds if the Sod Poodles are in abundance.
I've had 700 round days in a good rat patch
victocast
Member
I have a browning x bolt in 204 ruger and I use my reloads and it is lights out. The glass on it is the vortex crossfire. the recoil is managable. I have never used an AR to hunt with but the bolt action rifle is great. In my opinion I love my browning x bolt
