HIstory: Many varmint and target shooters often find comfort in shooting the .22/.250 and .223 for its fast flying, accurate and low recoil rounds. The .204 Ruger offers the same comforts but better. The .204 was created by a joint effort Hornady Ammunition and Ruger arms. This round was created in 2004 by using a .222 Remington Magnum case and necking it down to 20 caliber. This round became the first commercial 20 caliber round produced on a large scale. The .204 Ruger received the Academy of Excellence 2004 Cartridge of the Year Award.
Velocities in Comparison: The .204 is capable of muzzle velocities well over 4300 FPS with a 32 grain Bullet. The .40 grain bullet can also produce remarkable muzzle velocities in excess of 3800 FPS. When compared to the .22/.250 which is available in a 40 grain bullet, packs a mean 3900 FPS. Where as the .223 can maybe push 3400 FPS on a good Day. When comparing the .22/.250 and the .204, you might notice that velocities on the .22/.250 are 100 FPS more. This is where it gets interesting. While the .204 uses a parent case .222 Rem Mag, it only uses roughly around 30 grains of powder. Where as the .22/.250 uses the parent case of a .250-3000 Savage, uses roughly 40 grains of powder. From the average shooter aspect that may not me a big deal, but from a re-loaders aspect that's a lot of powder for 100 FPS. With all that said, I'm sure that 3900 FPS is achievable through the 40 grain .204 bullet with out having to use another 10 grains of powder.
Range in Comparision:With all three rounds sighted in at 100 yards lets look into the drop of each. The .204 with a 32 grain bullet looses 1" at 200 yards, 5.5" at 300 yards, and 15" at 400 yards. The .223 with a 36 grain bullet looses 2.3" at 200 yards, 10.5" at 300 yards, and 29" at 400 yards. The .22/.250 with a 36 grain bullet looses 1.4" at 200 yards, 7.5" 300 yards, and 20.8" at 400 yards. The .204 offers a flatter shooting round out to 400 yards. After 400 yards the .204 drops nearly 2 times the amount of drop every 100 yards. Although the .22/.250 and the .223 are using a 36 grain bullet, the amount of powder they are burning is significantly larger than the .204.
The Right Rifle for You: For those considering getting a .204 Ruger, stay away from the name Ruger. Although Ruger and hornady made the round, Ruger lacks the accuracy and technology of other rifle manufactures. I currently own a .204 Ruger in a CZ-527, and i must say the Czechs now their guns. This gun which is modeled after a Mauser style action, offers a smooth accurate rifle right out of the box. For roughly $600, the CZ-527 is the best for the money. The Remington 700 offers the .204 Ruger also. The Remington rifles that I have shot are fairly accurate and smooth. I would stay away from cheaper rifles due to the fact that the .204's barrel life is excellent and will last for a long time. Spend the money first rather than spending more later.
Hunting: You might ask how a little 20 caliber round could kill anything besides a squirrel. I think i have pushed the .204 to the limits and still have found them. I have taken 450 lbs hogs, numerous whitetail, prairie dogs, Varmints, and turkey with the .204 and have had no problems. With hogs a head shot is a must, but it should be with any caliber. With deer, i have shot them in the shoulder and in the head and have had good results.
Reloading: Each rifle is going to shot differently due to barrel twist ratio's. But i have found that 29.3 grains of reloader 10 offers great accuracy, plenty of velocity, and has a sweet spot for penetration. But i recommend playing with the round too. You wont be disappointed.
Velocities in Comparison: The .204 is capable of muzzle velocities well over 4300 FPS with a 32 grain Bullet. The .40 grain bullet can also produce remarkable muzzle velocities in excess of 3800 FPS. When compared to the .22/.250 which is available in a 40 grain bullet, packs a mean 3900 FPS. Where as the .223 can maybe push 3400 FPS on a good Day. When comparing the .22/.250 and the .204, you might notice that velocities on the .22/.250 are 100 FPS more. This is where it gets interesting. While the .204 uses a parent case .222 Rem Mag, it only uses roughly around 30 grains of powder. Where as the .22/.250 uses the parent case of a .250-3000 Savage, uses roughly 40 grains of powder. From the average shooter aspect that may not me a big deal, but from a re-loaders aspect that's a lot of powder for 100 FPS. With all that said, I'm sure that 3900 FPS is achievable through the 40 grain .204 bullet with out having to use another 10 grains of powder.
Range in Comparision:With all three rounds sighted in at 100 yards lets look into the drop of each. The .204 with a 32 grain bullet looses 1" at 200 yards, 5.5" at 300 yards, and 15" at 400 yards. The .223 with a 36 grain bullet looses 2.3" at 200 yards, 10.5" at 300 yards, and 29" at 400 yards. The .22/.250 with a 36 grain bullet looses 1.4" at 200 yards, 7.5" 300 yards, and 20.8" at 400 yards. The .204 offers a flatter shooting round out to 400 yards. After 400 yards the .204 drops nearly 2 times the amount of drop every 100 yards. Although the .22/.250 and the .223 are using a 36 grain bullet, the amount of powder they are burning is significantly larger than the .204.
The Right Rifle for You: For those considering getting a .204 Ruger, stay away from the name Ruger. Although Ruger and hornady made the round, Ruger lacks the accuracy and technology of other rifle manufactures. I currently own a .204 Ruger in a CZ-527, and i must say the Czechs now their guns. This gun which is modeled after a Mauser style action, offers a smooth accurate rifle right out of the box. For roughly $600, the CZ-527 is the best for the money. The Remington 700 offers the .204 Ruger also. The Remington rifles that I have shot are fairly accurate and smooth. I would stay away from cheaper rifles due to the fact that the .204's barrel life is excellent and will last for a long time. Spend the money first rather than spending more later.
Hunting: You might ask how a little 20 caliber round could kill anything besides a squirrel. I think i have pushed the .204 to the limits and still have found them. I have taken 450 lbs hogs, numerous whitetail, prairie dogs, Varmints, and turkey with the .204 and have had no problems. With hogs a head shot is a must, but it should be with any caliber. With deer, i have shot them in the shoulder and in the head and have had good results.
Reloading: Each rifle is going to shot differently due to barrel twist ratio's. But i have found that 29.3 grains of reloader 10 offers great accuracy, plenty of velocity, and has a sweet spot for penetration. But i recommend playing with the round too. You wont be disappointed.
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