Calling Bushmaster and other yote slayers - 204 Ruger

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So have wanted a 204 ruger for awhile but after doing some research it seems its not all what is was cracked up to be. Lower fps than claimed and many acounts of not dropping yotes like other rounds. Anyone have one or info/suggestions.

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what cartridge are you comparing it to ?

The 204 will push a 40 gr pill just under 4K fps and is laser beam flat. 0 at 200 yds will be .5" high at 100 yds and 4" low at 300 yds. Buy a Tikka T3 and it will shoot 1/2" groups all day long if you do your part. Because the bullet is travelling so fast, animals die from "hydrostatic shock" with proper shot placement. I've been shooting custom .17 and .20 caliber wildcat rifles for years and they get the job done.

500 yd coyote kill .. fst fwd to 2:00

crow at 467 yds

coyote DRT 2:30 min mark

Just read some reviews and that was something I noticed, was just wondering what the board thought. Guess I will stick with it and see if I can find a deal.

I think there are some on sale at Euro Optics right now but work has it blocked.

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I always wanted a 22-250 for varmints. It's a barrel burner though

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Not necessarily as it depends on the frequency and duration between shots fired. I’ve seen throat erosion in 22-250 barrels that were fired 1500-2000 rds by prairie dog shooters who never let their barrels cool. Repetitive firing under extreme high temperatures can ruin any barrel regardless of chambering. A 22-250 barrel can last 3500-4000 rds. providing you allow the barrel to cool between every 5-10 shots fired.

Can't hate the man for product research. Hell, I've learned a ton more about the outdoors in general by reading the OB's opinion on subjects.

I picked up the CZ the other day, getting the 30 cal built after the season. Not sure what else I have asked the board about. I almost got the savage in 204 thats on sale but got cold feet.

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So have wanted a 204 ruger for awhile but after doing some research it seems its not all what is was cracked up to be. Lower fps than claimed and many acounts of not dropping yotes like other rounds. Anyone have one or info/suggestions.

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Yeah, 204 Ruger factory ammo muzzle velocities run less than advertised, just like EVERY factory round/ammo usually does. Regardless, the factory ammo runs plenty fast enough to do the job. I'd curious to know who's disappointed w/ using it to hunt coyotes.

I don't own a 204, but my son in law does. I've loaded for it and watched him shoot a bunch of prairie doges w/ it. My buddy was so impressed he bought a 204. I was so impressed I built a 20 Practical rifle. The 20 Practical uses 223 Rem brass necked down to 20 caliber to come w/in 100 fps of the 204 muzzle velocity. My only knock on the 204 is disappointing quality and sporadic availability of brass.

I bet your Tactical was a good shooting gun. I considered building a 20 Tactical instead of the Practical, but I didn't want to bother w/ fireforming the Tactical. I've done a lot of that through the years and would just as soon skip it going forward if possible. I used a Stevens Model 200 in 270 Win as the donor rifle. The 20 Practical barrel is a Shilen. I use Lapua brass, Nosler Varminator plastic tipped bullets and H322 powder. It's a good prairie dog gun!

30-06 worked like a charm on one yesterday