Would love to hear about experiences of this calibre, first or second hand knowledge!

I have looked on all the various related sites on the internet and can see mixed opinions about this calibre. Personally I reckon it boils down too the various other 20 cal users knocking a factory produced rifle, most of the others are custom makes, therefore maybe better tolerances etc so better accuracy? (With factory rifles you generaly either get a good one or a baddy!).

Was thinking along the lines of a Howa - have got a concern that it is a long action? any need to be concerned? Does it have a long throat, therefore a long "bullet jump" from neck to rifling (anybody loading for this in the UK?).

Cost is a consideration but have gone down the custom route before and I don't have any regrets of the expense due to the performance achieved, but it is hard to swallow at the time!

I am looking for a crow and fox rifle....

For what you are shooting the .204 is outstanding. You will love being able to see your shoots impact on target. No, absolutly no muzzle jump. I shoot a .204 Ruger m77 with a leupold 6x18. Absolutly incredible to see when
you bullet impacts the target.

No experience with this cartridge - yet; but like yourself find the idea of a .204 Ruger very interesting - Crows - I can can picture one appearing as though someone shot a pillow full of black feathers - YES!

Perhaps a Tikka T3 Super Varmint - I was on their link anyway......?

http://www.tikka.fi/

Nightwalker

I have no experience of the .204 other than speaking to others who are impressed with the preformance.

On the Howa front though I can comment and you will not regret getting a Howa. I cannot get over the build quality of these rifles for the money. In my opinion the are very close in quality to a Sako and less than half the money.

We got one in .270 a few months ago and no exaggeration it was putting in .3 groups and better with a handload recipe we found to shoot well in a T3 we used to have.

The only thing I will say is that the 22-250 is an excellent foxing/crow round (if it aint broke don't fix it philosophy) and would meet your criteria perfectly. If you want to see your bullet strike you will also see it with the .22-250 (sure you probably know this anyway but just thought I would make the point.

On the Howa front again I think they are incredible value but also more than just incredible value.

Crows and foxes.....the .22 Hornet is ideal, and if the ranges are not more than75 yards or so, the little .22 Magnum would work very well.
I have never shot or owned a .204, but fail to see the need for it with the already available
calibers.