I am wanting to augment my battery with a rig for small game/prarie dog type shooting. I would put squirrels and the like on the list too I suppose.

I was considering one of the Sako quads, which has like the 22 WMR and 17 HMR barrels, but thought something like a varmint model in 204 Ruger would be more versatile. From what I can discern so far, 150 yards is kind of max for the 17 and 22 rimfires too??

If the 204 is the way to go, is there another centerfire close to it I should consider??

223 or AI if so inclinded.

With the exception of hunting season I shoot almost exclusively sub .22 caliber varmint rounds, most of em wildcats. I love em for what your describing. Very little powder used, don't heat up much and the biggie I always mention is you see all the action in the scope cause they have virtually no recoil. Are you a reloader?

montdoug, I do reload quite a bit, I've seen a lot of good comments on the 204, so that's why it hit my radar. I liked the idea of the Sako quad, but a Sako varmint rig with the set trigger which can be had in 204, sounds pretty good to me.....

Logistics go to 223 plus a bunch better bullets.

I played with the sub 22s for a while. They are excellent performers with great accuracy, ability to see your hits, cheap to shoot, and very low recoil.

On the other side, sub 22 calibers require at least an extra $100 in special equipment. Powder funnels, cleaning rods, cleaning patches, cleaning brushes, etc. The bullets are a pain if you have big fingers. Ammo is available everywhere at low prices created by volume sales. Just some real life feedback on sub 22s and why I would stick with a good 223 or 22-250.

Fish30114
The .204 will give you a huge distance/wind advantage etc over the rim fires etc as well as a large number of larger conventional varmint rounds while using less powder, with less recoil (that seeing the hit's thing, big fun as you spot for yourself), less barrel heat etc. The only negative (if it is one) is a really long throat on the factory chambers, in spite of that a lot of factory chambers seem to shoot very well.
I've never seen one but the posts I've seen in the big majority seem to agree that the Sako Quad is not in keeping with the usual standard of excellence Sako is known for as far as quality (lot's of plastic I've heard). Most seem to feel it's significantly overpriced. If I were just to go out and buy a .17 HMR as a tool for rat whacking I'd buy a CZ 452 (and then get Eric Brooks trigger kit $15.00) or I'd buy a CZ 453 that comes with a single set trigger as is. If I wanted an HMR in the $$$ bracket of the Sako I'd get a Cooper model 57 or an Anschutz. Probably the biggest argument against the .17 HMR is price of ammo and the size of varmints it's used on, I do not personally see it as a coyote round over about 50 or 60 yards although I'm sure some guys have killed em with it farther. Having said that I shot a badger which I see equal to a coyote in toughness at about 165 yards, it's not a shot I'd have normally taken but the rancher whose land I was on woulda clipped my nuggets if he knew I saw a badger in his pasture while in possession of a weapon and didn't take a poke at it. I was aiming at it's head but it wind drifted a couple inches and hit it in the neck, it took one bite of dirt and stopped. No drama, just dead.
My buddy and I shoot ground squirrels (we call em gophers around here) regularly at 150 to 175ish yards with our HMR's. On p-dogs 150 yards IMO is about the end of the earth with em and closer is probably better.
A new round you might consider that I'm having a lot of fun with is Remington's new .17 Fire Ball. Just a slightly different version of the .17 MachIV us small caliber loonies have been having a ball with for years. 16 to 18 grains of powder and the explosive 25 grain V-Max clock's 3,800ish+ or a 20 grain V-Max at 4,000+ FPS. Next to no barrel heat, ya see all the hits, cheap to reload, lot's of upside, serious rat spreader and again "you'll see every hit" (or miss as the case may be ). Basically a .221 Fire Ball necked to .17 caliber with 30 degree shoulders. Just a thought. I love all of em, if it goes boom I love it.

P.S.
30378 is indeed right on the sub's. Different cleaning rod at $35.00ish for a good one as well as 3/4 inch patches and a different funnel. Probably another $20.00 or $25.00.Maybe a few extras, possibly a hundred? maybe a bit less? But he's right. Ya gotta pay to play . Only thing he said which is something I've heard before that I disagree with for me is the finger size bullets thing. I'm 5'11 and a 1/2", weight close to 200lbs and personally I have zero problems picking up bullets but some guys must figure they do or they wouldn't say so. I have none personally with the .17's and even less than none with the .20's. One of those personal preference deals I guess.
Oh,and I didn't say I sold my .223's and .22-250's I just haven't shot em in 8 or 9 years

quote:

Originally posted by montdoug:
... I was aiming at it's head but the wind(EDIT IN: did what it normally does) ...

Chesty would have had a fit!

Can't even count a shot that far off from the intented POI. Good GOSH!!!

I guess the wind was roaring at 1/2mph???
-----

Hey Fish, Even those tiny 22cal Bullets make right fine "Bearings" on the floor of the Reloading Room. Maybe the 17s would just fall in the cracks and disappear.

Wind is a given out here Hot Core. Take the / out of the 1/2 giving you 12 is a calm day. Eastern Montana actually makes the wind for Wyoming, you probably didn't know that . We use logging chain for wind flags Chesty'd be proud dude back at ya. Semper Fi! Oh, and a Merry Christmas.

Great stuff guys. Thanks a lot, I'll be putting it to use, I've got a 223 'Tiger Cat' rifle coming from Serengeti based on a Sako III M-75 action--Krieger tube and the Serengeti stock based on a Sauer 202 Geometry!

The CZ or Cooper recommendation is good, It sounds like I may just have to go with 2 rigs--a 204 and 17!!!

Merry Christmas to all---Don

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU FOLKS TOO! Oooohhhh-Rraaahhh!

Of course you can't get something for nothing so decisions mustbe made. If range dictates something larger than the itty-bitty cartridges so be it, but if you stay within 150yds and are looking for inexpensive little is the way to go.
I started over 55 yrs ago with a 17Bee and was quite pleased with that and that was before most people ever HEARD of 17 calibre. If mymemory is correct Sisk was the ONLY bullet mmaker at the time. Later bought an H&R 17 and still later a 17Rem. Admittedly they are a chore to load and the powder does have to be literally put in a grain at a time it seems,and you must have a special rod and so on but you have to have those things for whatever you load. I have discovered the world of 17 rimfire and think it's the place to be. I said when Kimber brought out a 17 I'd buy one so when they came out with the 17Mach2 I bought one of their Classic Varmints and put a 4.5x14 Leupold on it and went to the range. The first 5 rounds at 50 yards put one about .20 caliber hole in the target. Actually thought I had missed the target it was such a small group. Went out for ground squirrels and it was devastating on them out to 100yds. Drifts pretty bad in a stiff wind after that. First coyote went straight down no problem, second one was not so good. Unless you take them right behind the ear it's just not enough cartrdge. Rethinking things I decided to try the 17HMR. Bought a Savage 94R17 with the laminated thumbhole stock (it's the purple laminated they made as a special run) and put a 4.5x14 Leupold on it and headed to the range. It's just as accurate as the 17Mach2 and it will take a coyote clean at 150yds and seems to buck the wind a little better. The reloading is a snap,just pick up a box of 50 and load the clip. It does require the special rod however. Have never seen or fired a 204 so can't compare at all. Do have a couple of 223's and believe I prefer the 17's,no recoil,low noise and cheap shooting. As long as I keep my shots reasonable I don't think I'll take a backseat to anyone. Coyote is DEFINITELY the top end of game though and then only with a careful shot. They are so darn accurate to shoot that shot placement within 150yds isn't a problem. Have not and probably will not try them at any longer ranges. I just can't judge wind at all.

Go with the 204 and have fun.