I am thinking about a new varmint rifle and was wondering what I can expect in the way of accuracy from the 204 ?

Accuract is not dependant on caliber. It's a function of precision of equipment and a match to the ammo it's shooting.
My recommendation to anyone looking for a varmint cartridge based on a 3/8" diameter case is clearly the .223. It'll drive 40 grain bullets to 3.800'/sec and heavier bullets a bit slower. It's very cheap to load for and will stand toe to toe in the dog towns with a .204

Based on the reports I've read accuracy of the 204 is spotty but most folks report good accuracy. Mine sucked but it was one I made.....Maybe I didn't do something as good as it should have been done.

hunt4ever
I have a 26 inch, 204 Ruger barrel on my Encore and with my handloads with 32 grain V-Max bullets, I can shoot .330 groups and with Hornady factory 32 grain V-Max loads I can shoot 3/8 inch groups!
My handload velocity is 4125 fps!

Thanks Chuck that was the info I was looking for ! I know accuracy is dependant on so many factors , but some cals. are very picky and others will shoot any load well.If I dont handload I have to depend on whats on the shelf...

hunt4ever
I forgot to mention that I tried a box of 40 grain V-Max Factory Loads and they were horrible in my rifle!
I had about a 6 inch group and out of the whole box of ammo, every one of the bullets keyholed on the target!

My rifle likes 32 grainers!

hunt4ever......In my experience , the 204 is extremely non-fussy and very easy to load for accuracy . Every thing from a mid-range load with the 32 gr Vmax and H322 thru hot screamers with IMR4320 and the various 40 grainers has shot very well for me . Apparently some barrels will not handle the 40 gr VMax well , the standard 1 in 12 twist being on the marginal side for that one longish bullet.

I think if you comb thru a bunch of internet boards and read the experinces of folks that have actuallly given the 204 a fair trial , you will find most all of them very satisfied with the accuracy they are getting . My rifle will hang in there about 1/2 MOA with about any reasonable load .

As to the 223 running with the 204 in a dog town , my opinion is the 204 wipes the floor with the good little 223 cartridge at longish ranges .

Take a look at http://www.rugerhunting.com . Lot of info about the 204 Ruger. My 32 Gr reloads out of a Ruger Target Varmint rifle makes 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds.

I have a CZ527 204,leupold VX-III 3x9. I have managed 1/2 inch groups with factory ammo and on occassion i have all three shots touching...Hence one hole. Mainly used for p-dogs crows, crats, and other various varmits... As far as the earlier 223 comment...I have been side by side-204 vs 223 on the same p-dog at 400 yards...The 204 hit is mark after the 223 missed short. Maybe the shooter, maybe the gun ...your call. I am going to purchase another 204, maybe two!


Make every shot count!!!

my VSSF-II has 600 rounds of 40 V-Max and 28.3 grs H-4895 through it.its the only load I ever shot.it goes low .4s all day and takes a dead hold 330 and in.

My wife shoots a Rem 700 LVSF. It shot factory Hornady ammo (both weights) to roughly 1 moa. Handloads using H4895 or ADI 2206 and the Sierra 39 gr BK are genuine sub .5 moa.

Only reservation I have about this calibre is its terminal effects. Shooting alongside a 22/250 or a 6*47, it hits the foxes ok, but if they are getting out there the other rifles put them down with much more authority. We've had a few now that have just had a small hole drilled through them....