204 at 600 yards?

[Merrifield]

I'm going to be shooting with some buddies on Sat at 600 yards. They will be shooting larger stuff, but I'd really like to shoot my 204 with 32 gr Sierras. How will the 204 shoot at that range compared to their .243's and larger? Will the bullet destabilize at that range? I'm not shooting hot loads and am not pushing max velocity. Should I try it or just bring a bigger rifle?

[Guy M]

I haven't run the numbers, but I'd expect you'll see a LOT of wind drift from the little bullets...

[Guy M]

Just did a quick calculation w/a web based program:

32 gr Sierra @ 3800 fps = 55" wind drift in a 10 mph crosswind at 600 yards

168 gr Sierra .30 cal @ 2700 fps = 34" wind drift in 10 mph wind at 600 yards

The relatively poor BC of the stubby little bullets hurts them at longer ranges in a crosswind. I was actually thinking of shooting my .204 in a practical/tactical match coming up, out to 600 yards, but am not sure I want to deal with the windage adjustments necessary. Elevation adjustments are more predictable and easier to deal with.

FWIW, Guy

[Verminator2]

I've never shot the .204 out to 600, farthest yet has been 550. My dad did shoot his out to 700 to get the drop on his .204 and it was still stable at that range. The wind does really get frustrating if you have a lot of it and it's changing a lot. Once I got my .243 AI and loaded 87 Vmaxs it was like a whole new world, MUCH easier to get hits/kills out there when the wind is blowing. If it was me I would bring a bigger gun, 6mm and up, and also bring the .204. Can't have too many guns right

[Gube]

You would have better success if you used the 39 gr BK's instead of the 32 gr.

[Merrifield]

Thanks guys, that's what I thought you'd say but worth a shot......

I've had great luck at 400 yds with the 32gr, but I think I was pushing the edge.

Looks like the 7-08 will get the call, don't want to be last man with the bunch I'm going with

[rfurman24]

I have to agree with the previous posts but you should try the 39gr Blitz kings. They would close the windage gap to almost nothing and would smoke the 308 in the trajectory department. Last time out shooting prairie dogs I prefered my 204 over the 243 even in the wind. Add a mildot scope or just click for windage and you will barely notice the windage edge of the larger calibers. For me the huge trajectory advantage made the hits much easier with the 204.

[BabaOriley]

So did you try it? I guess we have to think nobody has got the .204 dialed in for 600 yet since nobody ever posts target pics they want to show off. I've verified the 50gr Bergers don't keyhole in my 1:10 at 100, but plan on seeing what they do at longer ranges sometime this summer. I'll let you guys know what happens with it.

For now I'm loading 34gr Midway Dogtowns for South Dakota. Have 500 prepped and primed. My problem is I can't find about 400 brass I thought I had left out of the 1000 I started with in this batch. Have 50 loaded up with 5 different charges of Ramshot TAC to test as soon as I get a shorter bipod, rear stock monopod, or bag combo I plan on switching to. I need a new bench rest setup, so trying a few things.

How did the other rifles work at 600 Saturday? Pics?

[Clover_Shooter]

Do you try 600 yards! I think the accuracy of the 204 suprises most of the bigger calibers at ranges between 300-400 yards. With pratice of coarse. It can be a challenge to get on the paper at 600 yards. If you beat the big guns that's even better. Any time you can get range time in the friends makes it better.

[Merrifield]

I wimped out and shot the 7-08. The winds were pretty high Sat and I thought I'd just be wasting 204 ammunition. I was surprised that 2 of my "competitors" brought 223's. They didn't fare well with 50gr Sierras, pushed all over the paper once they finally got dialed in. One had a 1/9 twist AR, the other a 1/12 twist bolt rifle. We're doing a small-caliber shoot next time, the 223 guys want a second chance.

[joghotrod]

About a year or so ago, with my Dtech AR with a 1/9 twist Shilen barrel in .204, using 50 grain Bergers I got lucky with the wind and shot a 200 out of a possible 200 (points) at 600 yds. I was shooting at the target with the 6 in. bull. I was shooting with some guys that were shooting iron sights using .223's and 6BR's. They were surprized that the .204 could even reach the target at 600 yds. So the .204 can get it done with the right bullet and a little luck.

Jimmy

[joghotrod]

About a year or so ago, with my Dtech AR with a 1/9 twist Shilen barrel in .204, using 50 grain Bergers I got lucky with the wind and shot a 200 out of a possible 200 (points) at 600 yds. I was shooting at the target with the 6 in. bull. I was shooting with some guys that were shooting iron sights using .223's and 6BR's. They were surprized that the .204 could even reach the target at 600 yds. So the .204 can get it done with the right bullet and a little luck.

Jimmy

I just checked my score cards and I made a mistake on the above post. I only shot a score of 198 out of a possible 200. I hit the X ring 9 times. I guess the memory ain't what it used to be.



Jimmy

[Jim White]

Faster twist barrels & heavier bullets with high BC's is what put the 223 where it is today in highpower competition...

Jim

[Guy M]

"Faster twist barrels & heavier bullets with high BC's is what put the 223 where it is today in highpower competition..."

No kidding Jim. I remember when the little AR-15 was considered a joke by the Highpower guys... Not anymore!

[Merrifield]

Seems like everyone makes their 204's with slower twist barrels. Wonder how a heavier 20 cal bullet would hold up in a 1-7 or 1-9 twist barrel? Would it equal or surpass the 223's performance with heavier stuff? Doesn't seem like much contest comparing the 40gr 20's to the 40-50gr 223's.

I like 223's a lot, but like the 204's a lot also, and on paper there's no comparison.

Wish Cooper would make a faster twist barrel, in a 204 or even a 20 Tactical.