SmallCaliberCentral

I would agree about the name change. There are a lot more 20-cals in the game now than there was when I joined [20 Practical, 20 Tactical, 20 SCC, 20-222, 20-250 and I'm sure more are out there I haven't mentioned].

For me, I have three 204 Rugers and don't plan on parting with any of them anytime soon. But Rick's info and PM about the 20 VT got me to building one of them and I'm sure glad I did. It wasn't cheap a journey but a fun one from beginning to end but it has been well worth it. It reminds me of the first M1 rifle I put together by myself except barreling because I didn't have the tools but I was there when it was being done but the rest was all me. Anyway, the VT is definitely a keeper.

Shortly afterwards, along came two 221 Fireballs and although they're 224 cals I don't see me parting ways with them anytime soon either. In fact they're every bit as fun to shoot as the VT.

I love my .221 Fireball. Its an important part of my varmint arsenal.

Tom Kat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 3:12 pmI love my .221 Fireball. Its an important part of my varmint arsenal.

Spot-on there, TK!

I love my 204's and 20VT, but my Furballs have a place in my battery too. Great bullet selection, very accurate, less powder = less expensive to shoot, mild in every way except for the terminal performance. Inside of 350 yards, it really shines, and lets face it, that's about where 90% of our shooting takes place.

A pic from spring this year. POV is from my position scoping a distant rock pile with my Cooper M38 Phoenix 221FB. The rock pile can be seen in the far distance with a fat chuck sunning on the rocks.



As this Furball shoots the Nosler BT and their VG into 1/4" or less, head shots are the norm. No crawl-offs here, and as this shot was under 200 yards, the terminal performance leaves little to desire. Can you say "DRT?"



My other Furball is a CZ American that also shoots very well considering its light contour barrel and walnut stock, but I much prefer the synthetic stock on this rifle so I don't goon up my nice Carlo walnut stocks on my other Coopers while skulking about the lava rock piles that are abundant in these parts. Nice to have both chambering and stock choices fit for any varmint outing, right?

I don't do as much varmint shooting as I would like, my 204 often just hangs out in the safe, waiting patiently to be put back in use.

I'm good with 20 cal anything. We already have areas for big game and such.

Regards, Guy

My Furball is a CZ American as well. I shot a really good male coyote with it at 75 yards last winter. He was an "old" dog, fully mature and quite heavy to move about. I had good shot placement (chest) and it was cool to see him take that bullet through the scope. He just kind of stiffened up and fell over dead. If memory serves it was a 40 gr NBT driven by 8208XBR.

Its a great all around varmint caliber for all the reasons you outlined above.

I didn't like this idea when I first read it a few months ago. I think the specificity of the site is part of what has made this forum great, instead of just another general forum lost in the noise.
However, as time rolls on it's true the newness of the 204 has worn off. If the good people here think a 'rebranding' would help the core community continue to grow, I'm open to ideas.

Thanks for thinking outside the box Rick.

Tarrin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:33 am I didn't like this idea when I first read it a few months ago. I think the specificity of the site is part of what has made this forum great, instead of just another general forum lost in the noise.
However, as time rolls on it's true the newness of the 204 has worn off. If the good people here think a 'rebranding' would help the core community continue to grow, I'm open to ideas.

Thanks for thinking outside the box Rick.

The NATURAL tie in for this forum is....hunting. Who really cares about the .204? Hunters! just saying, a good way to raise our online profile would be some emphasis on varmint hunting. We are an older group who does some hunting and a lot of target shooting...

Yes it is hunting, mainly small to medium sized varmints. So, the good old 204 Ruger is right at home. Sure, all of us have other calibers, larger, for larger game and even some real tricked out bench rifles and handguns, for target shooting.
But the forum, I believe, was aimed at the 204 Ruger, by the moderator/owner and it is his to do with it as he wants. I enjoy the 204 R Five on a Dime shoot, each year, that Skipper works very hard to let us enjoy and look forward to this new years shoot, if he chooses to have another.

In the meantime, some photos, to show critters we shoot with the 204 R and even other small 17 & 20 calibers, would be nice. So how about some of these, from the last year and before, in pivots and rim rocks to sage. ??? BIll K

A few others. Let's see some of your's.

Do we have any active members here under the age of 40? signed, age 61

I wish I was under the age of 40, but unfortunately not!

foxwhistler wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:52 am I wish I was under the age of 40, but unfortunately not!

'
Boy would I love to be 40 again, but sadly I am double that, plus 4 years. ( 1938 DOB )

I was 40........once.
Back then I was just as "gunny" as now, just more zip then.
My first varmints fell to my .22LR old Mossberg back around 1968, now they fly from my 204's.

Rick I would love to see any pictures you wanted to share. I have known 2 marines who fought in WW2. One was on Iwo Jima and the other was in Guadalcanal. My Uncle was also in the USMC. He volanterred in 1970. I got to hear a lot of his stories. Any way I have respect for all Service men and women but fascinated by the Marines. I read Carlos Hathcocks book, etc...

Sorry to get derailed. Every Marine is a rifleman. Its how they roll.