SmallCaliberCentral

I'm looking to put together a 204, and I've got a few question. I've picked up a lot of good info from this forum already.

My current varmint rifle is a Savage 93R17 (17 HMR) with a Ross Varmint Thumbhole stock, and I really enjoy it. I like the stock and the accutrigger. I mainly use it on an annual hunting trip to eastern Oregon for sage rats (aka Belding ground squirrels). For those interested, the video of last year's trip is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV9DjD-Hjkk and details of the camera setup are here: http://www.shootingsquirrels.com/forum/ ... =29&t=1716

But now I'm looking for something to extend my effective range and improve on factory rimfire ammo accuracy. I'm looking at a Savage 12BTCSS and a Leupold VX-3 6.5-20x40 with varmint reticle. I figure if I already know I like the stock and trigger, why change? I'd like to extend my range out to maybe 250 yards or so for squirrels. Obviously longer for larger targets (every year we see a few badgers).

1) For the scope, it looks like my choice is between AO and side parallax focus. I'm not sure how to decide between the two? The Mueller I have on my 17 as AO, and I'm fine with it. Not sure if longer ranges would make side focus a better choice.

2) Any suggestions for scope mounts/rings with this setup? I'm probably going to order them online, so I'd like to get the right size on the first try. And I'd like to get the scope as low as possible.

3) Any other comments or suggestions I should be thinking about?

The gun......if you like what you got, might as well go with what you know. That is my opinion, that is why I never strayed from the M77.....I think I have 8 now.

I do have an old Savage in 30-06 and it has proven to be one of the most reliable in my arsenal.

Scope.....I have the VXIII 6.5x20-40 on my .204. I like the varmint reticle, if you go that route set your zero at 270+- yards and use the second hash 400 yards and the bottom at 500 yards. It is very good glass.....you won't be disappointed.

A cheaper route would be the VXII 6x18-40. I have one on my AR chambered in .204. It is a nice scope, but a step down from the VXIII.

Personally, I'd go with side focus every time. For me, it's way faster and easier when shooting targets at various distances.

Others will be able to tell you with certainty about the rings, but I think Leupold medium rings will be the ticket for you.

MrGreg: First off, welcome to the forum and the World of The 204.

I share the squirrel shooting passion, and all my rat rifles are set up with the LR version of the scope you plan on for your Savage, all with 40mm objectives, all nice and low over the bore. Leupold Low Rings will work on most actions with varmint weight barrels if the objective is 40mm.

One of my Cooper Varmints (Model 38 in 20 VarTarg) set up with the VX3 6.5-20X40mm LR M1 in Lupy Low Rings (all my varmint Remmy's, Sako's, & all others wear "Low" Rings w/40mm objectives) :



You mentioned eastern Oregon for our buddy "Skippy" and his pals. Our passion here too. Just for fun, here's another shot of another Cooper, this one my MTV in 204 Ruger, early in the morning in eastern Oregon just after setup, ready for the days action in the alfalfa patch. This rifle is also set up as you mention in your post:



After watching your squirrel shooting video using the 17HMR, I can guanantee that once you experience the much longer range and the "Launch Factor" the 204 offers, your smiles will need surgical removal.....it's that good.

Good luck with the project; I'm sure Skippy won't approve though.

I think I want to avoid a scope model with tall turrets, as they will get in the way of my camera mount. And I'm thinking with the varmint reticle, I shouldn't need to make any adjustments in the field, hopefully.

Our annual trip is to Enterprise, which is a little further north east than most people go. But we've got a nice warm place to sleep there, and a host who is an excellent cook. And we've been able to find plenty of target rich environments nearby

Rick in Oregon wrote:Good luck with the project; I'm sure Skippy won't approve though.

Luckily, he doesn't get a vote.

The VX3 6.5-20X is available with standard, or "low" adjustments with caps also of course (as are most all Leupold scopes). We choose the M1 turrets for elevation for the huge variances in ranges we typically encounter from the bench in open alfalfa fields on the ranch we shoot. All my newer VX3's have the Varmint Hunter Reticle too in case the shooting is hot and I'm not wanting to "dial-a-rat'. It's nice to have options.