SmallCaliberCentral

Hello 204 RugerForum. I just purchased a Rem 700 SPS HB in 204Ruger. Its going to be my new go to groundhog rifle for Western PA. I've been away form shooting for about 5years...however I have caught the shooting bug once again!! My friend is giving me roughly 300 rounds of ammo and reloading dies for my new 204...since they were given to him and he does not have a 204. So Basiclly Im wondering if anyone has this rifle or something similar to it. It comes with a factory 26" HB 12 twist. Im currently not having any custom work done....I would love to shoot it factory for now. I understand my best bullet weights to shoot will be 32-40grs.for my 12 twist barrel. What preference on bullet weights do other shooters have for groundhogs? After I shoot the factory ammo I was thinking of shooting the 32gr v max and the 39gr blitzking bullets. From what I have read these two bullets shoot the best out of 12 twist barrels? What do you guys think? Im basically just trying to figure out what will be best for groundhogs from 50 to 400yards maybe just maybe 500yards. It sometimes can be hard to find places to shoot that far in my area. I know my familys farm is mostly 100 to 350 yard shots which is just fine with me. I would appreciate any input from other shooters on any info they are willing to share with me. Thank you! BIA
I will check back in once I get a the components for my rifle together since Im waiting for my gunshop to call and say its here! I do not have a huge budget so I ordered a Vortex Crossfire 2 in 6-24×50.....since I have had succes with other Vortex scopes. Im really hoping this is going to be a deadly combination for groundhogs....this is my first 204 caliber rifle. I used to shoot a M77 in 22 Hornet....this time around I wanted a little more pop....and I think my 204 will achieve just that!!! So once again if anyone has any good input on loads, bullets, primers, etc please share!

Bought one just like it. I put it in a B&C M40 stock & had it cerakoted. I'm going to the range today to shoot it for the first time. I'll be using factory ammo today 32 & 40. I'll post tonight or pm you. I did some measuring on mine & I can forget about loading to the lands, the freebore is huge. If I tried loading 40 SMK to the lands, they would barely sit in the case. Good luck & stay safe. JD

Some 20 cal. info here. http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

Thanks for the info. Anything else is much appreciated! Im waiting for my FFL to call and say its here come pick it up. I cant wait!

PaPopGunShooter wrote:Some 20 cal. info here. http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

That u PaPopGunShooter. I actually found this exact article last night and read the entire article. Very helpful information.

BiaRem700SPS204, I made it to the range today after cleaning this new gun & finished the cleaning with lock-ease in the barrel. After 2 fowling rounds I started with 32 gr. Nosler varmageddon. 1st 3 shots = .444 group. 2nd group 5 shots = .735 group. Very pleased. Cleaned barrel then 2 fowlers & shot 32 gr. Winchester ballistic silver tips, 5 shots = about a 1 1/4 in. group. Repeated again with about same results. Cleaned again and shot 2 - 5 shot groups with 40 gr. Hornady superformance, both groups 1 1/2 in. & 1 3/4 in. I'll be loading this week with 35 gr, Bergers & try them out next weekend. Hope this helps you. Jim D

I have two that are similar. Neither of mine will shoot the Hornady 40 grain VMAX to my satisfaction. They both however shoot the 39 SBK lights out. It's really the only bullet I shoot out of them. They also shoot the 35 Berger lights out. Not so good with the Nosler Varmageddon 32 FBHP pills but the jury is still out on those.

HTH.

Oh, and the throat is longer than an I-10 trip across Texas.

HTH,

I should have stated the varmageddon I shot were the tipped version if that matters. JD

Thanks for the info. Rifle and scope are both in right now....very excited! I'm just waiting on my rail and rings to arrive early next week. I definitely will be at the range next week testing my new model 700 out. Im excited to let some 20 caliber lead fly! As soon as I get it out to the range I will post my result's.

I have one of those Remington SPS Varmints in the discontinued stainless version, but in .22-250, not .204. Is/was a good shooter out of the box but my .22 centerfires get shot very little since I got my .204s. My .204 Remington 700 LVSF quit stabilizing the 40 grain V-Max long ago, but still does well with the shorter 39 Sierra Blitzkings, as do my Cooper and CZ. Just loaded some of the 35 gr. Bergers this week for the LV and they look like winners - under half an inch in a stiff breeze initially. fwiw, although that bullet is touted as a coyote-killer, my experience with 40 and 50 gr, Berger HPs on eastern woodchucks from the (slower) .221 Fireball left an unusual amount of "crawlers"; hope the 35s out of a .204 have better terminal results. Absolutely no problem putting down big 'hogs at reasonable ranges with the BKs, that's why I jump to the .243 at much over 350 yards and skip the .22s.
Like you, I got back into shooting by hunting groundhogs with a .204 Ruger on the old family farm. My favorite type of hunting by far now; very addictive. Good luck!