SmallCaliberCentral

Well, it has happened......my brother in law has shot out the barrel of his browning and has decided after watching me keep up with him shot for shot all winter long to invest in a 204. He has settled on the target/varmint model in 204 and I was just curious if anyone out there has one of these critters and how does it shoot? I have a wealth of reload data to pass down to him so load work should be easy. Used to own an old 77V in 22-250 many moons ago and I never should have sold it. Any info about load work or just general thoughts about the gun would be appreciated.

I have a Savage model 12 BTCSS and my brother has a Ruger M77 target, both in 204. He has a Bushnell (3200 I think) that goes to 16x. I shot one group with it using some factory Hornady 40 grain loads. The 5 shot group was about 3/4" - 7/8", I don't remember exactly, but it wasn't in the best conditions as it was near dark and breezy. He has shot some better groups with his loads, but so far he hasn't done the load development I have and I believe his smallest 5 shot groups are about 1/2" or slightly under, while my best groups are in the .2's, and .3's are consistent with my better loads to date. I suspect his Ruger will do better than .4's and .5's with more load development, but at this point I couldn't say positively, sorry.

Overall in my opinion the 2 guns are relatively equal, at least from a build quality standpoint. The triggers are very similar although I think the Savage suits me just a bit better. I like the Ruger action, floor plate, and magazine better. I also prefer the Ruger scope mount system. If I knew the Ruger would shoot as well as the Savage I would not mind owning one.

I have one of the VTs and can't complain about the quality of the rifle itself. My load development kinda hit the wall after my first couple of short sessions with it because I simply haven't got out to do any more, yet. With the first 100 or so loads, I was shooting 1/2" to 1" groups @ 100 yds. I haven't got real serious about the smallest groups yet until I get all the brass I have at least once fired, then I'll change my attitude towards accuracy/little groups. If you can get a new VT for something less than MSRP, I don't think you would be very disappointed.

How is the trigger on this bad boy? From what I gather it is still in the 4+ pound range.

I don't know what the actual weight of my brother's Ruger trigger is, perhaps I can check it in the next day or so. I know it isn't as light as my Savage which is pretty close to a hair trigger, but the Ruger trigger still felt and shot nice I thought.

A little update, got a chance to see my bro in laws new ruger shoot this week and MAN! SHe is a winner! All he had on hand was varget using 40 grain vmaxs and this gun appears to very capable of shooting tiny groups! Showed me a few targets with 5 shots groups that are well under a half inch. Very pleased, going to try some other powders and see if there is anything more inside that ruger!

I'm sorry I hadn't been able to report back on the trigger pull. I'm glad though that the rifle your brother in law has seems to be a good one, I like a lot of things about the Rugers.

Ya, this ruger seems to be a winner so after the VARGET experiment my bro in law tried, I did the same in my remy with the Vmax's and was most pleased. Not going to switch from the BK's any time soon but good back up loads they will make.

I got a Ruger T/V .204 rifle when they first came out. After my brother and sun in law had seen my 100 yard groups with the 32 gr V-Max bullets they both got one. Our rifles also likes the 39 Gr bullets. Try Varget powder with Fed 209 M primers. I put a 6-18 X AO Leupold scope on it. It is one fine prairie dog shooting rifle.