I can't stand it!

[Rick in Oregon]

I just can't stand having only one .204 Ruger! I love my Sako M75 Varmint 204, but when the colony rodent shooting is as hot as it's been the last two years here, rotating to a "cold" rifle to shoot when my 204 is cooling down on the sidelines, soaking it's barrel in solvent, I just "need" another 204 for the action with Skippy. This caliber spoils you!

So I broke down this week, and sent Chris at Pac-Nor a stainless Model 700 short action for a new 24" varmint weight Stainless Super Match, 12 twist, 3-groove .204 barrel, chambered with Dave Kiff's (Pacific Tool & Grinding) .204 Ruger Match Reamer and complete action blueprinting. This is the reamer Todd Kindler designed for proper bullet seating of 32 and 40 grain bullets with a "no-turning" neck with minimum chamber tolerances.

While I was at it, I asked my buddies at Leupold to build me another VX-III 6.5-20X Long Range scope (30mm tube) with their excellent Varmint Hunter Reticle, and the M1 (military-1/4 MOA)) elevation turret. I've got a H-S Precision short action Remington stock waiting for the barreled action, that I'll glass bed over the aluminum bedding block when the finished product arrives. Later I'm considering a Jewell trigger and a McMillian/Holland glass thumbhole stock....when my bank account recovers that is.

Once the rig is finished, I'll post target results and pics....oh good, another project to dink around with. One thing is certain though......Skippy is going to really hate this rifle!

[Robert harrel]

way to go rio
how long did they tell you it will take?

[Rick in Oregon]

Robert: Penny at Pac-Nor told me it would ship on or before...(gulp....) May 7th. I'm telling myself that the anticipation is half the fun......yeah, right.

[erslll]

Very nice Rick! I am sure that will be very accurate gun.

Actually, I have a couple of questions about your scope choice. I don't want to hijack your thread so I will drop you a PM sometime.

[acloco]

Rick - WOOOHOOO!

Sounds like a good one.

My Savage 12BVSS, single shot, with a stainless/fluted 204 under a 8-32x56 Benchrest NightForce should be singing this spring as well.

[Glen]

Sounds dayum saaweet to me Rick!! Can't wait to see the gal!!

BTW-- Out of curiosity here. Why the 12" twist? Are you just shooting the lighter boolets?

[skipper]

Rick

Sorry, for being away for a while. I was installing a new computer. I'm up and running now, though. We all want a photo essay of this build, complete with action photos from the field of battle. I remember several of you holding my hand while I had my rifle built. Three months isn't that long.

[Rick in Oregon]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, it's been a couple of years since I built a varmint rifle, so I feel like I'm "back in the groove".

Glen: I'm using the 12 twist, as I shoot 32 grain BK's about 75% of the time for squirrels, and the 39 grainers the other 25% of the time. Those two bullets shoot very well in my Sako 12 twist, so I saw no reason to mess with something that was working so well. These rifles are primarily used for ground squirrels and PD's, as I have other rifles and calibers for other varminting tasks with the appropriate bullet/twist requirements suited to those tasks, such as Long Range PD's or rock chucks....220 Swift with 55's, or .243 Ackley with 70 grainers. For coyotes here I usually use my Model Seven .243 Win stoked with 70gr BT's. Make sense?

Skip: I was-a wunderin' where ya'all was at. Good to have you back. I may need some hand holdin' for this one! No worries on the action pics when the time comes, I'll have it when I see you for our Annual Rat Rodeo....you can field test it for me along side that sweet Panda!

[Glen]

Thanks Rick!! Curiosity ya know. Sounds like you have everything all planned out to the nines!! Good Luck!!

[bullfrog]

Hmm, makes me wanna go buy something.
Sounds like a solid investment Rick! Maybe you can set it up lefty so you can go with both barrels ablazin!

[WrzWaldo]

Dang Rick, that ought to be one fine shooter!!!

I'm looking forward to hearing about it and seeing some crazy small groups.

[Ray P]

RIO Way to go..............Congrads on building a blueprint 204. Once you shoot a 204.........One is nerver enough. I got 2 Rem 700 with 26" hart barrels and my s/s ruger No.1
Good luck and like you told me.................its worth the wait!
Post some pics when possible.
Later
Ray P

[Sagebrush Burns]

Sounds like a really nice goody. Hope it shoots as good as it sounds like it should. One of life's pleasures is wringing out a new rifle...

[Hawkeye Joe]

I've come to realize the wait is half the fun .With a HS stock, I'm sure it'll be a shooter Don't forget to save some of that target work for the Postal Shoot

[Rick in Oregon]

Through a total fluke yesterday, I bumbled into a killer "can't pass up" deal on a brand new Jewell trigger for the new rig. It the M700 model that is adjustable from 1.5 ozs to 2.5 lbs with safety.

Looks like the little girl is now one step closer to being a real beauty. My young wife surprised me also with 100 new Nosler 204 cases too. Gotta love those girls!

(Wifey is ten years younger, so she'll always be my "young wife"...... )