Tell us about yourself...

[KetelOne]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum from Maryland and I entered the exciting world of the .204 Ruger not quite a year ago, when I got my Savage Predator Max 1 rifle. I was wanting a Sako Varmint Laminate but decided that for the money I'd have into the Sako alone, I could get the Savage, a decent optic and some sweet Redding competition dies. So that's what I did and I have no regrets! I have always been a big fan of the .22-250 (and still am) but the .204 has been much more pleasant to shoot. I've attached a picture of the rifle along with a Chuck I caught eating in one of my clover plots at 220 yards.

So far, I've been using a 39 grain Sierra Blitz King on 27.2 grains of Varget with great results. I may push the charge on this a little, as I see others are loading the Varget a bit hotter. I'm also experimenting with a 32 grain Nosler with some IMR 4198.

Anyway, I look forward to interacting on this Forum.

Best regards,

KetelOne

[Bill K]

First off, Welcome aboard the site. Fine bunch and each will help, where they can, and we also look forward to your input and information. You will enjoy the 204R, as you already know and feel. Like you, I have and do enjoy my 22-250, and a couple other calibers, but the 20's and a couple 17's are taking front stage more often, each day. Bill K

[KetelOne]

Thanks, Bill. The .22-250 I have left is a circa 1972 Japanese Wby. Varmintmaster. Used to have an old Browning B-78 single shot too which, regrettably I should not have sold. Live and learn......

[Bill K]

Like all of us, or most maybe, we all have rid our collections of some we wish we had back. That Browning would sure be one. Bill K

[Jkruger]

Hey KetelOne, I have the same Sav. 10 Predator max 1.
It's a real tackdriver for sure. I've been loading 35gr. Berger's w/h335.
Nice chuck by the way!

[robert w.]

Funny how we look back on our past gone arms.
Last week starlings invaded my yard,i grabbed a well used shotgun my grandad won new.its 1 of the first 1897 winchesters.worn finish no rust but dependable.i dispatched many birds that day.got a new cheep pump i got in a trade thats goin bye bye next gun show.
Welcome here n you got a fine rifle too

[KetelOne]

Hey KetelOne, I have the same Sav. 10 Predator max 1.
It's a real tackdriver for sure. I've been loading 35gr. Berger's w/h335.
Nice chuck by the way!

Thanks! That's good to know. I am very pleased with that Savage. I have been sold on them for a few years, as I also have a Model 10 FCP-SR in .308 that shoots fantastic. In fact, I'm so impressed with the Savages that I just called the Savage Custom Shop 2 weeks ago and ordered a custom "Predator" with a 26" barrel chambered in 6.5-284 Norma. I will use it for long range duty on some bigger critters. I was going to get another Cooper (have 3 of them) but for 1/2 the price I'll get something that shoots just as well (or better) and then I can put my savings toward some nice glass, a 20-MOA rail and some Redding dies!! - What's not to like?

[Jkruger]

I know what you mean, I liked the predator in 204 so much I bought another in 243 win.

[Swyfte]

Old varmint shooter with old school rifles in 17Rem, 222Rem, 22-250 & 244 Rem. Awaiting my TC Compass in 204 Ruger. Haven’t shot in a long time though. The 222 & 22-250 are Rem 788’s. The 17 Rem is a Rem 700. The .244 was originally a Ruger 77 in 7x57 and turned it into 244Rem with Shilen heavy match barrel and CanJar set trigger. I bought another 7x57 in a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle. The 222 & 244 are in Lee Six beavertail glass stocks. ( Six Enterprises). The 7x57 & 17 Rem are in Lee Six Sporter Glass stocks. My press is an old Bonanza CoAx and use mostly CoAx bench Rest dies. Bought that and my bypods when I bought the 222 in 72’. 222 cost 99.95, Harris Bipods 15.00, Bonanza Press 72.00 and the 222 dies were 15.00 if I bought the press lol. Don’t know when Forster bought Bonanza out. Hope to learn about the 204. Bought some brass and different powders and loaded some starter work up loads in each just to try and calibrate in QuickLoad. Trying to get my nephew interested in shooting so going to try and set it up for him. Pick up the 204 on the 25th from ffl guy. I’m up in N.E. CA so also have to work with lead free for hunting.

[Bill K]

Welcome aboard Swyfte.. What part of N.E. California. Bill K

[86Indy]

Age 62. Lots of rodeos and have the tee shirts from each. My latest will be a 204 Ruger supported and launched by a EABCO Model 97D. Came to me used and missing parts and the good folks at EABCO are gettin er done for me. I reload but I'm going to buy some factory ammo to start out with. Looks like there are only two or three options. 32 is probably the most used from what little I've read thus far. Looking very much forward to seeing what the 97D can do. Maybe its not the best gun nobody's heard of but I can tell you already that it balances well and is really light weight. That is enough to get it taken along for some fun.

Regards, Mark

[Bill K]

That EABCO model is along the same lines as the TC contender/Encores, right ? Break action, single shot ? Should be a good starter for sure.. Will be watching for review/test info and also some photo's. Welcome to the site. Bill K

[fuzznose]

Good question Bill. I fully expected the VMax to shoot well, and was disappointed. The 40 grain VMax is great in every one of my .22 CF rifles.

Below are (some of) my records, and I now notice I only have one in which I used the Nosler BT. I'll need to revisit that. (It pays to mine the records we so carefully keep . . .).

32 VMax 28 H4895 (3) shots 0.43 in Too Hot
32 VMax 27.2 Benchmark 5 shots 1.40 in
32 VMax 22.5 IMR 4198 5 shots 1.11 in
32 NosBT 23.2 LT-32 5 shots 1.05 in
32 VMax 23.2 LT-32 5 shots 1.07 in
32 VMax 27.5 H4895 5 shots 1.48 in
32 VMax 27.5 H4895 5 shots 1.47 in

35 Berger 22.2 IMR 4198 5 shots 0.60 in
35 Berger 24.4 Benchmark 5 shots 0.70 in
35 Berger 28.5 Varget 5 shots 1.31 in
35 Berger 22.0 IMR 4198 5 shots 0.34 in

So now I'll need to load some of those NBTs!

Thanks.

Brian

I've had good results using Hodgdon H335, 26.0 grains, either 32 grain or 40 grain V-Max....

[VLP204]

Evening, been a fan of the 204 but never owned one.Well I cant say that anymore picked up a savage Model 12 Varmint Low Profile . Also grabbed some ammo. A couple boxes if Hornady Superformance 32gr, and a box of Fiocchi 32 gr.
Putting on an original Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14 scope I have not being used. Live in Northern Michigan and cant wait to dial in the scope and shoot my new rig.Maybe get into some woodchuck and long range crow sniping/in season .Might just have a good reason to get to PD town in the near future as well.

[Bill K]

Welcome aboard.... If this is your first 20 caliber, you will like it. But then it will also light the fire/bug for a couple of other 20 calibers.. i.e. 20VT, 20SCC, 20 practical or tactical, for starters... Watch your wallet. Bill K