First victim of my first 204

Experiences and effectiveness in hunting with the 204 Ruger.
Brad H
New Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:54 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Kimber Pro Varmint
Location: Glendive Montana

First victim of my first 204

Post by Brad H »

I guess I assumed my first kill would be a coyote, but none showed today. On the way out I opened the gate and saw this porky heading up the hill on the other side of the road. Granted it's not much of an accomplishment but it will make the cattle rancher happy.

That was the 61st shot through the new Kimber. The groups are getting better. This load is a 39gr Sierra BK with 27gr of H4895 and CCI 450s. I haven't grouped this load with the CCI's yet. I had two Rem 7 1/2's in a row not fire for me at the range so the CCI's it will be for now on.

Up till this month I've been a Swift shooter but am looking forward to making this my primary toy.

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acloco
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Posts: 1708
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:53 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: 12FV, 12BVSS -S
Location: Nebraska

Re: First victim of my first 204

Post by acloco »

Whoa....LONG hair! :)

Nice. They can be rather pesky critters who are hard on the trees AND the cows.

Not anything much worse than pulling quills out of a PO'd cow with a fester nose/mouth.
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Captqc
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Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:09 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper Phoenix .204
Location: Tigard, OR.

Re: First victim of my first 204

Post by Captqc »

Brad,
Welcome to the forum! Nice story and pics, we really like pics around here.
Gary
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Hotshot
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Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:32 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage and ar-15
Location: Rapid City
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Re: First victim of my first 204

Post by Hotshot »

B H,

I hardly ever fire my Swift anymore since discovery of the 204. It is an amazing cartridge. I find, if the conditions are too tough for the 204 a very large capacity case with 6mm or larger bullets is needed. Looks like you are on the right track with good equipment and load. Keep up the good work.
Brad H
New Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:54 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Kimber Pro Varmint
Location: Glendive Montana

Re: First victim of my first 204

Post by Brad H »

Making the landowner happy is all part of the game. And this was a easy way to do it.

Thanks for the welcome, Captqc.

Hotshot, I'll miss shooting that Swift. There wasn't much it couldn't do with a hot loaded 55gr BT, but the 204 ballistics are very close with the heavier bullets and I find it quite the pleasure to shoot and reload. I think this gun and I will get along quite nicely. :)

Brad
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Hotshot
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Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:32 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage and ar-15
Location: Rapid City
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Re: First victim of my first 204

Post by Hotshot »

If you ran a ballistic chart for a 220 Swift loaded with 55's and a 204 ruger loaded with 39's you would see slightly better energy for the 220 and slightly less long range performance as far as drop and wind drift. In the field experience shows me that the 204 bullets have better stability beyond 450 yards and therefore produce more hits. Why burn all that powder for less performance?

Former Swift lover and now 204 enthusiast,

Hotshot
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