How good is the .204R???

[dave]

Just how good is it as a long range rabbit rifle taking into consideration there are so many go fast rounds to choose from these days? I need some positive feedback here as ive ordered one and im looking at a second as i cant let a good deal go even though i havent fired a round out of one

If i do end up with a couple of them i hope i love them as much as trevort does......no wait i think thats impossible will give you the run down when they get here!

[woob614271]

Oh, No!
the bug has bitten another AVer...

[native hunter]

Youn wont be disapointed, they are a great round, stock up on 39grn sierra blitz kings as they are the cats meow in this calibre.
Those that dont have one, dont know what their missin out on.!!!
Regards

[Brad Y]

I'll go with danmc and stewiemc, member of the non 204 club. 22-250 all the way from bunnies to pigs and goats. Yes its got kick and noise compared to the 204 but if you cant handle it, you shouldnt be near a gun. Im sure the 204 is a great cal, but it doesnt interest me.

Hows that for a last minute controversial post. See yas in two weeks.

[Ned Kelly]

G'day All,
WOOB, I'll not be changing from my 223

75amax doing 2850fps, zero'd for 150yds ............no need for ANY vertical hold, and I know my zero's in 50yd steps out to 600yds if I need them!

Since most of my varmints are shot less than 200yds it works really well and I can spot my fall of shot and adjust accordingly if I'm sniping a warren at longer distances. Just keep a little range book of elevation adjustments for any warren from a prefered shooting spot and you can be pretty sure to dial in the right elevation for a good solid 1st shot.

A very versatile round with good barrel life, accurate and covers F class, and varminting and will shoot up to 80gn bullets for long distance target/varmint work.

Cant ask for better than that!

Cheerio Ned

[trevort]

Dave, arguing about other calibres is just a waste of energy. As a long range rabbit rifle it is just THE most efficient factory calibre, there are heaps of ballistaic tables and magazine reviews from both sides of the world.

I appreciate Ned's knowledge of his 223 but my range estimation in the field is just not that good.

Sighted in at 1 inch high at 100 its just point and shoot at the middle of the mass (rabbit sized) to 300m. You dont need range estimations.

Best graphic comparison was my last bunny snipe with Thomo. He had his 204 and I had my 223.

Lying on the edge of the gully looking in, the shots would have been 100m max. Turning round looking at the rocks behind us we spotted movement and turned round. Thomo later came back and ranged the area with a borrowed range finder but at that time we didnt know. Shots were between 230 and 300m. He just kept rolling them over and I got 2 out of about 7 with shots going low, or high because of overcompensation. Yes the 223 would have done the job if I knew the area and knew the ranges or had a rangefinder, Thomo didnt need one.

But since you've spent the money already why dont you tell us what you find out when you get out in the field!

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day trev,
I'm so sorry I just couldn't help myself .....................



Cheerio Ned

FWIW, if I was starting out yup I'd seriously consider the 204

But, be warned, I'll still razz you

[trevort]

Ned, we must keep the universe in its proper order

[woob614271]

Ned, I'm right with you, despite the plan to build a 20BR with a 1:9" twist rifle (long term plan)
the 22.250AI will serve for Fly/600/1K for the time being, I just like the idea of something else to play with in my old age, Wimmen being to quick for me, and me not knowing what to do with 'em anyway...!

[trevort]

Its funny how your attitude changes as you get older Woob. I always thought there was too much case for too small a projectile with the 22/250 so I stuck a 6mm pill in mine. BUT a 22/250ai set up for heavy pills would be in my safe if the tatts numbers came up.

And though I love the 204, if the 20br with 50s does what I think it will it might come out bunny busting more than the 204. Too many rifles!

[woob614271]

Trevort, have a look at gunhaus.com for heavies in 17, 20, and 234(?) calibers. I'll bring some heavy 20s in eventually, but imagine a core-bonded, lead-tipped 62 grainer at about 3200-3400fps...
Go on, I dare ya!

[Dr G]

Dave as a 223 owner and soon to be 204 owner I am firmly in the 204 camp. I have nothing against the 22-250 but out my way cats are mainly taken at ranges between 150m and 300m. for the longer ranges I need to see if i hit it as shooting it is only part of the story then we need to autopsy it. There is nothing worse than hearing a clear hit but then being unable to locate the bugger in the vegetation. When i have used 250's for LR cat work the muzzle flip is a PITA for keeping an eye on the target though I have always been impressed with their inherrent accuracy. The 204 dupicates its LR accuracy but will allow me to see it drop or which direction it moves off to.

If i need more firepower (for goats, donkeys or camels) I have the 30-06 (and as soon as its finished the 243)

[wb243]

Dave, my first rifle was a 243 - shooting everything from 58gr V-maxes to 90grain Highland AX's.

But my 20 Practical, which is very near the 204 for performance is my new favourite rifle for bunny's, foxes and cats. Lovely to shoot it is and flaaaaaaaat.

[WhiteMeat]

Out of curiosity, how does the 204 go in heavy winds? I normally go out around the snowy mountains in NSW and there can be some fair gusts of wind (I avoid shooting when the wind is choppy or I wait until it is relatively calm atm to avoid missing due to the gusts)

[wb243]

For drift and drop between 204, 223 and 22-250, check out the table at this address: http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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