walt1980 Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 For some reason always fancied a .204, probably just because it's not as popular as other centre fire. I've got hmr which I use for rabbits and the odd fox, a .243 for deer and fox but fancy a .204 for long range rabbits and foxes. Think it's more curiosity than anything else but don't want to get one then find it's not better than the hmr. If anyone uses one regularly in suffolk I'd be keen to have a look at one. Also any advice on what to avoid or best bits to look for would be good too. Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 For some reason always fancied a .204, probably just because it's not as popular as other centre fire. I've got hmr which I use for rabbits and the odd fox, a .243 for deer and fox but fancy a .204 for long range rabbits and foxes. Think it's more curiosity than anything else but don't want to get one then find it's not better than the hmr. If anyone uses one regularly in suffolk I'd be keen to have a look at one. Also any advice on what to avoid or best bits to look for would be good too. Cheers Chris Totally different kettle of fish to the hmr. No good for rabbits if you intend on using the meat, even headshots can destroy a carcass. Very good foxing round but as you already have a .243 for that do you really need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Is ammo readily available would be my first question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Is ammo readily available would be my first question. I've never had problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Factory ammo is quite easy to get that's why it will probably out last the 20 Tac. I liked mine but was offer more than I could refuse for it when I didn't really need a dedicated foxer anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzala Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Hi chris Got my .204 nearly two years ago now,which I home load for. There was an issue getting some components but they seem to be much easier To get hold of now. I wouldn't know about about factory ammo. Anyhow it's a cracking cal . Since I got it all my other rifles just seem to be collecting dust. You won't regret getting one Atb Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Reload, use 39gr SBKs and away you go. If you dont reload check local ammo suppliers for availability or learn to reload. Fox capable to 300 yards. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt1980 Posted September 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Hhhhmmm sounds like I might have to put the variation in and see how it goes when I get one. Ammo shouldn't be a problem, not a fan of reloading, probably would be if I had more time but would rather spend time shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 I sold my .17hmr, and I was going to swap it for a .204, but now I cant decide weather to get on or get a either .222 or .223. they all have there + and -, do many people reload in .204? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 I had a 17 Rem, 22-250 and 223 (again). By all means get a 204, but like my old 17 Rem it won't do anything that a 223 won't do. Plus ammo is readily available for the 223 and it somehow seems a much easier route to go. But, if you want something different..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Maughan Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) A .223 running 40gr bullets is very near to the same ballistics as the 204 with 39gr SBK or 40gr vmax, the difference is there are always loads of second hand or new rifles to choose from in .223 and never a shortage of ammo or reloading gear. I regularly think about buying a .204 but every time I do I keeps coming back to the fact that I would be changing merely for changing's sake, also if I ever need to shoot the heavier bullet then the .223 will do it, the .204 won't. Edited September 29, 2014 by Alan Maughan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 A .223 running 40gr bullets is very near to the same ballistics as the 204 with 39gr SBK or 40gr vmax, the difference is there are always loads of second hand or new rifles to choose from in .223 and never a shortage of ammo or reloading gear. I have to agree.I had been pretty much sold on a 204, but the more I look at it, I think that the difference between it and 223,and .222 for that matter, at the ranges I'll be using it, is minimal. Far more 222/223 rifles out there to choose from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theosmith Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 I have just bought a 204 and have 223 and 243 all ready and I can assure a 204 does far less than what a 223 can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 . 204 ruger does about what a .243 does with lighter range bullets But it cant do what a .243 does at the heavy bullet end, too much gun for edible bunnies IMO but a worthwhile long range dedicated vermin gun if you have nothing already that can do this. In short if you cant hit crows with say a .223 rem at 300 yards then the .20 wont radically change things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt1980 Posted September 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Well sounds like I might of been talked into a .223, and as luck would have it local rfd has a Remington 700 synthetic on the wall with a mod at a sensible price! Spoke to fao and he said just send in paperwork and Itl be fine on either, time to go shopping again for a scope! Cheers guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunner24 Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I'm in the us and live on a farm and can take down brids on fence post at 300-400 hundered yards on the hood of a truck pm me if u want the gun and scope brands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I'm in the us and live on a farm and can take down brids on fence post at 300-400 hundered yards on the hood of a truck pm me if u want the gun and scope brands Why not post the details here ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 (edited) I have just bought a 204 and have 223 and 243 all ready and I can assure a 204 does far less than what a 223 can Sorry, my reply maybe wasn't that clear. When I spoke of the differences, I meant in trajectory and windage out to a max of 300 yds. Would you say that the 223 hits harder than the 204? I had read some people having problems with bullet splash wounds on foxes when using 32gr rounds? Edited September 30, 2014 by the enigma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theosmith Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 im running 32 grain and have had 3 foxes run . i have video footage which i shall try and upload at some stage of one zip right through and into the dust behind.,,,,,,the heavier the bullet the harder they hit, i have only ever had 2 foxes run from a 243 and they were with softpoints, balistic tips ive never seen one run from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Hey foxes run from lots of stuff, .243 the works! the main trick is do not think you have some sort of death ray and make the shot a good one being mindful to use the correct bullet for the job at hand. Perhaps this is were .224 bullets score ? As there are stacks of them made for every sort of imaginable purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I've had a 204 and found you need to carefull on shot placement...I had runners with boiler room shots and got rid of it for a 223..never had any issues with the 223 but since starting to do more stalking I've just got the 243 for everything...58grn for fox, 100grn for deer... Simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 A .223 running 40gr bullets is very near to the same ballistics as the 204 with 39gr SBK or 40gr vmax, the difference is there are always loads of second hand or new rifles to choose from in .223 and never a shortage of ammo or reloading gear. I regularly think about buying a .204 but every time I do I keeps coming back to the fact that I would be changing merely for changing's sake, also if I ever need to shoot the heavier bullet then the .223 will do it, the .204 won't. Wise words. But there is no need for heavy bullets in 20s, I shoot 39s mainly but the rifle ( a 20BR) is throated for 50s. 20s score by being fast and flat with less drift than 22s with a similar case size. However differences are not that much below 250 yards that if I was shooting a 223 I would feel I was missing something by not having a 204. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt1980 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Hhhhmmmm really not sure now, have used a .223 but think the .204 is still on the shopping list as more of a "let's see" than a "I need" but more .223's about and as said readily available ammo. .223 for now, .204 at some point in the future!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Hhhhmmmm really not sure now, have used a .223 but think the .204 is still on the shopping list as more of a "let's see" than a "I need" but more .223's about and as said readily available ammo. .223 for now, .204 at some point in the future!! That's exactly how I felt about the 17 Rem. The thought of a small (25g) bullet whizzing along at very high speed caught my imagination, even though I had a very good Sako 223 at the time. In practise the 17 did not have any great advantage over the 223, and that's why I got rid. I was still fascinated by high velocity, and so changed the 223 for a 22-250, and all I can say is that the ranges at which I normally shoot (up to 250 yards) the 22-250 did not have any benefits over the 223 either. That's why I now have a 223 again for foxing etc, and I never feel undergunned or the need for more oomph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theosmith Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 243 with 55grain Winchester silver tips is the daddy of foxing. Fast flat and hard hitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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