spandit Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 FAC up for renewal soon and I notice that when I renew it, I can apply for a variation for no extra cost. Seems a shame to waste the opportunity but not sure what to go for. I have: 2x.22LR, .17HMR, .223 and .308. I'm tempted by a .17CF (Hornet?) or .204 Ruger as I quite enjoy reloading but not sure whether there is too much crossover with what I already have? Any suggestions welcome. As much as I'd like a .338 lap mag or .50BMG I can honestly say I don't have a need for one... Is it worth just going for something that will give me an extra slot that I can vary further down the line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Get yourself a .204 Ruger. I have one and wish I had bought it many years ago, when I was told 'its rubbish'. I have 2x 22LR, .22Hornet, .204 Ruger and .243 (dedicated NV) The .204 is an excellent, very fast, flat shooting caliber and I reload mine to match my rifle. (Howa 1500 Varmint) IF I play my part, ground feeding corvids at 300+ yards are no problem. I absolutely love this 'little' caliber. I wasn't asked by the police why I wanted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 The question is do you want to get rid of anything? IMO once reloading there is a lot bit of crossover with the .17 Hornet and the .17 HMR especially if reloading as the cost of a round narrows a lot. With the Hornet you have a better bunny gun than the HMR with the added bonus its got the grunt for foxes out to sensible ranges. I have both but only because I am on closed ticket and one of my permissions is only cleared up to HMR and the FEO wont go higher for some reason. The .204 (and Steve will correct me on this if I am wrong) as I have only had a go with one briefly is an out and out foxing/ long range vermin rifle even reloading you are using a lot more powder per shot than the Hornet so I wouldnt call an out and out bunny basher especially if you are shooting a lot of them. Its more of a competitor to your .223 but without the ability to take the smaller deer species that the .223 can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy1950 Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 I have a 243 to bridge between the 223 and 308. highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 We may be lucky and keep hold of the 50s as they are on the ban list (see my post in this section "Most see" should be Must see) It is just the start of restrictions and I'm sure they will just carry on regardless. Anyway 204 will certainly have the legs the hornet won't. But there is something about the 17cf that just makes you smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 On 29/06/2018 at 16:37, Zetter said: The question is do you want to get rid of anything? IMO once reloading there is a lot bit of crossover with the .17 Hornet and the .17 HMR especially if reloading as the cost of a round narrows a lot. With the Hornet you have a better bunny gun than the HMR with the added bonus its got the grunt for foxes out to sensible ranges. I have both but only because I am on closed ticket and one of my permissions is only cleared up to HMR and the FEO wont go higher for some reason. The .204 (and Steve will correct me on this if I am wrong) as I have only had a go with one briefly is an out and out foxing/ long range vermin rifle even reloading you are using a lot more powder per shot than the Hornet so I wouldnt call an out and out bunny basher especially if you are shooting a lot of them. Its more of a competitor to your .223 but without the ability to take the smaller deer species that the .223 can Correct. There is more powder being used with the .204 to the Hornet, but it's such a different caliber, and is a league on it's own. Not too expensive to reload, once you have the cases. As mentioned, I wish I have bought this caliber many years ago. I did once own a .17 Hornet, and it was very good, but I couldn't get on with reloading for it, so sold it. I've also owned a 22-250. Now there's another very fast, accurate caliber. The .204 is an excellent caliber for Foxes, and hit's them very hard. Ground feeding vermin - Rabbits & Corvids don't stand a chance. If you want to eat any of the rabbit, then head/shoulder shot only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, steve_b_wales said: Correct. There is more powder being used with the .204 to the Hornet, but it's such a differnt caliber, and is a league on it's own. Not too expensive to reload, once you have the cases. As mentioned, I wish I have bought this caliber many years ago. I did once own a .17 Hornet, and it was very good, but I couldn't get on with reloading for it, so sold it. I've also owned a 22-250. Now there's another very fast, accurate caliber. The .204 is an excellent caliber for Foxes, and hit's them very hard. Ground feeding vermin - Rabbits & Corvids don't stand a chance. If you want to eat any of the rabbit, then head/shoulder shot only. Its interesting you mention the reloading Steve as I was torn between .204 and .17 hornet and in the end changed my mind to the Hornet but I do find working up a load you have to be so accurate I am at the stage now of using my phone as a magnifying camera for my RCBS scales as ts 0.1 grains of powder increments that can make a real difference. Do you find the .204 less fussy with regards to reloading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 6 minutes ago, Zetter said: Its interesting you mention the reloading Steve as I was torn between .204 and .17 hornet and in the end changed my mind to the Hornet but I do find working up a load you have to be so accurate I am at the stage now of using my phone as a magnifying camera for my RCBS scales as ts 0.1 grains of powder increments that can make a real difference. Do you find the .204 less fussy with regards to reloading? I do find the .204 more forgiving than the 17 Hornet. I'm not sure what I throw (using H4895) but I'm quite a few grains below the maximum. 99.9% of my reloads are spot on, but even if one or two are slightly out, I haven't had any vermin complain yet. The rifle/caliber will out shoot me, that's a fact. At the moment, I've reloaded 32gr Sierra Blitzkings which are excellent. Once I've used them up, I'm going to use 39's, and work up a new load. This is mainly because, I couldn't get any 32's to replenish my stock, and there were loads of 39's available, so went with those. I 'had a go' of a 338 Lapua at Sennybridge ranges last year. Shooting out to 800 yards, it was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Cheers Steve Its food for thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 I’ve just had 17hornet added and I’ve a hmr and lr already plus a .223,243. he wasn’t over the moon about it but i said how can I use the .223 on long range crows ? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spot on Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 go for old obsolete ? classic 308 norma magnum. had one many years ago ( parker hale 1200 deluxe ) kicked like the devil with factory loads .still have the scope scar on my eyebrow after 30 years but extremely accurate, even more so with home loads. there is a cult following of this calibre in the states both as a hunting and target weapon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Just stop messing around big is better definatly got to be a nitro express ?? Reloding is easy you pour it in with a trowel ? all the best of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Do you really need another rifle? Seriously how often would you use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longstrider Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Surely the only answer to the OP's question is ' Ruger .204' As others ... Used a variety of calibres over the years and wish I'd cottoned on to the .204 earlier. Once you've found the right ammo for your particular rifle it's an amazingly effective and accurate tool for Charlie and just about anything you care to point it at that's up to fox size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 3 hours ago, DC177 said: Do you really need another rifle? Seriously how often would you use it? Reported to mods - this must be a spam post surely? Is the .204 Ruger sufficiently different from the .223? DC177 might have a point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 4 hours ago, DC177 said: Do you really need another rifle? Seriously how often would you use it? Just for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 6 minutes ago, Dougy said: Just for you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 4 hours ago, DC177 said: Do you really need another rifle? Seriously how often would you use it? Sincerely hope you don’t have a spare pair of shoes- that would be totally wasteful indeed!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 1 hour ago, DC177 said: Charming! I’ve always had a penchant for a Ruger No 1 in .204. Mate has one and he STILL (!!) hasn’t brought it round for me to play with! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 With an attitude like that, Dc177, I'm not surprised your FEO is awkward. I'd tell mine I wanted it for longer range rabbit with an extra oomph for fox. If he says no then I'm not too worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 1 minute ago, spandit said: With an attitude like that, Dc177, I'm not surprised your FEO is awkward. I'd tell mine I wanted it for longer range rabbit with an extra oomph for fox. If he says no then I'm not too worried. Any idea which one moderates the best ? Would think the 204 good reason quieter than 223 another good reason 17hmr canbe steching it’s self on Fox i can probably think of a few more good reasons until you try one you won’t know and then you can get rid of one if you don’t use it because the 204? Is better or worse than you hoped far better way than swapping one caliber for another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 1 hour ago, DC177 said: So do tell us how you will justify this with your FEO. "Well, er...you know....reasons" wouldn't cut it with mine. Sorry DC just a bit of banter. You could I suppose be a mechanic with an adjustable spanner and a hammer, that's if you owned a landrover. But I prefer a larger choice of tools in my box, from 22lr to something capable of dropping an Elephant (not that I'd want to) and plenty of Inbetweener calibers. It's what i have reason for that gives me the right as a FAC holder. And of course a reasonable explanation to my FEO as to what why and where. If the OP would like another calibre of his choices (and fulfilling all the requirements laid down by the FEO) then why shouldn't he ? There you go, that's better. Now could you explain why you think that myself, or the person asking for another caliber, should not have more than what "you" consider X amount of rifles or duplicated calibres ? Looking forward to your reply. Kind regards dougy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 I can't see much room in that collection to justify a new gun. What about a dedicated subsonic centrefire? There was a thread about this recently. Could be a challenge to get it setup, but that's part of the fun and it would be something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 43 minutes ago, Dougy said: You could I suppose be a mechanic with a hammer and a bigger hammer, that's if you owned a landrover. Fixed it for you, princess... 9 minutes ago, Houseplant said: I can't see much room in that collection to justify a new gun. What about a dedicated subsonic centrefire? There was a thread about this recently. Could be a challenge to get it setup, but that's part of the fun and it would be something different. .45 ACP or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 I must say that you need to check that whatever you choose all the components are available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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