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Talk me into the .204

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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby RichardH » Tue May 13, 2008 10:26 pm

hungryrob wrote:
RichardH wrote:
I think that'll knock your .20 into a cocked hat and still allow me to shoot deer?


Here we go.... first board popcorn moment coming right up :lol:


Gentlemen who wear tweed don't eat popcorn.

Send your batman for the pistols

Richard
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby northernchris » Tue May 13, 2008 10:32 pm

My .22-250 ACK 1-9" twist runs 69gr Sierra Match Kings @ 3520fps from 43.6gr of N160 i dout the .204 will stay with that :lol: I had it out this weekend ,ranged,dialed a cold bore shot onto 4" disc @540 yrds then out to nearly 740 yrds and was printing 3 shots into 3-3/4" groups :)
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby Beer Hunter » Tue May 13, 2008 11:05 pm

RichardH wrote:Hang on a sec Kev.........

You're using the very heaviest bullets available for a .20, you've also got a very long barrel

Assume if you will I have a 1/9 26" .22-250 (and I really might soon :lol: )

Now put a Sierra 69 in it and run a compressed load (we'll assume I've got fire formed cases too)

I think that'll knock your .20 into a cocked hat and still allow me to shoot deer?

Richard

Not close to the headiest bullets in the .204. Amongst others there are:
  • Hornady 45gr SP
  • Berger 50gr LTB
  • Don Unmussig Bullets: 45, 48, 50, 52, 55, and 57 grain
  • Schroeder Bullets: 45gr SP and FMJ
All of these have higher BC's than the 39 grain Sierras :)
As stated above, I'm not considering custom barrels - the original post was clear that he wanted a factory gun.

Kev.
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby northernchris » Tue May 13, 2008 11:08 pm

A factory gun with a new tube on would be spot on :lol:
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby Beer Hunter » Tue May 13, 2008 11:10 pm

northernchris wrote:A factory gun with a new tube on would be spot on :lol:

hmmmm - a .204 with a 1:9/10 barrel and one of the 50, 52, 55 or 57 gr bullets would be technically Roe legal up here :lol:

Kev.
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Awesome .223 trajectory (copied from separate thread)

Postby hungryrob » Thu May 15, 2008 12:42 am

I've been out tonight with my .223.

I had measured the MV at 4020 fps with a 36 grain bullet (around .7 inches long though, which is very long for a .223 36 grain bullet!) but was unable to understand the trajectory. So I measured my trajectory VERY carefully tonight...

123 Yards = 1.1" high (1/2 inch group)
168 Yards = 1" high (1.5 inch group - pulled a shot)
270 yards = 2.75 inches low (2.5 inch group)
352 Yards = 12 inches low (2.5 inch group)

All groups measured over three shots in almost no wind. I found the figures hard to believe but there are REAL and can be repeated.

I set the bullet another 20 thou in from the load that measured 4020 so I now estimate that they are coming out at around 4040 fps.

Here is the chart that corresponds:

Varmint Grenade trajectory .jpg


Given that this gun is deer legal for Roe in Scotland with 55 grain bullets. I reckon it's a superb all rounder and can't be far off your .204 Kev. I accept that the wind gives the .204 a real advantage but the 55 grain bullet makes the .223 a better all rounder and with 24 grains of powder as an average load it's cheap. It also shoots relcom FMJ's at 4 pence each very well....

A 22/250 will also shoot the 36 grain VArmint grenades, but at around 4300 fps :shock: ...
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby jeff » Thu May 15, 2008 2:50 am

To be honest, I'm surprised the .243 seems harsh with recoil, especially with a mod. My old Sako 75 (Also sporter weight barrel) was a bit jumpy (But not harsh) with no mod, but hardly moved when fired with the T8 on it. My new AI is a heavyweight, and even with no mod you barely know you've shot it.

Anyway, not what you asked...sorry.

I've got a .204 on order, and this will likely replace the .223 and I'll still keep the .243

My idea is the 204 will be a lighter weight carry rifle, and the .243 will do the longer range stuff on the Land Rover bonnet (plus the Roos which need a .223 minimum).
Jeff

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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby Blue2 » Thu May 15, 2008 8:27 am

Thanks all.
The new 85 in .204 is a 9 month wait :? Probably as long as the variation will take :cry:
I started with a Hornet, then 223to 222 to 22-250 to 243to 243 AI to 22-250 AI and .17 Rem.
Nothing I have shot has managed to improve upon my kill count I had with the 223. Daft really as it shows that the huge expense and time was really a waste of time. I intend to keep the .17 as it really is a nice piece of kit.
I'll probably stick with the .17 until I make a descision.
I like the idea of the .204, but the lagality of deer on the.22s make it worth while. May be I'll go back to 223.
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Re: Awesome .223 trajectory (copied from separate thread)

Postby FOTH » Thu May 15, 2008 8:32 am

hungryrob wrote:I've been out tonight with my .223.

I had measured the MV at 4020 fps with a 36 grain bullet (around .7 inches long though, which is very long for a .223 36 grain bullet!) but was unable to understand the trajectory. So I measured my trajectory VERY carefully tonight...


That is bloody fast for a .223 just short of my 17 rem @ 4200.
Can't wait to see this in action next week.
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby Beer Hunter » Thu May 15, 2008 10:29 am

Robbie,

That's brilliant results......... for old technology :razz: :lol:

... but still not near the .204 in terms of drop or wind. Even using the lightweight and low BC .204 32 grain V-Max bullet at a slow 4100 fps has the .204's 380 yard POI at -10.21" as opposed to your Barnes at -15.8" (calculated with the same max rise as in your graph). The point blank range is also extended by 40 yards.
The wind results are just in a different league and the heavier .204 39 / 40 grain pills are even more efficient!

I just did a quick calc with the new .204 26 gr Barnes VG and QuickLoad shows velocities of 4,700+ fps :shock: However, it has the BC of styrofoam :lol:

I do take your point about the deer legality issue and as I mentioned, this did play on my mind when making the choice.
In the end it was quite a simple choice based on the way I shoot - I'm either out shooting vermin or deer, not both at the same time. If I'm out after vermin, I don't have the Roe sack, tags and other tools with me and so I cant shoot them anyway, no matter the rifle I'm holding. If I'm out stalking (with the .243) and a fox shows its face then it wont complain about being hit with a bullet twice the weight.

The way I see it, if you want to do it all with one rifle (in Scotland) then any of the .222, .223 or .22-250 calibres are an ideal choice. If you are going to have more than one centerfire then the .204 is well worth considering.

Cant wait to do a side by side comparison :)

Kev.
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby skany » Thu May 15, 2008 7:54 pm

I must say id love a 204 of some sort at some point but not for a while yet mind!

As for cf being kicky & harsh I cant really tell the differnace from 223-243Ai

I havent tried the 243 AI witht the can off it but with the P8 compact its a pussy cat :)
ill have to see how the barrel holds up & how i stomach the deer shooting to waht caliber i get next but due to the bolt size it may be the same again or a super fast .22 with a faster twist!

Andy
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby 6.5x55 » Tue May 20, 2008 7:02 pm

Are you definitely going 'factory'? The .223AI would be a nice middle ground between .223 and .22-250. Mind you, the .204 Ruger's pretty good as it is so why would you go to the extra hassle :lol: .
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby Blue2 » Sat May 24, 2008 7:53 pm

Well I've bought a .20 Cooper now.
Never had a single shot gun before, but it was toooo nice to miss.
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Re: Talk me into the .204

Postby RichardH » Sat May 24, 2008 8:42 pm

Blue2 wrote:Well I've bought a .20 Cooper now.
Never had a single shot gun before, but it was toooo nice to miss.


Best you dont then :razz:
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