.204 ruger-maximum range?
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Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
I've shot my 204 Savage to 600 and it holds submoa out there. It's incredibly flat to 400y, but really starts to lose ground beyond 500y.
The 40gr Vmax are excellent for that caliber.
Remember that it's going to toast barrels out faster than that 300 Win will, if you want something to build that's very flexible and has a wide range of bullets available then what about the 3006? Especially if you're a reloader it has fantastic capabilities.
I've shot my 204 Savage to 600 and it holds submoa out there. It's incredibly flat to 400y, but really starts to lose ground beyond 500y.
The 40gr Vmax are excellent for that caliber.
Remember that it's going to toast barrels out faster than that 300 Win will, if you want something to build that's very flexible and has a wide range of bullets available then what about the 3006? Especially if you're a reloader it has fantastic capabilities.
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
Don't. Minimum would be .223 1/8 (1/7 is best).
Lots of match projectiles, long barrel life and cheap to run.
Don't. Minimum would be .223 1/8 (1/7 is best).
Lots of match projectiles, long barrel life and cheap to run.
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
The .204 isn't a barrel burner at all. Experts say it has the same barrel life as a .223. Over on the .204 forum there are some guys with all out custom .204s with 4000 rounds down the tube and still shooting sub moa. I don't think the .300 win mag can touch that.
The .204 isn't a barrel burner at all. Experts say it has the same barrel life as a .223. Over on the .204 forum there are some guys with all out custom .204s with 4000 rounds down the tube and still shooting sub moa. I don't think the .300 win mag can touch that.
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
I have a 3 year old Howa with about 1200 rounds down the tube. Just yesterday with my loads hitting the 500 yard gong (12x12) was pretty easy. With the leupold LR reticle the bottom hash puts it right there. I would take a 400 yard shot at a coyote with the heavier 40 grainers and not think twice.
I have a 3 year old Howa with about 1200 rounds down the tube. Just yesterday with my loads hitting the 500 yard gong (12x12) was pretty easy. With the leupold LR reticle the bottom hash puts it right there. I would take a 400 yard shot at a coyote with the heavier 40 grainers and not think twice.
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
2brothers, can you explain the extra powder capacity, smaller bore size, and significantly higher velocities to have the same barrel life as the 223? I am coming up on 1000 rounds down mine, and I expect to see 2000 without much trouble, not over 2500 though.
I highly doubt I'll see 4000 in the 204, but then again, I know of several hide members who have said 4500-5000 with a 300 WM was where they started going MOA+ with it.
I would not choose the 204 for anything, even steel shooting beyond 800y. The bullets are certainly much less expensive for it compared to a similar quality 30 cal. The 40gr bullet in 20 don't see much beyond a .33 G1 BC, so the 3850 fps muzzle velocity degrades rather rapidly.
To the original question, the 300 WM is going to reach much longer distances. The 204 will be cheaper to shoot, neither are known for great barrel life when compared to something like a 308 or even a 30-06.
Taking that in mind, I generally suggest a 308 or 223 for non-reloaders that are starting out because quality ammo is available from several sources in both calibers. For reloaders I suggest the 30-06 or something based on that case, like the 280 or for short action something based from the 308 case like 243, 260, 7mm-08. The 30-06 will outrun a 308 by several hundred yards, it has the case capacity to shoot the 210gr class bullets in the upper 27's through the 2800's depending upon barrel length. Brass is abundant, it works well with about a dozen different rifle powders, and off the shelf ammo that's well suited to every game animal on the continent is available with relative ease.
2brothers, can you explain the extra powder capacity, smaller bore size, and significantly higher velocities to have the same barrel life as the 223? I am coming up on 1000 rounds down mine, and I expect to see 2000 without much trouble, not over 2500 though.
I highly doubt I'll see 4000 in the 204, but then again, I know of several hide members who have said 4500-5000 with a 300 WM was where they started going MOA+ with it.
I would not choose the 204 for anything, even steel shooting beyond 800y. The bullets are certainly much less expensive for it compared to a similar quality 30 cal. The 40gr bullet in 20 don't see much beyond a .33 G1 BC, so the 3850 fps muzzle velocity degrades rather rapidly.
To the original question, the 300 WM is going to reach much longer distances. The 204 will be cheaper to shoot, neither are known for great barrel life when compared to something like a 308 or even a 30-06.
Taking that in mind, I generally suggest a 308 or 223 for non-reloaders that are starting out because quality ammo is available from several sources in both calibers. For reloaders I suggest the 30-06 or something based on that case, like the 280 or for short action something based from the 308 case like 243, 260, 7mm-08. The 30-06 will outrun a 308 by several hundred yards, it has the case capacity to shoot the 210gr class bullets in the upper 27's through the 2800's depending upon barrel length. Brass is abundant, it works well with about a dozen different rifle powders, and off the shelf ammo that's well suited to every game animal on the continent is available with relative ease.
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
I do have a .204 but have never shot that far. 500 yards is my max this far and very accurate. I suppose 800 would be manageable but depends on what your doing. The barrel life is good because of the amount of powder being so little. Yes, it can be made worse by hot loads. If you google it, there is plenty of research done on the .204 barrel life. I am personally suprised to hear a .300 mag can can shoot 4000 rounds. Guess ya learn something new everyday
I do have a .204 but have never shot that far. 500 yards is my max this far and very accurate. I suppose 800 would be manageable but depends on what your doing. The barrel life is good because of the amount of powder being so little. Yes, it can be made worse by hot loads. If you google it, there is plenty of research done on the .204 barrel life. I am personally suprised to hear a .300 mag can can shoot 4000 rounds. Guess ya learn something new everyday
Re: .204 ruger-maximum range?
well with a MV of 3600fps and a 55grn Berger (30" tube and 65000psi) jbm says it shouldn't go subsonic till about 1150 yards or so.
well with a MV of 3600fps and a 55grn Berger (30" tube and 65000psi) jbm says it shouldn't go subsonic till about 1150 yards or so.
