the wonders of the .204

[Overlay]

still running in with the 204 using 32 grn v max factory load. 2 foxes and 3 rabbits closest shot 285 yds furthest 315 yds according to the accolade RF
one notch on the reticule on the yukon 470 s using the onboard IR bang on the money, zeroed at 100 yds

what an amazing calibre, the accuracy is phenomenal, i liked the 17 hornet for long range rabbits 204 easily outstrips the 17 h on foxes 100% on knockdown

 

[Dawnrazor]

What's the recoil difference between the 17 hornet and the 204.

 

[Overlay]

none really 17 H is a really nice calibre, only reason i changed over was the knockdown with the 204 was better
one of the guys on here sent me a grid for using the reticule and i gave that a good run over on targets the 300 yds to make sure i’d got it right earlier then out foxing and it all worked perfectly really pleased the 204 shoots like a pop gun but very very quick a perfect long range rabbit and foxing round i think MV is 4225fps at the muzzle
i’m really pleased with it, very good clear night and the NV was perfect and very clear
cracking night out and i got what i went there for 2 foxes.
i’m getting used to it now

 

[johndeere]

seriously thinking of moving to 204 how does it perform in the wind

 

[25 Sharps]

seriously thinking of moving to 204 how does it perform in the wind

Once they ban lead bullets, not so well!

 

[Overlay]

haven’t had the rifle long, so far it’s been brilliant on accuracy, maybe in the winter gales it may play up, but i’ve got that covered with 222 and 22 hornet in heavier loads
zeroed it in a bit of a breeze, just needed a little tweak to get it bang on, shoots very well with factory ammo, managed to get a large same batch of ammo, really all sorted accuracy wise, back out again tomorrow and saturday on foxes out of a high seat on a chicken farm which should be interesting as the fields have all been mowed pretty low, hopefully the nights will stay clear for the NV and be able to open the range up again, got thermal on the 222 i’ll chuck that in a bag just in casey.

 

[20-250]

Once they ban lead bullets, not so well!

I'm struggling to see how anyone's going to know whether I'm using up my stash of 40 grain V-Max or a lead-free alternative in my 20 Tac if a lead ban for vermin control ever comes. Don't get me wrong, I'll sort out a load with non-lead if I have to and will try really hard to make sure I don't inadvertently load one of the 8 or 9 hundred V Max I have squirrelled away. Honest.

 

[User00035]

Once they ban lead bullets, not so well!

Maybe my .243 will be repurposed as a lightening varminter...

 

[25 Sharps]

Maybe my .243 will be repurposed as a lightening varminter...

Be interesting to see the 55gr copper BC too

 

[Muir]

I gave my CZ 204 Varmint to my girlfriend. She loads Nosler BT 40 grainers over Varget and yanks prairiedogs out of their holes at 300-350 yards. Never tried 32 grainers but the 40 grain load mentioned will keep 5 shots under one of your pennies at 100 yards.~Muir

 

[Overlay]

Maybe my .243 will be repurposed as a lightening varminter...

You wouldn’t go far wrong with the .243, cracking calibre whether your on lead or the other ammo, I use mine for the longer shots until I got this 204

 

[Overlay]

I gave my CZ 204 Varmint to my girlfriend. She loads Nosler BT 40 grainers over Varget and yanks prairiedogs out of their holes at 300-350 yards. Never tried 32 grainers but the 40 grain load mentioned will keep 5 shots under one of your pennies at 100 yards.~Muir

Hi Muir
Thats awesome
I didn’t expect the accuracy and knockdown of the round at or over 200-300 yds I think the 39 grain would be the most popular for most guys which I have managed to get some and the variation of the two rounds is sub half inch at a 100
i did get a good number of the 32’s of all the same batch and the accuracy and performance is brilliant the grouping is excellent with so far 11 foxes falling to it without any problem at all, with the range and knockdown it’s superb

not expecting to reload, but I’m keeping all the once fired cases just in Casey

I loved the 17 hornet for long range rabbits and had a tear in the eye when it went but it’s replacement the 204 is good for them and the distant foxes, I wasn’t too sure about the capabilities of the 17 hornet on a rangey fox shot

I’m sure people have grassed many foxes with the 17 H without any problems, the few I grassed didn’t really give me the confidence of a clean kill and from there the call for a 204 entered the head and I’m very pleased with it

 

[sunndog]

Has anyone got a .204 in shorter barrel lengths like around16" ?
Wondering how a short barrel actually performs in the real world

 

[Overlay]

Has anyone got a .204 in shorter barrel lengths like around16" ?
Wondering how a short barrel actually performs in the real world

Hi SD
it was my 100% intention to do just that, have it cut back with a over the barrel mod, but after running it in, zeroing and using it, I’m pretty well convinced with keeping it as it was made, if it ain’t broke and all that, I’m going to leave the length as it is and just enjoy shooting it, the other thought bit is finding another barrel if it was to go tits up as well, blaser barrels are hiking up in price somewhat and hard to get hold of at the moment - I’m a scaredy cat

 

[sunndog]

I dont blame you mate, reckon someone must have done it though.

I really like .204 but that barrel length is just too unwieldy for me

 

[bluesako]

I'm struggling to see how anyone's going to know whether I'm using up my stash of 40 grain V-Max or a lead-free alternative in my 20 Tac if a lead ban for vermin control ever comes. Don't get me wrong, I'll sort out a load with non-lead if I have to and will try really hard to make sure I don't inadvertently load one of the 8 or 9 hundred V Max I have squirrelled away. Honest.

me to honest

 

[old keeper]

The 17Hornet is a small vermin round and does that extremely well however, I found that there were situations where on foxes it could lead to runners, this happened too often for my liking. On the other hand, my 204R will drop foxes on the spot within the ranges I use it at (200 to 250 yards max).
having had most calibres over the years, whilst I still think the 223 is probably the best for fox, I thoroughly enjoy loading for and shooting the 204R. Where reloading is concerned you struggle to find a load that doesn't work! in this excellent calibre.

 

[cjs66]

Has anyone got a .204 in shorter barrel lengths like around16" ?
Wondering how a short barrel actually performs in the real world

My Tikka T3x is shortened to 19" with a Wildcat over barrel moderator. Makes it easier to handle in the truck. It's still very accurate but, factory 32g Hornady Vmax are now only doing 3800fps. The box quotes 4200ish. Sorry, but I didn't chrono before the chop. My 39g Sierras with 10x are only doing 3350fps but are very accurate as is my 32g Nosler Varma loaded with CFE223 at 3850fps. Chop much more than that and you might as well use a 222/223.

cjs

 

[Overlay]

My Tikka T3x is shortened to 19" with a Wildcat over barrel moderator. Makes it easier to handle in the truck. It's still very accurate but, factory 32g Hornady Vmax are now only doing 3800fps. The box quotes 4200ish. Sorry, but I didn't chrono before the chop. My 39g Sierras with 10x are only doing 3350fps but are very accurate as is my 32g Nosler Varma loaded with CFE223 at 3850fps. Chop much more than that and you might as well use a 222/223.

cjs

good bit of info, i’ll be leaving mine whole i think

 

[sunndog]

My Tikka T3x is shortened to 19" with a Wildcat over barrel moderator. Makes it easier to handle in the truck. It's still very accurate but, factory 32g Hornady Vmax are now only doing 3800fps. The box quotes 4200ish. Sorry, but I didn't chrono before the chop. My 39g Sierras with 10x are only doing 3350fps but are very accurate as is my 32g Nosler Varma loaded with CFE223 at 3850fps. Chop much more than that and you might as well use a 222/223.

cjs

Oooh MV figures too!
Brilliant thanks

Your last line there pretty much sums it up.
Even at 19" it's still a long gun when you can get 55gr .223 to do about 3000fps out of a 14" barrel.

As overlay says probably best left as is and get all the benefits of the cartridge