204Ruger

I took out a water jug with my Gen 2 today

https://youtube.com/shorts/gtQNmaDxMig? ... a1JQJDewyu

Cool video. The 204 is certainly one of the best cartridges ever developed IMO. It, the 221 Fireball and 20 VT are hard to beat in a hot rat patch [the 17 HMR is a fun one to shoot]. I just hope it doesn't fade into obsecurity like so many good cartridges do. Thanks for posting.

Tom,

Thanks for sharing the video. It clearly demonstrates the hydraulic explosion when the fast-moving diminutive 204 Ruger cartridge meets a water filled vessel. Much like the same result when the same cartridge impacts the soft tissue of a varmint...red mist!

There is a YT channel (Precision PhD) that uses high speed cameras and captures the results of fast-moving cartridges upon impact with prairie dogs. They film at 1,000 frames per second, and the results speak for themselves.

Jim White wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:08 am Cool video. The 204 is certainly one of the best cartridges ever developed IMO. It, the 221 Fireball and 20 VT are hard to beat in a hot rat patch [the 17 HMR is a fun one to shoot]. I just hope it doesn't fade into obsecurity like so many good cartridges do.

Jim, I don't think there's much chance the 17HMR will fade into obscurity any time soon. Out where we shoot, there's more guys shooting the little HMR than any other cartridge, CF or RF. Even the small country stores carry it out in the outback. We've found it's good out to 250 yards on sage rats as long as the wind is not a factor.

Last week in 'rat camp', we were on the edge of a good field just harrowed. After bench shooting in the morning, I set up my Anschutz 17HMR on my Death Grip tripod with a lawn chair and had my way with Skippy and his pals. It was not long until I needed another box of ammo.



Nice when you can get good shooting no more than 50' from the trailer!

The little 17HMR does not give the explosive results TK got with his water jug shot, but under 100 yards, it will launch the rat up to a foot with solid shot placement. Good stuff!

Morning Rick...I certainly hope the 17 HMR doesn't fade. Years ago when I was more active with varmint snipping I bought several boxes (and I mean several) of 17 HMR ammo. I really enjoy shooting it too. My only gripe is it can be a chore to clean if you several rounds are shot without cleaning inbetween. Truthfully though, if thats all I have to complain about; then life is good

I'm looking FWD to reading story and viewing your pictures for your impending rat-festival that is coming up soon.

Jim, same love for the 17HMR. My Anschutz got a real workout last month in E. OR on Skippy and his pals. No disappointments either, any rat within 250 yards wishes he was either in his burrow or much farther away.

The trip was early as the ranch got sold and we had one chance to get over there and work on it for one last time. The event is posted over on AS in the varmint forum. It was another epic trip.

Good to hear the shooting was good and too bad and sorry to hear another shooting venue has gone away. Between that and poison it's starting to look "skimpy" instead of skippy. I'll check it out on the other forum.

I know my little CZ 457 in 17 HMR is deadly out to around 200 yrds and a joy to shot on various critters. Even a few coyotes up to around 100 yrds with lung or head shots. And that is even with the Hornady 15.5 NTX I must use in this silly state now days.

I too occasionally call on my Anschutz 1517 17 HMR to dispatch various critters and as noted by others previously, when the wind cooperates, it is more than capable of reaching out to over 200 yards on occasion. Throughout SW MT, there is a small rodent native to the Great Plains called the Richardson's Ground Squirrel (RGS). This rodent hibernates most of the year, but they emerge in the early spring to feed and mate. The mating season is an intense time for the RGS, with many fights and long chases between the males. It is during the mating season where these targets of opportunity become abundant and where I get the chance to put the 17 HMR through its paces.

I've found the factory load my Anschutz prefers is the Hornady V-max 17 grain and as the following picture illustrates, when I do my job, the rifle is more than capable of dispatching these furry critters. The raptors also began circling overhead soon after I was set up, and as soon as I moved south about a quarter of a mile, they enjoyed the abundant feeding opportunity.

MTPaul...nice looking set up you have there. WRT feeding the raptors, the one downside to that is when they start coming around the squirrels start diving for cover. I don't mind feeding them and infact I enjoy it but dang, they can sure break up the ole' marble game, thats for sure.

Paul, every time I see your Annie 1715, I feel like you won the factory stock wood lottery. That's a very nice stick of wood for sure. And I've found over the past five years or so, my Annie 17HMR gets more use every year with no reloading after arriving home from a week of shooting. Love that little caliber.

Mine also thrives on the same preferred load as yours; the Hornady 17gr V-Max Varmint Express. The raptors seem to appreciate it too.

And Jim White is right.....the raptors really can make the rats dive for cover when they start circling above. Most times they don't even mind the rifle fire, seeming to be drawn to it once it starts. They know they're safe. I've launched rats with explosive effect with one of my 204's with an eagle or hawk feeding not 6' away and the bird just kept feeding. Talk about complacent!

Any wonder why we call him "Skippy the Flying Squirrel"?

Hey Rick - Yes, I've found I too am reaching for my Annie more and more frequently, especially when I'm in a target rich environment and when the targets of opportunity are in the +/- 200-yard range. But when looking for those "explosive effects" it's hard to beat the 204R when launching a pill at 4,000fps - the resulting visuals are truly amazing! "Skippy the Flying Squirrel" indeed!