Getting out the 204's for 2022

Experiences and effectiveness in hunting with the .204 Ruger.
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Rick in Oregon
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Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Well the new year is here, and I'm in the process of getting my rat rifles back out and ready for the upcoming "fun with Skippy" we have every year. So just for fun, I'm posting up some pics from past recent seasons to get that adrenaline pumping once again.

On the bench cooling her barrel is "Wicked Wanda", my Cooper M21 Montana Varminter 204R. Great for teaching rats to fly out in the 450 yard area on the ranch property.

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My buddy Dan launching Skippy with his M700 204 at close range for the camera:

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And for the more skeptical among us, proof that squirrels CAN indeed fly! The rat is center photo, just under the wheel line track poking his head out:

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And wha-LA! We have lift-off low angle, stage right!

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This rat got about 15' of lift from a 32gr NBT:

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Pure shameless 204 Rifle Porn:

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Yours truly working over a cluster of mounds right at the distant fenceline at about 280 yards:

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The "morning office". Don't we wish ALL our mornings were like this?

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One area of this property was SO loaded with rats, we had a group shoot and never moved a bench the entire day, the shooting was so great:

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My 11 twist M700 getting her turn at Skippy and his pals. Named "The Silver Princess of Death", shooting either the 39gr SBK or 40gr NBT, she's good to as far out as I can shoot these little critters:

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And one last flight, don't want to clog the forum's pic capacity, but we all seem to like pics.

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All my ammo is loaded, now it's the waiting game for this thing called "winter" to bug off and bring us some nice sunny weather. We ALL like nice sunny weather! Hope you all have a great spring having fun with varmints and your 204's.
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
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Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Bill K
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.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Bill K »

Thanks Rick. Those pictures and view of the area and lift offs, sure does make me want to get out NOW. But must wait for this to melt and the ground clear and warm sun. :D
This is what my front yard/drive/street still looks like.
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102_7912 (1).JPG (1.38 MiB) Viewed 12163 times
However my 17 & 20's are all ready to romp. :lol:
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Well Bill, that view of your front yard does NOT look like rat season!

Have faith that eventually it will all melt, the rats will be up and about, and you can get your rifles out......eventually. lol
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
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Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Bill K
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.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Bill K »

Oh I know Rick, but I sure am getting anxious, for some pivot fun. It will come to pass, along with some rimrock and chucks. :)
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jpx2rk
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by jpx2rk »

Thanks for the pics RIO.

I've got my first "rat" trip planned out there this year. I'm hoping (praying) all this C19 crap clears up, or goes down, etc., so I have a window of travel to take this off my bucket list.
Master Piddler ;)
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

jpx2rk wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:42 am Thanks for the pics RIO.

I've got my first "rat" trip planned out there this year. I'm hoping (praying) all this C19 crap clears up, or goes down, etc., so I have a window of travel to take this off my bucket list.
No worries jpx, I'm told we all like forum pics, including me.

I hope your rat safari turns out well....weather, covid, etc. In hopes you pull it off, be sure to post the adventure so we all can relish in the fun. Good luck with one on the bucket list!
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
NRA Life/OHA/VHA/VVA

Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Tom Kat
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Tom Kat »

I am somewhere between Rick and Bill. Snow, not as much as Bill, but too much...and it was 3 degrees this morning....
"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones."

John Maynard Keynes
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Tom Kat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 12:02 pm I am somewhere between Rick and Bill. Snow, not as much as Bill, but too much...and it was 3 degrees this morning....
I suppose we just have to buck up and realize it's still winter in most places. I'm under the impression spring WILL occur in the near future. Hope so, rifles ready, ammo loaded......

By the way TK, I really like your forum byline. About the way I feel too nowadays.
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
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Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Bill K
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Posts: 2622
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.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Bill K »

Well first day of spring is Mar 21, no matter what the old marmot said in PA.. :D And I can agree with the fact that a dog is better company than a whole bunch of people these days, especially if they are in politics i.e. Fed, state or city. ;)
dirtcd
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by dirtcd »

I'm ready, guns are ready, just waiting for the call saying, the males are out on top of the snow!!!!
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

dirtcd wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:20 pm I'm ready, guns are ready, just waiting for the call saying, the males are out on top of the snow!!!!
Oh yeah! Won't be too much longer till the fun really starts and rats learn to fly!
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
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Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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Tom Kat
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.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527, Ruger American Predator in Magpul Hunter stock

Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Tom Kat »

Rick in Oregon wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 12:27 pm
Tom Kat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 12:02 pm I am somewhere between Rick and Bill. Snow, not as much as Bill, but too much...and it was 3 degrees this morning....
I suppose we just have to buck up and realize it's still winter in most places. I'm under the impression spring WILL occur in the near future. Hope so, rifles ready, ammo loaded......

By the way TK, I really like your forum byline. About the way I feel too nowadays.
Yeah this is my 60th winter, but I kind of miss working in the yard, etc...

Rick its not very fair of me. Nova is a good girl- calm, obideant, smart, happy. A really great dog. No one on earth, including my lovely wife, is as happy to see me as my dog. She makes me smile every day, no matter how I am feeling. Whats not to love about that? And as for people...there are some good ones, but you have to look for them....
"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones."

John Maynard Keynes
dirtcd
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by dirtcd »

Get em out !!! Skippy is out on the top of the snow looking for girls!! Off I go!!!!!
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

dirtcd wrote: Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:58 pmGet em out !!! Skippy is out on the top of the snow looking for girls!! Off I go!!!!!
Rats up with snow on the ground? Great.....time for "snow painting"!

Be sure to post pics of the spring adventure teaching Skippy to fly. You know how we love pics....... :wink:

Image
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
NRA Life/OHA/VHA/VVA

Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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User avatar
Rick in Oregon
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Posts: 5187
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:20 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Sako 75V, Cooper MTV, Kimber 84M, Cust M700 11 Twist
Location: High Desert of Central Oregon
Contact:

Re: Getting out the 204's for 2022

Post by Rick in Oregon »

dirtcd wrote: Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:58 pmGet em out !!! Skippy is out on the top of the snow looking for girls!! Off I go!!!!!
Rats up with snow on the ground? Great.....time for "snow painting"!

Be sure to post pics of the spring adventure teaching Skippy to fly. You know how we love pics....... :wink:

Image
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
NRA Life/OHA/VHA/VVA

Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails

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