Tell us about yourself...

[Rick in Oregon]

Welcome aboard there, Hawk.

Don't fret too much about that long 204 throat, it's part of the design that allows those extreme velocities, just like the original Weatherby design. Most shooters find their pet load with the long throat by experimenting. Don't even try to reach the lands, as you won't have enough bullet left in the case neck for any practical use.

The rifle seen above in my post is a custom M700, barrel by Pac-Nor, 11 twist with a custom chamber that uses a reamer originally designed by Todd Kindler, tweaked somewhat by me for my personal use. It will stabilize any .204 bullet up to 40grs and gives groups in the .25" range. I'm able to reach the lands as in rifles so set up for BR use, but mine is strictly a varmint rifle, and used accordingly.

Many members here shoot a Savage, and we've seen some pretty impressive groups from them, so hang in there, you'll find that pet load. You might want to refer to the top banner listing these loads to narrow your search somewhat. Good luck in that regard, let us know how that rifle shoots. And remember, we're "visually oriented" here, so critter and gun porn pics are welcome.

[Jim White]

Hawk...FWIW, I have three 204's, a CZ-527 and two Remington 700's. They all shoot the Sierra 39SBK lights out and the jump varies from .0204 to .0234 to the lands. For what is it worth, my best groups are up near the max load.

[Curramore]

Wild dog at 300 metres exit view 39 grain Sierra BK

IMG_1155.JPG (3.76 MiB) Viewed 102685 times

Starting to try to add a few pics as requested. S.

[Curramore]

A pack of five taken killing calves at night

IMG_7917.JPG (6.7 MiB) Viewed 102685 times

[Bill K]

Curramore, you must be someplace like AZ, NZ with wild dogs like that. What rifle and cartridge is that. Sure gets the job done We like photo's, etc.

[MTPaul]

Crikey there Mate! Welcome to the forum Curramore! It appears the East Coast Ranges of Australia hold a fair amount of medium sized furry creatures who no doubt create problems for your local ranchers - much like the coyotes do here in the US. We'd really like to hear more about your firearm and thank you for the photos. As you will discover, we are a visually oriented bunch, and we always appreciate pictures. BTW-Nice work on the wild dogs.

[skipper]

Anyone know what became of Silverfox? Haven't heard from him in quite a while.

[Bill K]

I have wondered about him also Skipper. Last I read, if I remember correctly several months ago, he was having some health issues. So it makes me wonder if he is just really ill or worse. Sure hope not as he had some very nice stories and photos of his trips out shooting.
Hopefully someone will know and give a update on him.

[Rick in Oregon]

As Bill surmised, SF has been gone for some time now from all the forums he posted on previously.

He had declining health, so you can read into that and hope he's okey, just not posting. I hope that's the case, as he was quite the enthusiastic PD and predator shooter and shared his adventures very well.

[Mike in Oregon]

First of all, I have been redirected by skipper to post here for the first time. Already got in trouble. Secondly, I want to give full disclosure that I am not fully setup and out hunting yet.

So, with that said, let me introduce myself. (in the right place this time)

After a 20+ year hiatus I'm back. In 2019 I started building my varmint arsenal again after completely selling out. Boy have prices changed. This is one thing that I absolutely love to do and will serve me well taking up the vast majority of my time once in retirement. I'll be shooting rimfires and centerfire calibers .172" thru .264". And yes, one of my primary setups is a 204 Ruger. My priority will be sage rats. From there I'll be hunting rock chucks with coyotes in between. I'm still in the setting up phase with reloading, with the end in sight. I'm mainly focused on custom builds now but have a few production rifles that will serve me well. Back in the day, I was unable to afford customs and most gunsmithing. What gunsmithing was done, was done by yours truly. This time I'm doing it right with the budget I have allowed. When not varminting, I like to golf a couple times a week. Both the wife and I like to Boone dock anywhere east of the Cascades mainly to just kickback and relax. I'm hoping she will join me on my sage rat shoots. I'm always looking for new contacts and meeting new people that share the same interest.

[skipper]

It's good to have you aboard the ole Two-Oh-Forum. I see you found the right spot to introduce yourself AND have posted some pictures. Congratulations!!! I think you'll fit in just perfect. That right bolt left port is a really good shooter. One of Savage's finest, IMO. We'll be more than happy to help you spend your hard earned cash with lots of new gear suggestions.

[Jim White]

First of all, I have been redirected by skipper to post here for the first time. Already got in trouble. Secondly, I want to give full disclosure that I am

Welcome aboard, that's a neat set up you have there, I hear ya' as far as custom rifles and the cost thereof but Savage's have a reputation of being pretty darn accurate right out of the box plus that barrel nut set up is something that can be used to really dial in the headspace setting [or so I hear]. The only Savage I have is a 17 HMR and its a real accurate rifle, right out of the box.

Anyway, I hear ya' about east of the Cascades, I enjoy it every time I get over there but its too bad WA, CA and OR are run by those west of the Cascade and Sierra Mountains.

[Mike in Oregon]

First of all, I have been redirected by skipper to post here for the first time. Already got in trouble. Secondly, I want to give full disclosure that I am

Welcome aboard, that's a neat set up you have there, I hear ya' as far as custom rifles and the cost thereof but Savage's have a reputation of being pretty darn accurate right out of the box plus that barrel nut set up is something that can be used to really dial in the headspace setting [or so I hear]. The only Savage I have is a 17 HMR and its a real accurate rifle, right out of the box.

Anyway, I hear ya' about east of the Cascades, I enjoy it every time I get over there but its too bad WA, CA and OR are run by those west of the Cascade and Sierra Mountains.

I hear you on the Savages. We took a couple trips to Idaho last year to check it out for retirement. Nice, but not what we expected. We thought we'd try the east side of the Cascades too, but we decided to throw out the anchor and stay put.

[Rick in Oregon]

Mike, it's well known that I'm not a Savage fan, but I'll be the first to admit they do indeed have a stellar rep for good outa-the-box accuracy. I wish more makers would produce the left port/right bolt configuration, as for serious bench/rat shooters, it has no equal.

The rifles shown show that you've done your homework, and now that "you're back", they should serve you very well in the rat patch so set up. Quality handloads are sure to be present on your bench by the look of your new loading room too. Skippy is in for more trouble!

IRT your wife going with you on sage rat shoots; for some years my wife went with me PD shooting to MT, WY and SD. We met some very nice folks, shared the field with some writers and guys many would recognize from reading gun/varmint shooting magazines. She also became quite adept at being a valued spotter too, once she learned the military jargon of directing the shooter to a tiny target "way out there". Good wives are hard to find, and once found, you want to keep them around.

As you mention rock chucks, I'll close with a few pics of one of my favorite pastimes. This one is from 1980; Sako Vixen in 223 w/Leupold M8 12X and some local chucks not far from home:



More close to home....chuck mom and her pups emerging from their burrow last spring to take a look about:



My Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221 "Furball" w/Leupold VX3 6.5-20X LR. That chuck was peeking over a rock, high on the rock pile at 262 yards. He launched at the hit from a Nosler 40gr Varmageddon with a audable "thowp!" I find myself taking the Cooper Phoenix out for chucks more of late to keep my other rifles with nice Claro stocks safe from the nasty lava rock so previlent here. But it seems the chucks really like the stuff for their dens.



Good to have another like-minded guy with us. Looking forward to more of your posts and pics....we really like pics!

[Mike in Oregon]

I went through heck and high water to find my wife. And she's a keeper! I have to admit, I will not be buying anymore Savages. Too many working parts (bolt) and not enough aftermarket (triggers) for them IMHO. I like the concept of the barrel nut and with a little confidence, a DIY'er might be able to swap barrels or play with head spacing.