What is a Small Caliber

[Bill K]

We can hope the Mod/owners and members will come up with something to breath live back in the site, rather than a slow death as Rick mentioned a few posts back.

[Mike in Oregon]

For the purpose of this Forum, what should we say are the specifics of a small caliber? We need to include rifles and handguns. Perhaps parameters for each that we feel suits the 204 Ruger.com website? Let's hear your thoughts!

This is all subject to the website owner's approval. Thanks, in advance!

Small-bore centerfire cartridges;
When a rifleman decides to make the move to a small-bore rifle—whether for hunting, target shooting or for defensive measures—their choice of cartridge usually ends being highly debated. I’ve seen guys who were friends for decades get extremely hot under the collar when arguing the .22-250 Remington versus the .220 Swift, to the point where I thought it might come to blows.

Bring up the .204 Ruger and you might find a shooter who feels that all other bore diameters are an absolute waste of time, and the shooting world was just waiting for a .20-caliber cartridge. And then there’s the huge crowd of folks who feel that small-bore cartridges begin and end with the 5.56mm/.223 Remington, and that’s that.

For the hunter/shooter looking for a small-bore cartridge to best fit his or her needs, there are some considerations to keep in mind with any of the small-bore choices, and the more you know, the easier the choice will be. Let’s look at some of the more common choices between .17 and .22 caliber, and what each has to offer.

The Teenagers;
This .17 caliber is the smallest bore diameter of the commercially loaded cartridges and offers some serious heat. This bore diameter can be traced back to the Flobert rifles—using no powder, only a primer as propellant—and was championed by P.O. Ackley. Remington was the first to legitimize the 0.172-inch-caliber cartridges, with the 1971 release of the .17 Remington.

Based on a slightly modified .223 Remington case, the .17 Remington will propel 20- and 25-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of 4,250 fps and 4,040 fps, respectively. This velocity level will test the mettle of any bullet, let alone frangible varmint bullets of 20 to 25 grains, and the .17 Remington can be nearly explosive upon impact. The hydraulic shock generated will certainly create “red mist” when used on woodchucks and prairie dogs, and if placed correctly, it will hold even the bigger Eastern coyotes.

The .17 Remington can be heck on barrels, especially if you overheat them, and fouling can be a real issue if you don’t stay on top of it. Accuracy will degrade, and cleaning any of the .17 bores can be a challenge, as it requires a cleaning rod of special diameter, as well as tiny little patches.

Remington also had the distinction of producing the second commercial .17-caliber cartridge, when interest in the .17 Mach IV wildcat warranted the development of the .17 Remington Fireball in 2007. Necking down the .221 Fireball resulted in a cartridge that offers a muzzle velocity rather close to the .17 Remington—driving a 20-grain bullet to just over 4,000 fps and a 25-grain bullet at more than 3,700 fps—in a smaller case. I find the .17 Remington Fireball to be a bit more barrel friendly than the larger .17 Remington, but despite a bit of fanfare upon release, factory ammunition is becoming increasing rare … if you can find it at all.

The youngest of the bunch—Hornady’s .17 Hornet—is based on a P.O. Ackley wildcat, which necked down the highly popular .22 Hornet to hold .172-caliber bullets. While the Ackley variant used a 30-degree shoulder to help increase case capacity, the Hornady version uses a 25-degree shoulder, albeit with less body taper.

[skipper]

Mike

Nice article. I see you do your homework.

I have a custom built 204 Ruger that will launch its pet load of 35 gr. Bergers over Benchmark at 4300 fps. I would not recommend my load to anyone else unless, I knew for certain that they were experienced reloaders as well as shooters. My rifle has a particular configuration of components that made it possible. The Lilja barrel is very heavy and substantial is every respect. The Stole Panda action is a very capable piece of machined mastery. I had the ejector omitted and requested a sleeved firing pin hole that adds confidence when pushing the limits. The whole rig was smithed together by none other that Speedy Gonzales, benchrest champion and master machinist. Those right bolt left port rifles really do lend themselves to bench shooting. It sports a 1 ounce Jewell trigger that allows me to shoot free recoil with great confidence. Mind you I'm not an accomplished shooter but, I am a staunch enthusiast. Doping the wind seems to challenge me the most.

Rick has some custom builds himself. I hope he will weigh in on this thread as well.

My 204.JPG (86.23 KiB) Viewed 8019 times

Panda Action.jpg (577.15 KiB) Viewed 8019 times

[Mike in Oregon]

Mike

Nice article. I see you do your homework.

I have a custom built 204 Ruger that will launch its pet load of 35 gr. Bergers over Benchmark at 4300 fps. I would not recommend my load to anyone else unless, I knew for certain that they were experienced reloaders as well as shooters. My rifle has a particular configuration of components that made it possible. The Lilja barrel is very heavy and substantial is every respect. The Stole Panda action is a very capable piece of machined mastery. I had the ejector omitted and requested a sleeved firing pin hole that adds confidence when pushing the limits. The whole rig was smithed together by none other that Speedy Gonzales, benchrest champion and master machinist. Those right bolt left port rifles really do lend themselves to bench shooting. It sports a 1 ounce Jewell trigger that allows me to shoot free recoil with great confidence. Mind you I'm not an accomplished shooter but, I am a staunch enthusiast. Doping the wind seems to challenge me the most.

Rick has some custom builds himself. I hope he will weigh in on this thread as well.


My 204.JPG


Panda Action.jpg

Yes, that was a cut and paste article. I grew up when the rule of thumb was anything over 4K fps was a barrel burner and throat erosion due to pushing copious amounts of powder down the throat. Things have now changed, however with shorter cases and faster powder burn rates. So, with that said, what kinda life are you getting out of the beautiful 204?

[skipper]

She's still on the original barrel. I shoot her a lot but, not so many rounds per session. Admittedly, I baby her. I've seen her stack 'em up several times in the same hole. She performs better than I'm capable of.

[Rick in Oregon]

Skipper, that very nice custom 204 needs some time in the rat patch! She's not reaching her full potential just poking holes in paper, and deserves some field time. The PD's and ground squirrels are waiting to see such a beautiful rifle.

Get her out and stretch her legs, she deserves it!