Anyone Home?

[Rick in Oregon]

I come by here daily and notice it seems no one is home any more.

Is the site dead or just slow? Has interest in the 204 wained? It seems popular on other rifle/accuracy forums, the caliber is still one of my go-to's for rockchucks and squirrels, so it makes me wonder why it's so quiet here. I know I'm not the only one shooting the 204. Anyone got an opinion?

The silience is deafening.....maybe it's just my tinitus.

[MTPaul]

Hello Rick, Rick, Rick; (my attempt at mimicking an echo... )

Yes, I'm still here! I have been away on a nearly a month-long extended vacation (ID, WA, OR) and I returned to MT yesterday. While away I typically don't take my laptop along as we are often parked (in our fifth-wheel trailer) in areas with limited or no cell service. Speaking for myself, my interest in the 204R certainly hasn't waned as I recently acquired another rifle (Kimber 84M in 204R), to which I will be mounting my favorite Leupold scope. Then the barrel break-in process will start, and I can't wait to chalk up its first explosive aerobatic prairie dog maneuverer.

I too have noticed the diminished traffic activity on the site and have wondered why as it does still have a fair amount of interest elsewhere. Hmmmm. I don't have an answer, but I will continue checking in as often as I can when I'm in my home state and not away on vacation.

No tinnitus here...but my hearing ain't what it once was.

[Bill 204]

I am just around, since getting back on Rick. However I do a lot of lurking now days rather than post, like I did in the past. Seems like my life has really taken a turn around, since the wife passed away in March/25. But I will lurk and post on occasion.

[Jim White]

I'm still here, I stop by every day or so to check the place out. Yep, I still have my 204's and enjoys launching pills from them from time-to-time. It is kinda' odd how this place just went so silent all of a sudden.

[WesF]

I'm still alive & well and occasionally lurking here. I just haven't been in the mode of posting much on any site!

[joghotrod]

Hi Rick,

I just checked the site yesterday for the first time in years. I used to go to eastern Colorado to shoot Pds. There is very little places in Louisiana to shoot with out driving too far. I got interested in shooting again when my Daughter bought a house and 78 acres in southern Arkansas next to game preserve. I have seen Coyotes and hogs there so started to think about shooting coyotes and hogs with my 204s. Would the 204 with 50 grain burgers be able to take out a hog?

I am glad this site is still here and will check in once in while.

Jimmy

[MTPaul]

Hi Jimmy!

It's good to see there are still those who drop by from time to time, if for nothing else but to check the pulse of the faithful patrons. Hmmm... having access to a place next to a game preserve sounds like it would be the perfect opportunity to make frequent visits, if for nothing else but to satisfy one's curiosity and see whether a target rich environment does indeed exist.

As for the 50 grain Bergers and the potential for this round to take down a hog I will defer to those with more specific experience. However, I know from personal experience, with proper shot placement, the 36 grain Sierra Prairie Enemy will HAMMER a coyote!

Good luck and pictures of your findings will always be appreciated.

Paul

[DeadEyeDeadly]

I have had no luck in trying to post on this forum in the past ... so here goes again. Will try to post a pic of my Savage target action 204 Ruger that I built in 2015.

Savage Target Action – Left Port
McGowen 26” 204 Ruger SS Barrel, 11” Twist, Shilen #7 Heavy Varmint Contour
Richard's Microfit Laminated Stock (Maple Caps/Fiberglass Cheek Riser - My Custom Touches)
Sightron 6X24 Target Scope - Burris Signature Zee Rings
Barrel and Bolt Handle spray painted with Dupli Color High Temp Ceramic Engine Coating

Savage 204 Ruger Target.jpg (648.04 KiB) Viewed 12475 times

VMax 32 Grain 28.8 grs. XBR - Savage.jpg (558.83 KiB) Viewed 12475 times

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Looks like a success!

[MTPaul]

Welcome DeadEye!

Yes, there are still a few hearty souls who wander thru regularly and it's good to see you were ultimately successful in your attempt at posting! And by the looks of the target you shared, you were also successful in putting together a very accurate rifle too. Congratulations! That five shot group is impressive - a tack driver for sure!

The site is home to all manner of 204R enthusiasts who often share pictures of their firearms and yours is certainly one of the more colorful creations that I've stumbled across. You stated you built the rifle in 2015. Have you added any more 204R to your stable of rifles since then?

Again, welcome and thanks for the gun porn.

[Rick in Oregon]

DeadEye, lookin' good there, buddy!

It appears you've figured out how to post photos, and the ones posted sure look good. As Paul mentioned, your rifle may be one of the most colorful ones we've seen posted, and she sure does shoot! Nice job! By chance, were you able to chronograph that load for velocity?

I'll opine that if you use either the 35gr Berger or even the 39SBK, a well placed shot on a hog should not be a problem with your 204R. All my hog hunting has been with my .44 Mag and .357 pistols, so cannot offer any much advice other than the bullets listed above. Having a place next to a reserve can't be bad either, that's fer sure.

Post up the hero pics if you slay a hog with that rifle.

[Jim White]

Hog hunting with a 204...can't say I've heard of any trying that. The few times I have hunted hogs I used something heavier. My experience with the 204 has been confined pretty much to ground squirrels and the bullets [39 SBK] trike me as one that would not be ideal for that venue. Hogs can be pretty tough customers but I would imagine a well placed shot with a solid pill with some umph for penetration should do the job.

Nice group and I'll add, thats a pretty colorful rifle

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Because of ongoing health issues, I haven't shot my Savage Target for over 5 years. I also have an H&R Handirifle in 204 Ruger (haven't shot it since I built the Savage). I only shoot paper targets, as there are no feral hogs in this desert. There are coyotes, but I haven't called any since I killed one with a 270 in 1969. Thanks for the welcome. Hopefully I'll be able to do a whole lot more shooting if I'm able to stay somewhat healthier.
Here's a small sample of some Savage Target 204 loads I managed to chronograph.

Chrono Data 204.jpg (438.37 KiB) Viewed 12411 times

[Rick in Oregon]

DeadEye, do you have group sizes for all those various loads?

It would be nice to see how those loads did in regard to performance on target. Speed is good, but accuracy kills.

[Bill 204]

Yes a view of groups with those loads would be what I would like to see also. Accuracy kills much better than velocity, every time.