204 VS wildcats

I presently own a model 10 in .204 with a sporter barrel that has not been without issues (key holing). I'm considering a change of barrels and as any gun nut would ask--is this the time for the wildcat I've always dreamed of? Seems that alot of folks on this site favor the 20 prac and 20 tac, so I started reading about and researching the merits (or demerits) of these cartridges. Just on this site alone, I read of problems of finding dies, making brass etc, etc. A lot of time and expense to give up 200 fps and save some powder.
So--what's the big reason for complicating things with these wildcats that really aren't that wild?? I've not found any claims on accuracy, one way or another, but most people claim 1/2" or better with the .204 and I doubt that most small rodents would argue with that??!?
I would especially like to hear from Sinman who doesn't admit to owning a 204 reamer--not a flame, Sinman, just curiosity.
Let's put the cards in the air! Steve

I shoot the TAC and love it. I have owned several 204's and they were great but I think the tac is a little more accurate. I can reach almost the same velocities with the tac as the 204 but using less powder and I think that leads to accuracy. Lapua brass being available for it dosent hurt either.

Never tried the practical but, I doubt there is a bit of diff in the performance over the Tac.

5@100yds
[img width=600 height=450]http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/stevecphoto/100_0095.jpg[/img]
5@100yds
[img width=600 height=450]http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/stevecphoto/0101091726-00.jpg[/img]

The main reason for almost any wildcat is "because I want it" I enjoy tinkering.

Steve

I would go for the 204 and a new barrel. I have shot groups the same size with the 204 and you have cheaper dies and brass. You can go over to www.204ruger.com and see the groups that have been shot. With my factory 204 varmit barrel I was shooting high .2 and alot of .3 inch groups. I have since change to McGowen and is still about the same. It maynot be as efficient as some of the others but I dont think that it gives up anything in the accuracy dept to the wildcats. Mine lead me to be a master shooter at the Prarie Dog shoots around here. My wife is 2 misses away from a master shooter. I have alot of wildcats but as far as the 204 goes, I am content with the accuracy of the factory round. Just my $.02 worth

You need to try a different bullet in your barrel. Some like 39 gr Blitzkings and some like Hornady bullets.

+1 to trying different bullets first. If they are keyholing on you, try a lighter bullet (you don't mention which bullets you are using). If you still want a wildcat, that's fine too, I'm not trying to change your mind, just something to try to save you some $$$. My .204 is still in the build stage, however, my brother's .204 (savage 4x4, factory 20" varmint barrel) really likes the 32gr blitzkings, with the 39g bk's a close second fwiw.

Wildcatting is a just because in my book. Some end up being something different but duplicate something else out there. Some are completely different and are really fun and economical to shoot.
One little smoker that I like is the 223AI.

One that I have thought about since the 204 hit the market was taking the 204 case and necking it up to 224 and or back down to 17 caliber.

One I have always wanted but have absolutely zero things to shoot with it is the 22BR.

Go for it

Neal

Neal, the 6-204 is a hoot ,so is the 6-TAC. I have been thinking about a 22-204 for a while, but I have several projects I want to finish first.

As Neal said it is all for fun. If you enjoy tinkering, you will enjoy wildcatting. If you look at reloading as a "chore", it prolly isnt for you.

Steve

20 Practical.........20 Vartarg

Little work to do....dies are easy........

223 brass for the PT...221 FB brass for the VT.........

3900 fps with the PT & 3500 fps with the VT & 40 gr moly V's

Hi I might be the new guy, but isn't a 22-204 a 222 mag. Which is just a slightly bigger 223, and I mean slightly, like 1% more case capacity or there abouts. They do shoot good, I have experience with a 222 mag bench gun but basically identical to a 223.

have not checked, probably a different shoulder angle.

The 22-204 is more like a 222 Rem Mag Improved with the shoulder moved forward and the angle changed to 30 degrees 40gr NBT's at 3950fps out of a 22" Barrel.. I've been shooting one for about five years now and I like it alot, it does everything the 223AI does with no fire forming and off the shelf dies. I also shoot a 6mm-204 and a 25-204. The 25-204 is my deer rifle and the 6mm-204 is one of my coyote guns.

375 Win

I shoot a 6X47 and the 204 shoulder is forward of the shoulder of the 222 Mag case.

The 6X47 is the (wildcat)cartridge I taught my children and my wife to shoot and then to deer hunt with some 35 years ago. I used it in a Thompson contender for deer and sheep hunting back in the same era.

Neal

One great thing about rounds based on the 223 is that surplus brass is easy and inexpensive to get. I like the 20 Tactical very much (have 4 of them). Forming brass is easy, just run a piece of 223 brass into the forming die, then in the sizing die, load it with some powder and a bullet and you are set. It really is that easy. When I'm in a hurry, I don't even bother running them in the forming die, just the full length sizing die and call it a day. No issues either way. The 20T loves speed. The one in the pic runs at 4300 FPS with a 32 grain VMax being pushed by H4198.

Adrian

[img width=600 height=449]http://photos.imageevent.com/avangorder/guns/coloradopdoghuntingtrip/large/DSCN1767.JPG[/img]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 358Hammer

...One I have always wanted but have absolutely zero things to shoot with it is the 22BR...

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The22BR is a Wonderful round. Below is a pic of a 223 on the left and a 22BR on the right. The 223 is loaded with a 40 grain VMax and the 22BR is loaded with a 50 grain Sierra. The 22BR will push the 50 grain bullets faster than the 223 can drive a 40 grain VMax. The 22BR will do this without any pressure signs at all. Wonderful round and extremely accurate.

Adrian
[img width=228 height=450]http://photos.imageevent.com/avangorder/guns/variouspics/large/223-22BR.jpg[/img]