I am thinking I need a new gun, my dad has a .17HMR and I have been really impressed with it. I don't know much about the .204... What do you guys think will be the better gun for just shooting crows, squirls, and apples? Any other insight would be great too.

 

For that kind of shooting out to about 125 yards go with the 17 HMR. The 204 is a centerfire 4000 fps unit which is a little more specialized and much more expensive to shoot. More into handloading and zapping prairie dogs at 350 yards then yeah get a 204.

 

I agree with Shady. If all you're doing is shooting squirrells, apples, and crows, go with the .17 HMR. If there are other things that you like to see blow up, then the .204 is for you. Although the .204 is a new caliber, all the hype says it's the fastest rifle out there (off the shelf that is). But do keep in mind these velocities are going to take it's toll on the barrell and life expectency on the barrell is yet to be determined. That's why I opted for a .223. Cheap to shoot, cheap to reload and still a blast to blow things up.

Go to www.dogbegone.com and watch the video's. They're using 22-250's, .223's and .17HMR's. They might have the .204 on there now.

 

Absolutely. If you want more than the 17 but don't want to care for a fussy 4000 fps quick wearing barreled 204, the 223 is great. I have one in 700 Classic that I dearly love, it shoots 3" groups at 300 yards, you can buy ammo for 3.49 a box at a gun show, and just plink to your heart's content. Pretty much the perfect small centerfire unless you really want to get specialized.

 

17HMR - $7.50/box
204 ruger - $15/box

I have three 17HMR's. a Ruger 96/17, a Ruger 77/17 and a taurus Tracker Rovolver and I love to shoot all of them. But only with no wind can you shoot accurately over 100 yds. Get a BSA Sweet 17 scope and you have a tack driver.
BobHAJ

 

Or get a 17 Mach2. It's a 22 birdshot case necked down to .17. I hear that factory ammo is match quality and the ammo is cheaper than the 17HMR. This is my next gun in a Ruger Mark III.
BobHAJ

 

Ditto.

 

found this post in another site:


I've p'dog hunted with a guy that has one, and I even shot a couple 'dogs with it. Sweet little rifle, but, as I kind of suspected, at +/- 4000 fps, he's having the devils own time with copper fouling. He likes the rifle quite a bit, but it hasn't taken him long to start leaving it at home when he heads to the prairie dog towns.
I figured maybe with use, the bore would smooth out and the problem would likely go away, but he doesn't think so.

Also found this from Sturm Ruger in regards to barrell life expectency:

When compared directly with either the 22-250 Remington or the 220 Swift, the 204 RUGER offers higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory. Because the 204 RUGER cartridge achieves a higher velocity with less propellant than either the 22-250 Remington or the 220 Swift, this new cartridge does not compromise barrel life. The 204 RUGER also offers lower recoil and muzzle report than comparable high-velocity, sub-caliber ammunition. Its conventional case shape avoids feeding problems and increased rearward bolt thrust associated with short and super short magnum cartridges.

 

If you're doing general splinking and want to shoot crows and squirrels, go with the .22 Mag. I have the .17 HRM, its okay, but the .22 mag has more energy.

If you want to shoot varmints also, fox and coyotes with no problem, look for a .17 Remington. I have two of them and they are my main hunting weapons for coyotes and fox. I handload and have a load of a 20 grain Vmax bullet traveling at 4200 fps. Tiny little hole going in the coyote with no exit...in case you keep the pelts as I do. Same thing for fox. Don't hit a bone like the shoulder going in though, it will open up a huge hole on the outside when the bullet explodes.

For the things you list though, I would stick with the .22 magnum. I have both the Ruger 10/22 Magnum and also the Remington 597 bull barrel. The remington outshoots the Ruger with no problem.

 

WOW, thanks for all the good info guys, I think I am going to go with the .17HMR, either the Ruger 10/17 or I will see if Browning comes out with one this next year. Can you get those 30 shot banana clips for the Ruger?

My next question... I do want a fast small caliber centerfire for long shots at fox, wolves, and whatever. I am not familar with too many of the calibers, would the .204, .233, or .22-250 be the best for long, accurate shots? Or is there another one out there I am not aware of?