.204 Ruger Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.204 Ruger: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle
Primer Type Small Rifle
Used For Varmint Hunting, Target Shooting
Case Design Rimless, Bottleneck
Year Introduced 2004

.204 Ruger: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Extremely high velocity
  • ✔ Very flat trajectory
  • ✔ Low recoil
  • ✔ Excellent accuracy
  • ✔ Minimal wind drift at short to medium ranges

Cons

  • ✘ Limited to small game and varmint hunting
  • ✘ Ammunition can be more expensive than some common calibers
  • ✘ Not suitable for medium or large game
  • ✘ Barrel life can be shorter due to high velocities
  • ✘ Less common than other varmint calibers

.204 Ruger Ammo: In Depth

The .204 Ruger is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed in 2004 by Hornady and Ruger. It was designed to be a high-velocity, flat-shooting cartridge for varmint hunting and long-range target shooting. The .204 Ruger is known for its exceptional accuracy, low recoil, and impressive ballistic performance, making it a popular choice among varmint hunters and precision shooters.

History and Development

The .204 Ruger was introduced in 2004 as a joint venture between Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Hornady Manufacturing. It was developed to fill a niche in the varmint hunting and target shooting market, offering higher velocities and flatter trajectories than existing small-caliber cartridges.

The cartridge is based on the .222 Remington Magnum case, necked down to .204 caliber (5.2mm). This design allows for high velocities while maintaining relatively low chamber pressures, resulting in less barrel wear and longer barrel life compared to some other high-velocity cartridges.

Upon its release, the .204 Ruger quickly gained popularity among varmint hunters and long-range target shooters. Its high velocity and flat trajectory made it particularly effective for shooting small targets at extended ranges, while its low recoil allowed for quick follow-up shots and extended shooting sessions without fatigue.

The .204 Ruger\'s success led to the development of a wide range of factory ammunition and component bullets. Manufacturers have produced bullets ranging from 24 to 55 grains, with the 32 and 40-grain options being the most popular for varmint hunting and target shooting respectively.

Since its introduction, the .204 Ruger has established itself as a staple in the varmint hunting community and has also found favor among benchrest and long-range target shooters. Its combination of high velocity, flat trajectory, and low recoil continues to make it a popular choice for those seeking exceptional performance in a small-caliber rifle cartridge.

Complete Timeline of .204 Ruger Development:

Year Event
2020 The .204 Ruger remains popular among varmint hunters and long-range target shooters, with continued development of new loads and bullets.
2010 Expansion of factory ammunition options, including specialized long-range target loads.
2007 Introduction of 55-grain bullets for the .204 Ruger, expanding its versatility for larger varmints.
2005 Widespread adoption by varmint hunters and growing popularity in benchrest shooting competitions.
2004 Commercial release of the .204 Ruger cartridge and rifles chambered for it.
2003 Final testing and refinement of the .204 Ruger cartridge by Hornady and Ruger.
2002 Initial development of the .204 Ruger cartridge begins as a joint project between Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Hornady Manufacturing.

.204 Ruger Performance

The .204 Ruger offers exceptional performance characteristics that have made it a popular choice for varmint hunting and long-range target shooting. Here\'s a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

Characteristic Performance
Velocity 4,000-4,225 fps (32-grain bullets)\n3,900-4,050 fps (40-grain bullets)
Varies based on barrel length and load type
Trajectory Extremely flat trajectory at medium to long ranges
Effective for varmint hunting beyond 300 yards
Energy 850-900 ft-lbs at the muzzle (32-grain bullets)\n1,000-1,050 ft-lbs at the muzzle (40-grain bullets)
Provides excellent performance for varmints and small game
Recoil Very low, allowing for quick follow-up shots and extended shooting sessions
Manageable even in lightweight rifles, ideal for recoil-sensitive shooters
Accuracy Capable of sub-MOA accuracy in quality rifles
Excellent for precision varmint hunting and long-range target shooting

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .204 Ruger loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.204 Ruger: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .204 Ruger ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Varmint Hunting 0-400 Excellent for small varmints like prairie dogs and ground squirrels
Predator Control 0-300 Effective for coyotes and foxes, limited for larger predators
Target Shooting 0-600 Capable of extreme accuracy at long ranges with proper loads
Benchrest Competition 0-300 Popular for its accuracy and low recoil in benchrest shooting

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .204 Ruger is known for its exceptionally flat trajectory and high velocity. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .204 Ruger

The .204 Ruger\'s high velocity and flat trajectory make it suitable for specific applications:

Varmint Hunting
  • Ideal for small varmints like prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and woodchucks
  • High velocity provides excellent accuracy and minimal wind drift
  • Effective at ranges up to 400 yards for skilled shooters
Predator Control
  • Suitable for coyotes, foxes, and similar-sized predators
  • Flat trajectory allows for precise shot placement
  • Limited effectiveness on larger predators due to lighter bullet weights
Target Shooting and Competition
  • Popular for long-range target shooting due to its accuracy
  • Extremely low recoil allows for easy spotting of impacts
  • Used in benchrest competitions for its precision capabilities
Fur Hunting
  • Minimal pelt damage on smaller fur-bearing animals
  • High velocity creates small entry wounds
  • Not suitable for larger fur-bearing game due to limited penetration

Caliber Comparisons for .204 Ruger

To understand the .204 Ruger\'s place in the rifle world, it\'s helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.204 Ruger vs. .223 Remington ▼

.204 Ruger vs. .22-250 Remington ▼

.204 Ruger vs. .17 HMR ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 100-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density Comparison for .204 Ruger Ammo

The .204 Ruger is known for its high velocity and flat trajectory. This table compares the sectional density of common .204 Ruger bullet weights.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.204 Ruger 32 0.146
.204 Ruger 35 0.160
.204 Ruger 39 0.178
.204 Ruger 40 0.183
.204 Ruger 45 0.206

Note: The .204 Ruger, despite its small bullet diameter, achieves respectable sectional densities due to its relatively heavy bullet weights for its size. This contributes to its excellent penetration capabilities, especially on varmints and small game.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .204 Ruger cartridge?

A: The .204 Ruger is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by Hornady and Ruger in 2004. It\'s based on the .222 Remington Magnum case, necked down to .204 caliber (5.2mm). It\'s known for its high velocity and flat trajectory, making it popular for varmint hunting and target shooting.

Q: What is the typical velocity of .204 Ruger ammunition?

A: The .204 Ruger typically achieves muzzle velocities between 3,900 and 4,225 feet per second with 32 to 40 grain bullets. This makes it one of the fastest commercial cartridges available.

Q: What is the effective range of the .204 Ruger?

A: The .204 Ruger is effective for varmint hunting and target shooting out to 400 yards, with some skilled shooters able to extend this range to 600 yards under ideal conditions. Its flat trajectory contributes to its long-range accuracy.

Q: Is the .204 Ruger suitable for deer hunting?

A: The .204 Ruger is generally not recommended for deer hunting. It\'s primarily designed for varmint hunting and target shooting. The bullet is too light and small for ethical deer hunting in most situations. Always check local hunting regulations for minimum caliber requirements.

Q: How does the .204 Ruger compare to the .223 Remington?

A: The .204 Ruger offers higher velocity and flatter trajectory than the .223 Remington, but with lighter bullets. The .204 Ruger excels at varmint hunting and long-range target shooting, while the .223 Remington is more versatile for medium-sized game. The .204 Ruger also typically produces less recoil than the .223 Remington.

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