.204 Ruger Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
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 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: At a Glance Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely high velocity, reaching over 4,000 fps
- ✔ Very flat trajectory for long-range accuracy
- ✔ Minimal recoil, making it comfortable to shoot
- ✔ Excellent for varmint hunting and target shooting
- ✔ Good barrel life due to its small bore diameter
Cons
- ✘ Limited effectiveness on larger game animals
- ✘ Ammunition can be more expensive than some common calibers
- ✘ Not as widely available as more popular calibers
- ✘ Performance can be affected by strong crosswinds
- ✘ Requires a specialized rifle, not as versatile as some other calibers
.204 Ruger Ammo: In Depth
The .204 Ruger is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed in 2004 by Hornady and Ruger. It is known for its high velocity, flat trajectory, and low recoil, making it an excellent choice for varmint hunting and long-range target shooting. The .204 Ruger is capable of propelling lightweight bullets at speeds exceeding 4,000 feet per second, offering exceptional performance for its size.
History and Development
The .204 Ruger was introduced in 2004 as a joint venture between Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Hornady Manufacturing. It was designed to bridge the gap between the .17 caliber and .22 caliber varmint cartridges, offering higher velocities and flatter trajectories than existing options.
The cartridge is based on the .222 Remington Magnum case, necked down to .204 caliber (5.2mm). This design allows for high velocities with relatively low chamber pressures, contributing to the cartridge's accuracy and barrel longevity.
Upon its release, the .204 Ruger quickly gained popularity among varmint hunters and target shooters. Its high velocity and flat trajectory made it particularly effective for long-range shooting on small targets, while its low recoil allowed for quick follow-up shots and extended shooting sessions without fatigue.
Ammunition manufacturers have developed a wide range of loads for the .204 Ruger, typically featuring bullets weighing between 24 and 40 grains. These lightweight projectiles, combined with the cartridge's high velocity, result in minimal wind drift and an exceptionally flat trajectory.
The .204 Ruger has found a niche in the varmint hunting community, particularly for prairie dog and ground squirrel hunting where long-range accuracy is crucial. It has also gained a following among target shooters and benchrest competitors who appreciate its inherent accuracy and low recoil.
Complete Timeline of .204 Ruger Development:
.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)
3,900-4,050 fps (40-grain bullets) Varies based on barrel length and load type |
| Trajectory | Extremely flat trajectory at long ranges Effective for varmint hunting beyond 400 yards |
| Energy | 850-900 ft-lbs at the muzzle (32-grain bullets) Provides excellent performance for varmints and small game |
| Recoil | Very low, allowing for quick follow-up shots Manageable even in lightweight rifles, ideal for extended shooting sessions |
| Accuracy | Capable of sub-MOA accuracy in quality rifles Excellent for precision varmint hunting and long-range target shooting |
.204 Ruger: Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .204 Ruger loads.
.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 of 32 to 40 grains and velocities exceeding 4,000 fps.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varmint Hunting | 0-400 | Excellent for prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other small varmints |
| Predator Control | 0-300 | Effective for coyotes and similar-sized predators |
| Target Shooting | 0-600 | Capable of extreme accuracy at long ranges with minimal wind drift |
| Benchrest Competition | 0-500 | 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 minimal recoil. 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 particularly suitable for specific applications:
.204 Ruger Ammo Comparisons
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:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .204 Ruger with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison
Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration and energy retention.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density | Relative SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| .204 Ruger | 32 | 0.146 |
|
| .204 Ruger | 40 | 0.183 |
|
| .223 Remington | 55 | 0.157 |
|
| .22-250 Remington | 55 | 0.157 |
|
| .220 Swift | 50 | 0.142 |
|
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The .204 Ruger offers excellent sectional density for its size, contributing to its reputation for flat trajectory and good penetration in varmint hunting applications.