New Rifle Cartridge -- .204 Ruger

[Guntalk]

Today, Ruger and Hornady announced a new rifle cartridge which Hornady will load and Ruger will chamber.

It's a varmint round, called the .204 Ruger.

For details, see: www.guntalk.com

"Sturm, Ruger is proud to introduce five rifle models for 2004 in an exciting new caliber: the 204 RUGER. This small, fast, and efficient new cartridge is the result of another joint development effort between Sturm, Ruger and Hornady Manufacturing Company. The 204 RUGER shares the same case head and overall length dimensions as the 222 Remington Magnum, but uses a slender new 20 caliber, 32 grain, V-MAX„¥ bullet. The 204 RUGER¡¦s bullet has an extremely efficient ballistic coefficient of 0.192 and an amazing muzzle velocity of 4,225 feet per second."

 

[JohnMc]

This doesn't sound that different from a Tactical .20, except it's been "legitamized" by Ruger & Hornady. Hmm, maybe that does make it better.

John Mc

 

[P95Carry]

Hmmm ...... quoted velocities at these levels make me think of the .17 (Rem) which well exceeds the 4,000 fps mark ... and has been reputed to wear out a barrel in a mere 2,000 rounds

Not sure it is really needed... is it? I mean, .17 WMR fills a useful low cal varmint gap .... but is not too extreme.

 

[El Tejon]

NO HONEST MAN NEEDS ANYTHING FROM RUGER.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Y

A

W

N

.

.

.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

 

[Okiecruffler]

The perfect thing for those who need something smaller than a .222, but larger than a .17 rem. Can't wait for the new .42mag revolver to come out.

 

[P95Carry]

Can't wait for the new .42mag revolver to come out.

Naw .. that's the 42.5 mag you're thinkin of Okie!

 

[Mannlicher]

and another huge yawn here. What I can't do with my .22, or .22 mag, I seem to do just fine with my .222 Remington. I don't need, or want a .17, OR a .204 Ruger.

 

[ojibweindian]

Manlicher

Agreed.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Think of the children

 

[Art Eatman]

To me, this cartridge is similar to the short and short-short magnums: Not really a Good Enough Deal to replace some particular cartridge that's been serving well, but good if the performance will fill a hole in your collection. I wouldn't replace my '06 with a .300 WSM, nor my .223 or .220 Swift with this .204. It would fill the gap between a .22 rimfire or .22 Hornet, and a .243...

Also, all of these seem more suited for an experienced handloader than for the more casual "storebought" ammo user. Load lighter for less serious work and for extending the barrel life, or more toward max for actual hunting...

$0.02,

Art

 

[Mike Irwin]

"It would fill the gap between a .22 rimfire or .22 Hornet, and a .243..."

So do about 150 other cartridges, if you count the European offerings and all of the obsolete stuff that's out there...

What has this new cartridge doomed from the outset, though, is the simple fact that there's FAR too much cheap surplus ammo available for the .223.

People are familiar with the .223 and its capabilities, and I doubt that you're going to see a lot of people picking this new Blunder, er... excuse me, Ruger cartridge over the .223.

I give it two years of splash, 10 years of limping along like a wounded deer, and finally a merciful death....

But, I've been wrong before...

The .280 is still drawing ragged breaths, and the .350 Remington Mag. received a shot of adrenaline (which is already wearing off, from what I understand).

 

[azthistletoe]

You all know it's the 7.5 MAS taking the world by storm right now.

 

[rock jock]

Oh boy, a new caliber. I'm underwhelmed.

 

[buttrap]

Ahhh why? Yuppies?

 

[russlate]

This rush to put out new cartridges unfortunately may be the last gasp of an about to be banned or bankrupted industry. God I hope I'm wrong about that.

Time to buy primers and cases in 1,000 round lots, an extra reloading press, dies, and lots of bullets and powder. Bullet molds wouldn't hurt either.

 

[David4516]

I think Ruger just wants their name on a caliber, sort of like Glock and the ".45 Glock Auto Pistol" caliber.

I just can't belive how many "new" calibers have been coming out in the last couple years. You've got the WSMs, the Remington Ultra Mags, the .17 HMR, the .45 GAP, the .32 NAA, etc, etc...

Whats the deal? I don't think this many new rounds have ever been introduced in so short a time before...

 

[PJR]

Don't hold your breath waiting for one. Ruger announces all manner of things and doesn't come through. The most recent example is their Gold Label shotgun. It made it's second appearance at the Grand in Vandalia this year and none have made it on to the shelves.

A fast .20 caliber? What in heck would I need that for when I have a .22 Hornet and a .223?

I'm with Mike. YAWN!!!!

 

[Art Eatman]

Aw, you guys! Don't be so cynical. Hey, the manufacturers are trying to pump up sales, okay? At least some of this stuff seems like more of a "new thing" than the "new and improved" 2004 automobiles.

Or soap. Or any other newest "gotta have" that the TV folks are trying to sell ya.

, Art

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

But I am not required to buy an expensive soap dispenser for new and improved soap. Although, I am for any reason to buy a new gun, practicality aside. I would not buy this one.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Cynical? No.

Underwhelmed to the maximum extent allowed by law? Yes.

 

[caz223]

Another earthshattering YAWN!

 

[Dave R]

I can see a niche for this. Varmit hunters who want more oomph than a .17 cal and less powder than a .22-250 and more range/flatter trajectory than a .223.

Yah, its a narrow niche.

And with the muzzle velocity they're talking, my guess is that it WILL eat barrels pretty quick.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Wow. I am so underwhelmed. I can honestly say that I have absolutely no interest in this sub- ¼ bore round.

Which is unlike me.

 

[GySgt]

I need another caliber, like I need another hole in my head.

No Thanks........