Just got back from one of the best P-dog hunts in the last 20 years. We found 2 nice areas with lotsa dogs. The .204 was spectacular. Seemed to be a constant wind as always in Wyoming (20-35mph), so we tried to position our shots either with or against the wind. Even still if we had to shoot across the wind the .204 really did the job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif With all the options available out there I have no doubt I'd buy another .204. Sorry no pics. I'm a computard. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif Saw a Red Fox hunting a river bank for small critters and a red tailed hawk chick and its momma in its nest (very cool). It had nested in a power pole perch that had been taken down off the power pole and was on the ground. A great time and I look forward to the next one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just spent 4 days in Wyoming
- Thread starter Al_Hansen
- Start date
Linefinder
New member
For a few years, I never gave the .204 much consideration. I figured those light bullets, even at warp speed, would give up too much to these Western winds. I was mistaken. Badly mistaken.
A hunting partner of mine bought a Savage in .204 Ruger as his first pdog rifle. Within a year, he had 3 custom rifles built, all based on a .20 cal something. While they are all very nice, especially the .20 VarTag, the .204 Ruger remains his "go to" gun.
I made the mistake of replacing a .223 Rem that I sold with another .223 just last summer. I can't wait to shoot out the factory barrel, because when I do, it gets a Krieger, and will be chambered in .204 Ruger...(Or maybe, .20 VarTag....).
Glad you had such a good hunt! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Mike
A hunting partner of mine bought a Savage in .204 Ruger as his first pdog rifle. Within a year, he had 3 custom rifles built, all based on a .20 cal something. While they are all very nice, especially the .20 VarTag, the .204 Ruger remains his "go to" gun.
I made the mistake of replacing a .223 Rem that I sold with another .223 just last summer. I can't wait to shoot out the factory barrel, because when I do, it gets a Krieger, and will be chambered in .204 Ruger...(Or maybe, .20 VarTag....).
Glad you had such a good hunt! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Mike
claimbuster
New member
Hey Al, sounds like you had a super trip. That's great!
I too, really like my 204"s However, this year I'm playing with a 20 Vartarg, a necked down 221 Fireball. I'm sending a 32 gr. V-Max down field at 3700 fps. Not a 204, but it is quieter and less recoil.
My 220 Swifts are in jeopardy with the 204's in the stable.
I too, really like my 204"s However, this year I'm playing with a 20 Vartarg, a necked down 221 Fireball. I'm sending a 32 gr. V-Max down field at 3700 fps. Not a 204, but it is quieter and less recoil.
My 220 Swifts are in jeopardy with the 204's in the stable.
Claimbuster : With the wind blowing we forgot at times to put in the ear plugs. Would shoot a couple of rounds and remember to put them in. No ringing in the ears. Not bad at all as far as the boom factor. That little .20 can really move. Did a great job in the wind. I don't think the .243 and the .223's did as well as the little .20. The impact and explosiveness of that thing is spectacular. Watched a lot of the action in the scope. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hows the dog population over on the eastern side of "Big Wonderfull Wyoming" ?
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philip
New member
Claimbuster,
I can`t believe that you`d even think about giving up on your swift,don`t worry i`m sure it`s just a phase.We went to our property last weekend to shoot `em up.........BOY what a waste of time that was..........TOOOOO HOOOOTTTTTT and nobody home.
I`m pretty bummed so i guess i`ll just have to bug you for some vartarg loading info. mine should be here soon,so it seems like i`ll have nothing but time to work on it.
Phil.
I can`t believe that you`d even think about giving up on your swift,don`t worry i`m sure it`s just a phase.We went to our property last weekend to shoot `em up.........BOY what a waste of time that was..........TOOOOO HOOOOTTTTTT and nobody home.
I`m pretty bummed so i guess i`ll just have to bug you for some vartarg loading info. mine should be here soon,so it seems like i`ll have nothing but time to work on it.
Phil.
claimbuster
New member
I guess I was a bit careless in my earlier post. There is NO worry about the 220 Swift's in my house...they are secure. In fact one of the Swifts is a rifle my Dad built up on an FN Mauser action and he made the stock. It, at birth, was capable of of shooting 1/2 MOA groups and that was 1953.
In later years my Dad, as he would read articles on varmint calibers in gun magazines, would come across statements that the 22-250, the 224 Weatherby, etc, etc, were almost as good as the Swift. His responses were always the same, "By God if they are almost as good as the Swift, then get a Swift and be done with it".
After having a great weekend with one of my Swifts in some Wyoming PD fields, maybe "father knows best".
But, I am still madly in love with the new 20 VT.
In later years my Dad, as he would read articles on varmint calibers in gun magazines, would come across statements that the 22-250, the 224 Weatherby, etc, etc, were almost as good as the Swift. His responses were always the same, "By God if they are almost as good as the Swift, then get a Swift and be done with it".
After having a great weekend with one of my Swifts in some Wyoming PD fields, maybe "father knows best".
But, I am still madly in love with the new 20 VT.
When I came through eastern Wyoming last month I ran across a rancher who was no friend of the p dogs. He lost 15 head of catted to broken legs. He said coyotes chase the cows, and they step in the p dog holes, or break through their tunnels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Frank
Frank