AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
15 years ago when I did the 204 Ruger case in 224, 6mm and 257, I just wanted to build a .257 deer rifle with a .378 boltface for a deer hunt I had coming up that fall. It worked out so well (it matches the original factory ballistics of the 250-3000 and 257 Roberts) I built the 223 and 6mm version. If I were doing it today with the availability of the 22 Nosler case with about the same capacity as the 204 case and the ability to be able to use it in a truly short action L-461, Mini Mauser or Mini Howa I'd give it ago. With the availability of both the Mini Howa and Mini Mauser with 7.62x39 boltfaces the Grendel case would have been great also.
My first the 25-204 turned in stellar performance 100gr Partitions at 2850fps turned out to be a great little deer rifle, 85gr NBT's at 3000 and 75gr V-max at 3150 fps makes it the hammer of Thor on coyotes.
25-204 100gr Partition, Savage 11, PacNor barrel, Weaver V-3, Public lands Northern WI
The 22-204 is my got to winter pelt hunting rifle, pushing 40gr NBT's at 4000fps drops them right now with little fur damage, what more can I ask.
22-204 experimenting with 50gr NBT LS's, Savage 11, factory 223 barrel rechambered, Sightron 1.5-6x40mm scope.
The 6mm-204 was just an after thought, I had a 22-204 reamer and had a 6x47 Rem barrel so the throat and neck were already correct so why not put a 6mm pilot on the reamer and open up the 6x47 to 6mm-204. It turned in stellar performance but was rather ho hum, not big enough for deer (in my eyes) and too much for coyotes (pelt damage).
At the time WA was making noises about going all lead-free as CA has done. The 6mm-204 has become my platform for Lead free coyote hunting. Both 62gr VG's and 55gr NBT LF's have proven accurate and I've killed a number of coyotes with it. So if I'm forced to hunt coyotes lead free I'm already on my feet running.
All three can be loaded with the same 204 Ruger Redding Type "S" FL Bushing die by swapping out the expander ball and bushings.
My first the 25-204 turned in stellar performance 100gr Partitions at 2850fps turned out to be a great little deer rifle, 85gr NBT's at 3000 and 75gr V-max at 3150 fps makes it the hammer of Thor on coyotes.
25-204 100gr Partition, Savage 11, PacNor barrel, Weaver V-3, Public lands Northern WI
The 22-204 is my got to winter pelt hunting rifle, pushing 40gr NBT's at 4000fps drops them right now with little fur damage, what more can I ask.
22-204 experimenting with 50gr NBT LS's, Savage 11, factory 223 barrel rechambered, Sightron 1.5-6x40mm scope.
The 6mm-204 was just an after thought, I had a 22-204 reamer and had a 6x47 Rem barrel so the throat and neck were already correct so why not put a 6mm pilot on the reamer and open up the 6x47 to 6mm-204. It turned in stellar performance but was rather ho hum, not big enough for deer (in my eyes) and too much for coyotes (pelt damage).
At the time WA was making noises about going all lead-free as CA has done. The 6mm-204 has become my platform for Lead free coyote hunting. Both 62gr VG's and 55gr NBT LF's have proven accurate and I've killed a number of coyotes with it. So if I'm forced to hunt coyotes lead free I'm already on my feet running.
All three can be loaded with the same 204 Ruger Redding Type "S" FL Bushing die by swapping out the expander ball and bushings.
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