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.

When compared directly with either the 22-250 Remington or the 220 Swift, the 204 RUGER offers higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory. Because the 204 RUGER cartridge achieves a higher velocity with less propellant than either the 22-250 Remington or the 220 Swift, this new cartridge does not compromise barrel life. The 204 RUGER also offers lower recoil and muzzle report than comparable high-velocity, sub-caliber ammunition. Its conventional case shape avoids feeding problems and increased rearward bolt thrust associated with short and super short magnum cartridges.

Because this new caliber provides significant benefits for varmint hunters and target shooters alike, Sturm, Ruger is introducing five rifle models chambered for the 204 RUGER. These include three bolt action rifles and two single shot rifles. The Ruger M77 MKII bolt action rifles include: the M77R in blued steel with a cut-checkered American walnut stock; the KM77RLFP Ultralight All-Weather in stainless steel with a synthetic stock and a light contour barrel; and the Target Grey KM77VT Target rifle in stainless steel with a brown, laminated wood stock, heavy target barrel, and two-stage target trigger. Ruger No.1 single shot models include the No. 1 Standard in blued steel with a cut-checkered American walnut stock and the No. 1 Stainless Varminter in stainless steel with a black, laminated stock.

These new 204 RUGER models will be available beginning in March 2004
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...1-06-2003.html

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Interesting. One wonders if it will offer the same bore fouling problems which plagued the .17 Remington after it's introduction. One also wonders how a cartridge with a greater case capacity firing a bullet 28% heavier at a higher velocity can generate a lower recoil and report than the .17 does.....must be magic.

As is de rigeur for Ruger's introductions, the new models will not be widely available until March, 2005.

This is interesting, since I don't see Hornady's .20 caliber bullet that was introduced a few years ago on their website any longer. They must have REALLY needed a way to get rid of the bullets if they talked Ruger into chambering a rifle for a .20 caliber round.

Well, there ya go, kciH -

Wasn't even aware Hornady had developed a .20 cal bullet in the past.

Was it akin to what the British wanted to introduce as a replacement for the 7.62 Nato before the US sorta rammed the 5.56 down all allied throats?

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"Keep Off The Ridgeline!"

"Firearms only have two enemies - rust and politicans" author unknown

I'm not sure when that bullet was introduced, it may have been just this year and not on the site yet. This round may sell, you never know.

I see that Berger also has a .20 caliber bullet available. If you can watch the exploding vermin through the scope with this, with less wind drift, like the .17's...it could be the next big thing in vermin shooting.

I just don't get it. Another new caliber. For pete's sake, enough is enough. I wish the manufacturers would try to improve their guns or something. There is no game that is not already covered with at least two calibers. Leave the new cartridges to the wildcat crowd.
Crookedshot

also see: http://www.jamescalhoon.com/

I did some research on this new 204. I was trying to decide whether to try it or buy a 220 swift in the new ruger #1. I went with the swift for now. the new cartride is almost identical to a wildcat load called a
var-targ 20 ( i think ) it has pretty good ballistic reports as a wildcat round. it should be just enough bigger than the 17 that is wont be quite as finicky as the 17. no offense to the .17 guys meant. as far as the boasting of 4200 fps, that is great but that is based on a 33 grain bullet. how is a 33 grain going to do at 600 yds with a 15mph cross breeze ? what will be it speeds shooting a 45 grain bullet ? the swift is a proven round. I am actually excited about this new release though. NEF is releasing this caliber and so is encore and contender. I'm sure others are jumping on the wagon as well. I'm going to buy a NEF in the 204 as soon as one hits the market. it will be a cheap way to try it out. ruger and hornady did some research on the first rounds of released store bought bullets, and i am sure the reloaders will be turning out good custom load information shortly after the guns actually come to market.
As far as the Ruger #1. falling block action. awsome rifle.

Been a few 5mm rounds made by experimentors in the past (and at least one way-way back) and a few more recently...didn't think there was a ground-swell of popularity; that Ruger wants to offer it as a factory chabering is a surprise.

Room enough for another round or two...doubt it will earn serious popularity, but it won't hurt a thing to have another option.

Okay here we go , 307 win , 225win, 5mm Rem, 244 rem, 7mm express.
Ballistics aside the fate of some cartridges has rested solely on their choice of names, as unbelievable as that may sound , it's true. in the case of the 244 and 280/7mm express the change of name to something else was even the saving grace of these cartridges. I know this goes against my usual merit based evaluation of new cartridges but My Initial thought when I heard 204 Ruger was One of " Gee, how un-sexy, This better be a enormous ballistic break through with an acheivable quality that nothing before has ever approched. Upon reading the little bit of spec's in print I don't see this as being the case . Remember new cartridges have the advantage of being loaded from the factorys at max pressures due to no "old guns " being out in the world . Irealise that a select few will look at this as some thing else to tinker with , but these folks won't be the numbers required to make this a commercial success. Many good rounds have gone by the way side this way.

any thoughts

444fitch

P.S.

Ruger doesn't have too many failures in it's long history , but I feel another .256 Hawkeye is about to be commited. I hope the folks at Ruger Secured the keys to the common sense Cabinet. I hope they weren't in Bill Sr's Pocket .

444fitch

Ruger has more than a couple of ghosts...but in this case, they aren't designing a new rifle, just gearing up for a new barrel...that in itself is a risk, but near as much as designing a whole rifle (...been any Ruger .308 Semi-autos for sale...forget the model number, but it never even made it to full production).

Kind of agree with you...be very surprised if the new round catches on...but evidently they have some market research.

I dunno -

The way the .17 HMR has swept the country in popularity (I even have two of them!) it could well be Ruger is onto something.

The .17 Remington is recognized as a quick fouler and hard to clean with the itty bitty rods and brushes needed. The .204 bore MIGHT be just a large enough increase to diminish this problem.

Don't think I'll give up my .223 Ruger target rifle or the Ruger .17 HMR and rush out for this one (whenever it finally gets to market), but the concept is interesting and I'm waiting to hear the interior/exterior ballistics on the cartridge.

__________________
"Keep Off The Ridgeline!"

"Firearms only have two enemies - rust and politicans" author unknown

This looks like a factory introduction of the "20 Tactical" round but on a 222 Mag case instead of the 223. Another factory legitimized wildcat round.

Regards

I think that was the Ruger "XGI" or something like that. Very cloak and dagger and then nothing and never heard from again.

Regards