.204 Ruger Review: All of the Pros and Cons of the .204

Call me crazy, but I love using new and unique cartridges, especially when it comes to hunting. This is exactly what lead me to the .204 Ruger. This cartridge is relatively new, introduced in 2004 by two major players: Hornady and Ruger. You know if those two collaborate on something, the result is going to be epic. And epic it is.

The .204 Ruger was designed to be a fast and flat-shooting cartridge made specifically for varmint hunting and target shooting. If you're interested in the .204, that's probably you're intended use for it too. So let's break down if this is the perfect varmint round or not, and whether or not you need one in your collection!

Pros:

1. High Velocity: The .204 Ruger was made to be fast, and fast it is. In fact, it is one of the fastest commercially available cartridges out there. With a muzzle velocity of around 4,000 feet per second, this thing is insanely fast. This high velocity also means a very flat trajectory, making it easier to hit those pesky coyotes at long ranges.

2. Low Recoil: Despite its high velocity, the .204 Ruger really doesn't kick at all. This not only makes it easier to shoot accurately but allows for faster follow-up shots (which we all know we need when predator calling). The low recoil also makes it an ideal cartridge for smaller and lighter weight rifles, perfect for carrying around long distances or for women and kids to shoot. 

3. Very Accurate: Now this one is definitely a gimme, given that the .204 has some crazy fast speeds. But it should go without saying that it's super accurate because of how flat it shoots. Throw in the low recoil and the quality of the rifles being made and you have yourself a very precise cartridge capable of some amazing feats. 

4. Super Efficient: One thing that I think often goes overlooked in rifle cartridges is efficiency. Although the .204 Ruger is small, it is an extremely efficient cartridge in terms of powder usage. It uses way less powder than many other cartridges of similar size and performance, perfect if you love to reload for your rifles. 

Cons:

1. Limited Availability: Now onto some of the downsides of this round. And first on our list is its availability. The .204 Ruger is not as popular as other cartridges, so finding rifles and ammo is going to be a little more difficult. This might also mean they're going to be a little more expensive when you do find them!

2. Limited Applications: While I truly believe that the .204 Ruger is the PERFECT coyote cartridge, there's not a whole lot else that it can do. I mean it was primarily designed for varmint hunting and target shooting, so it's hard to complain. But It is not suitable for larger game animals or self-defense situations so keep that in mind. 

3. High Barrel Wear : Everyone knows that with higher speeds, comes higher barrel wear. Considering the .204 Ruger is one of the fastest out there, I'm actually surprised the barrels don't wear out quicker. Still, you'll go through more barrels with this thing if you're a high-volume shooter than with other calibers. 

4. Wind Sensitivity: The .204 isn't the biggest, and the bullets you're shooting definitely aren't big at all. Because of that, it can be more sensitive to wind (especially at longer distances). Every cartridge will have some kind of sensitivity to wind, this one just seems to have a tad more. 

But, despite a few downsides, the .204 Ruger still remains one of the greatest varmint cartridges every made. Well, according to many of us anyways. So if you're looking for a new coyote caliber or simply want a long-range shooting rig with almost zero recoil, the .204 might be just the ticket! 

And if you do decide to get yourself a new .204, don't forget to order a rifle sling customized for your .204 Ruger rifle. We make some of the best!