.204 Ruger Load Data

The .204 Ruger is a relatively recent addition to the world of rifle cartridges, having made its debut in 2004 as a collaborative effort between Hornady and Ruger. Designed primarily for varmint hunting, it quickly gained a reputation for blistering speed and excellent accuracy. The cartridge is based on the .222 Remington Magnum case, which has been necked down to accept a .204-inch diameter bullet. This engineering allows for high velocity and a very flat trajectory, distinguishing the .204 Ruger from its peers in the .22-caliber and sub-.22-caliber categories. Given its performance characteristics, it didn't take long for reloaders and precision shooters to recognize the .204 Ruger's potential for both recreational and competitive applications.

From an application perspective, the .204 Ruger is prized for its versatility and high performance in the field. Its primary use is varmint and small predator hunting, where speed, accuracy, and a flat trajectory are critical. The minimal recoil makes it an attractive option for rapid, precise follow-up shots, which is particularly advantageous when targeting fast-moving or multiple animals. The .204 Ruger has also found a niche among competitive benchrest shooters who appreciate its accuracy potential and efficiency. While not designed for large game, its attributes make it a favorite for applications where small target size and shot placement precision are essential, such as prairie dog, ground squirrel, and coyote hunting.

When it comes to target species, the .204 Ruger truly excels at dispatching varmints and small-to-medium predators. Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, marmots, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes are commonly hunted with this caliber. The flat trajectory and explosive bullet performance at high velocity ensure clean, humane kills at extended ranges, a vital consideration for ethical hunters and pest controllers alike. The combination of speed and energy delivery makes the cartridge especially effective for controlling populations of destructive small game, providing reloaders with a tool that maximizes both efficiency and effectiveness in the field.

Bullet weights for the .204 Ruger generally range from 24 to 40 grains, with the most popular choices for reloaders falling in the 32 to 39 grain range. These lighter weight bullets contribute to the cartridge's outstanding muzzle velocity—typically between 3,900 and 4,200 feet per second depending on specific load and barrel length. The .204 Ruger is also known for producing relatively little recoil, which not only enhances shooter comfort but also tends to reduce shooter-induced aiming errors. Rifles chambered for .204 Ruger usually sport fast twist rates (commonly 1:12 or 1:10), stabilizing these lighter, high-speed projectiles efficiently. The cartridge's rimless, bottlenecked case promotes reliable feeding and extraction, making it suitable for both bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms. These characteristics appeal to reloaders who seek high-velocity performance and long-range accuracy without the downsides of excessive barrel wear or heavy recoil.