Thread: Suggestions for .204 re-barrel

Curently have a tikka t3 varmint in 204. MAE full barrel suppressor but the barrel has been shortened to maybe 19".... Not happy with the velocities im getting with 40grainers due to the short barrel. Suggestions for a future calibre? Preferably uses same bolt face but not to worried. This is purely a varmint gun and will not be used on deer sized game. (unless one pops out 10m away like the one in the photo haha). Open to wildcat ideas and will be loading ammo myself.

What powder do you use with the 40grainers & what speed do you get ?

I would recommend a 22-204 with a 1-8 barrel.
Shooting 75-80 Amax or 53 Vmax.
A bit more speed than 223AI with no fireforming & easy dies etc, you can use your 204 dies with small modifications.

using ww748 getting 3300fps with 40 grainer and 3900fps with 32 grainer and that is pushing them pretty hard im thinking as there are few pressure signs. 22-204 does sound good. what velocity can you expect from them with 53vmax?

The 53 Vmax goes at 3700ish
The 75 Amax goes at 3200ish
Both out of a standard T3 length barrel

Cheers kiwi greg. Would you rate the 22-204 over the 204 for pure varminting purposes? Or would i be better just to get a 26inch 204 barrel so i can get better velocity

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Cheers kiwi greg. Would you rate the 22-204 over the 204 for pure varminting purposes? Or would i be better just to get a 26inch 204 barrel so i can get better velocity

Jump on JBM, & run some ballistics with the 75 amax 0.43 or 53 vmax 0.290 versus the 40 vmax 0.275

The 75s have less wind drift followed by the 53s & the 40s.

which is only an issue if you plan to shoot past 300 meters

yep, i have been shooting past 300metres occasionally but the conditions need to be just right or else its a bit hit and miss, to say the least, with my 204. Im looking for the flattest shooting gun out to 300m, which has minimal recoil and uses the least possible powder haha. Will probably end up just getting another 204 barrel, sell my MAE full barrel suppressor and buy a new suppressor to fit the new barrel.

do a 20 tactical then.

I had a 204 once,i got really pissed off with how vulnerable it was to wind and the ammo cost.
my solution:

bought a 223. sure not the flatest shooter in the world but it knocks bunnies off just fine :-D

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

I had a 204 once,i got really pissed off with how vulnerable it was to wind and the ammo cost.

I did the same except it was a 17HMR that annoyed me & I replaced with a 204 shooting 40s

3400 out of a 204 with 40g is pathetic. Dump the 748 and try some BM2 with a short barrel like that. I had a 26" Cooper in 204 doing 3950 with 2206H, and when I cut it back to 21" same load went 3600. Changing to BM2 got it back up to 3800

Originally Posted by NZVarminter

3400 out of a 204 with 40g is pathetic. Dump the 748 and try some BM2 with a short barrel like that. I had a 26" Cooper in 204 doing 3950 with 2206H, and when I cut it back to 21" same load went 3600. Changing to BM2 got it back up to 3800

Im well aware of how pathetic it is haha. I will be trying new powder next, i have just over 1lb of 748 to chew through, which equates to about 3 days of shooting if i get stuck in. Then i will try BM2. I wish they sold powder sampler packs. Also i have a 243 as well, i would love a powder i could use in both effectively

Originally Posted by crzyman

do a 20 tactical then.

^ this...

I had 2 different 204's then built a 20 Tactical. Better velocity than the 204, with less powder. Lapua brass as well. Mine has a 24" barrel & I'm getting over 3,900fps with 40gr vmax.

Other option I would consider is opening the boltface and going to a 6-6.5*47L and shoot 87gr vmax & 105gr amax loads. I have had a 243ai and 6.5*47L for LR varminting, Tussock is right, the heavier pills certainly make 300m+ varminting much less hit & miss.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

+1 NZVarminter & The Claw

20 Tactical or Practical. Nothing wrong with sub calibre varminters - minimal recoil and ideal for around 300m shots.