Another New Cartridge from Ruger
Thursday January 8, 2004
Well, apparently Ruger and Hornady have not been resting on their laurels since last year's introduction of the 480 Ruger cartridge. This time they've turned their attention in the opposite direction - instead of a large, hard-hitting, heavy-bullet-slinging revolver round, they have come up with a small, light, super-fast varmint cartridge.
The new 204 Ruger has an advertised muzzle velocity of 4,225 feet per second! That's a screamer, folks. It uses a tiny 20-caliber bullet weighing in at only 32 grains - that's 4 grains less than your average 22 rimfire slug.
Five new rifles will be released in 2004 to accompany this new fast-mover. For more info, please read the following news release.
--Begin News Release--
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.
--End News Release--
The new 204 Ruger has an advertised muzzle velocity of 4,225 feet per second! That's a screamer, folks. It uses a tiny 20-caliber bullet weighing in at only 32 grains - that's 4 grains less than your average 22 rimfire slug.
Five new rifles will be released in 2004 to accompany this new fast-mover. For more info, please read the following news release.
--Begin News Release--
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.
--End News Release--
Comments
How can the statement that barrel life is not compromised with such a high velocity of the bullet? Does not the gas still try to get around the bullet as it does with the 22-250 or the Swift? If you are using the stainless barrel versus a chromoly material for compersion you should state that. If the article is true, than why is the reason for less barrel ware.
Not all fast cartridges eat barrels. And the author tells you why he/she thinks it’s true:
“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.”
Their reason seems to be, less powder – and powder of a different type.
Russ