Varmint, .17, .204, and other odd caliber, non-scary rifles?

[Just_some_guy]

I'm going to add some long guns this year and have been looking at some of the varmint calibers, like 17HMR and .204 Ruger. I see plenty of 17 HMR all over the place on the shelves. One of the things I've been considering is ammo availability. Never thought I'd have a hard time finding 9mm Luger or 5.56 ammo, but here we are.

Don't see a lot of 204 on the shelves, but it is around.

Spotted a nice CZ 527 American in .204, and another with combo barrels, .22LR and .17HMR, though it is a non-heavy .17. Also looked at a Ruger 17HMR, looked nice but was pretty pricy. Also a Savage in 17HMR that was very reasonably priced and had the accutrigger.

Thoughts on slightly oddball rifle calibers, that aren't in crazy demand, but not weird enough to be hard to find or crazy expensive?

.17 HMR
.22-250
.204

What about the game-usable smaller calibers, like .270 and .243?

Any others to look for?

[damon1272]

I would go with the 17 and 22-250 over the 204. They are more established and easier to find.
As for a hunting round you could go with either one as you are not going to use them in the same amount as a 17 or 22-250

[50BMGBOB]

Pick what you like and stock pile ammo or reloading components. You don't need to stock pile million's of rounds. Figure out what you use in a year. I try to keep enough for 1-2 years on the self. When I get down to just one years worth left, then I order more. Most rushes last less than a year. If it last more than that then it is the new normal and you have to stock up anyways. I never understood why people would keep just keep a box or two on hand. After a earthquake, storm, riot, zombie attack, what ever do you really think the stores will be open? It does take a while to build up that much, it isn't cheap and it takes room. But forwhat would you give to have it right now you could have bought two boxes last year and left one on the self. That is actually a good way to build up to it, only shoot half the ammo you buy until you have your reserve. If you buy a box to go to the range, buy one for your reserve. Watch for sales and buy by the case. Last time I bought 22LR, I got a case of 5K for $159, I bought 5 cases, more than 2 years worth but worth it (I shoot about 5-10K a year).

[50BMGBOB]

I should have added that my ammo shelf makes most gun shops look under stocked even before the rush.

[Wrangler John]

The .204 Ruger is the far better varmint cartridge for all-around use. Ammo is in short supply just now because all ammo is in short supply, especially because the .204 case is dimensionally similar to the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington round, and there is only so much manufacturing capacity.

I have two, soon to be three, .204 Rugers. Two are custom builds on Savage Precision Target Actions and the new one will be a Colt M-4 carbine converted to .204 Ruger using a side cocking upper with a custom made Hart barrel. Both Savages will shoot .2" to .3" 10 shot groups at 100 yards, and seldom miss a ground squirrel out to 200 yards. They are fun to shoot, with barely any recoil, decimate squirrels and are cheap to load.

My .17 HMR is a Savage 93R19 BVT. It is MOA accurate at 100 yards, but the .17 HMR cartridge is limited in range and many times requires follow-up shots on squirrels. Like all rimfires, it is sensitive to ammunition choice, with limited lead free choices for California's lead free zone. The little .17 caliber bullets are much more prone to wind deflection, much more so than the .204 Ruger.

I have two .22-250's with three barrels in the inventory currently. Both Remington's, one a custom built Model 700 with swap barrels chambered for the .22-250 Remington, and another chambered for the .22-250 Ackley Improved. The second rifle is a Remington 40x chambered for the .22-250 Remington. Both will deliver .5" groups or better. Two are designed with 1:9" twist barrels for the Barnes 50 grain Varmint Grenade bullet. These are fine varmint rifles, with the down side being they are a bit more expensive to shoot and recoil prevents direct observation of hits through a scope - something the .204 Ruger allows. Hits at long range 200+ yards is more consistent, but no where as consistent as a 6mm such as the .243 WSSM.

You didn't mention the .223 Remington, the other premier varmint cartridge. I have three of these, two on Savage Precision Target Actions. Both are capable of shooting .25" groups, with one having a polygonal rifled barrel turning in a .206" ten shot group @ 100 yards. One of these rifles is always along on any varmint hunting trip, loaded with Barnes 50 grain Varmint Grenade bullets. They are accompaniment to the .204 Ruger for changing conditions.

There is another consideration. The .20 Practical wildcat cartridge. This is the .223 Remington necked down to .204 caliber with no other change. All that is needed is to run a .223 case through the Redding size die with a .204 bushing and load. It works well in the AR-15 magazine and matches the .204 Ruger in velocity. Best thing is that a supply of .223 Remington brass can be purchased and works for either rifle. Down side is that a barrel job will be needed. Info here: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

[Cujo]

The .204 Ruger is the far better varmint cartridge for all-around use. Ammo is in short supply just now because all ammo is in short supply, especially because the .204 case is dimensionally similar to the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington round, and there is only so much manufacturing capacity.

They are fun to shoot, with barely any recoil, decimate squirrels and are cheap to load.

My .17 HMR is a Savage 93R19 BVT. It is MOA accurate at 100 yards, but the .17 HMR cartridge is limited in range and many times requires follow-up shots on squirrels. Like all rimfires, it is sensitive to ammunition choice, with limited lead free choices for California's lead free zone. The little .17 caliber bullets are much more prone to wind deflection, much more so than the .204 Ruger.

There is another consideration. The .20 Practical wildcat cartridge. This is the .223 Remington necked down to .204 caliber with no other change. All that is needed is to run a .223 case through the Redding size die with a .204 bushing and load. It works well in the AR-15 magazine and matches the .204 Ruger in velocity. Best thing is that a supply of .223 Remington brass can be purchased and works for either rifle. Down side is that a barrel job will be needed. Info here: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

Well said. .204 Ruger is my favorite cartridge and is my go to caliber for squirrel duty. It's trajectory is like a laser beam to 300 yards. When we go chasing squirrels, the shots are often more than 200 yards. Reloading for the .204 is a must.

The 17 HMR just doesn't have the legs to stretch it out that far consistently and if you think about it, the ammo is pretty expensive for what it is.

[Just_some_guy]

What about 17 Hornet?

[Wrangler John]

What about 17 Hornet?

Too new to know much about it, we need a bit of time for the market to make a judgement. I found that Pacific Tool & Gauge makes Hornet size bolt heads for the Savage Model 10 actions. Those will fit the Precision Target Action, and Savage is producing its Model 25 rifles chambered for the .17 Hornet. The .17 Hornet may be okay, but it won't do anything the .17 Remington Fireball won't do as well or better.Hornet ammo will be a little cheaper than the .17 Fireball. Because Hornady is behind the cartridge it will probably be a good balanced design, I haven't seen Hornady offer anything but accurate designs, but time will tell if it becomes popular. I have been too busy with the .204 Ruger M-4 project to consider experimenting with a .17 Hornet.

The standard .22 Hornet is a finicky little cartridge in some rifles to get to shoot well. I don't know how it will perform in the .17 Hornet configuration. It does appear to ideal for use in the Thompson Center Encore or G2 Contender, if TC offers barrels for it. I would go with the .204 Ruger or .223 Remington as a first varmint rifle, especially if it may be the only bolt rifle in your collection for awhile. Do a Google search for reviews before committing a wad of cash.

[russt]

I got a savage model 12 26" heavy barrel 204 ruger and it is a tack driver. Coolest part is watching those vmax do what they do best through the scope since there is no recoil!

[Beelzy]

Better hurry, 17cal ammo is evaporating as I type.