Since i`m on the subject of the 204 ruger , i got to ask , which one do you think makes a better varmint round ? The 17 rem or the 204. I`ve had a 17 rem now for many years and have shot many chucks with it. But the high speed and the flat trajectory of the 204 , gets my attention. My 17 rem with a 20 gr v max is right around 4300 fps. Factory 204`s are close. My 17 isn`t very good in wind though. What do you think?

I'll give ya my two cents.

I don't own either but the 204 makes a lot of sense to me.

From what I've read the .204 Ruger makes more sense to me too. They claim less pressure and less barrel wear to achieve the velocities listed; sounds great if it's true. Plus, I believe you can load up to a 40grain bullet in the .204, which is where my .223 starts at.

I mostly coyote hunt now, but when I started out it was 90% ground squirrel hunting. I started our with a 222 for several years, then bought a 223 Sako.

As I moved more and more into coyote hunting I went to a 22-250 which worked really well. For a while I was selling the pelts and the 22-250 really made hash of them.

My friend whom hunts with me bought a 17 Remington and it worked great out to 200 to 250 yards on the coyotes, it was devestating on the little ground diggers. Only problem was sometimes he experienced run-a-ways on what looked like good shots past about 225 yards on the yotes.

I went back to the 223 instead of buying a 17. Now most of my varmit work is yotes and I havn't harvested a hide for quite a few years because of the prices, not worth skinning them. I guess as a coyote eats things it's nice to see things eating them for a change.

I now shoot a 243 for the yotes and squirrels cause I came by a beautiful Ruger #1 last year and just like shooting it.

My hunting buddy just bought one of those CZ 527 varmiters in 204 Ruger. So far he has only killed three coyotes with it. Two at under 150 yards (they were polaxed) and one at about 375. The one at 375 did two roundy rounds and dropped dead. I know that those three coyotes does not represent a really good trial, but I am impressed enough that I'm gonna get one this spring.

He says his 204 isn't really that great when the wind is blowing, but it's better than the 17's. Most of my squirrel shooting is in reality under 250 yards and frankly I don't shoot anymore if it's really windy. I like the fact that the 204 gives you 22-250 trejectory using less powder and pressure. I doubt that I will switch from the 243 for the yotes, but after years on not buying a sub 22 cal rifle I think I will try this one. For more info on the 204 try www.204ruger.com (http://www.204ruger.com)

Good Layne Simpson article in the latest Shooting Times comparing the .17, .204, and .223.

I have a 17 Rem and shoot the 25 Gr Hornady hollowpoints in it with handloads at just over 4100 fps. I like it, and it is a real tackdriver. I use it mostly on rockchucks and coyotes. However, it just doesn't launch rockchucks like my 25-06 with 75 gr Hornady hollowpoints at 3500 fps! For that reason, I might lean towards the 204, but I'm only speculating as I've never shot one.

Funny story behind the 17. I bought it used, put a scope on it and got it all aimed in. I shot several coyotes with it that winter and they all died somewhat oddly. After papering it some more, it was tumbling bullets. I did the super clean on it, but it didn't help...the barrel was shot out (don't anyone shed a tear for me, it was at a decent price). So, I had it rebarreled and boy it sure shoots now!