jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,730
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Post by jeffh on Dec 10, 2022 11:01:20 GMT -5
NICE! Well, except for the stock. I've never understood the high demand for big, heavy stocks and scopes for such a dainty action, but try to buy a sporter-style stock for one of these. B&C made one for the Zastava 85 (so-called "Mini-Mauser), but never made one for these.
My 223 Varmint came with a laminated wood stock, which was clubby and heavy and SLIPPERY. I traded the stock, straight up for the walnut version, which was basically the American with a wider/deeper barrel channel.
The "Varmint barrel on these isn't much bigger per outside dimensions than many "sporter-weight rifles, and the overall weight isn't much more either, but the barrel is STIFF and the weight distribution makes them easier to shoot well. This also puts the balance-point forward of the protruding magazine, so that's not an issue for carry either. Overall, the configuration is an amazingly effective varmint rifle to tote afield and not feel like you need wheels on it.
Are those CZ rings or the Hunker rings? I've settled on the Hunker rings for my 527s and have been very happy with them, but the DIP base, which allows Weaver rings to be used is a quality item which brings a bit of versatility too.
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Post by pacecars on Dec 10, 2022 13:28:07 GMT -5
Not sure on the rings. Got a nice looking Turkish Walnut stock for $145 from the CZ store
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,730
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Post by jeffh on Dec 11, 2022 10:50:29 GMT -5
Not sure on the rings. Got a nice looking Turkish Walnut stock for $145 from the CZ store Like this? Attachments:
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Post by pacecars on Dec 11, 2022 11:05:17 GMT -5
Yep. Hope mine looks that good. Hell of a deal for $145. It will be here before the rifle is.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,730
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Post by jeffh on Dec 11, 2022 11:16:12 GMT -5
Yep. Hope mine looks that good. Hell of a deal for $145. It will be here before the rifle is. If you choose to bed the action, let me know. I have dimensions/ACE part numbers somewhere on the aluminum ferrule for the "pillars." On my 222, I bought cap screws and reformed the sides/top of the heads and "heat-blued?" them. Nice to have a decent-looking hex action screw on them. Someone makes them, but they are a bit pricey for screws.
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Post by nirvana91 on Dec 12, 2022 20:36:31 GMT -5
Maybe im missing something but i dont understand the want in using the 204. I have zero experience with it but have lots with the 17 remington and i think thats a pretty good comparison from what ive read about the 204 in that we are talking light bullets screaming over 4 grand with a bit of penetration and a explosive end. I love my 17 but would never push it on anything larger than a coyote ive had more than a handful of times shot groundhogs and believe it or not clipped a shoulder blade or just thinking back hit their ribs on a quartering angle and had the bullet explode with hardly any penetration and every single time leaving a hole the size of a baseball and a suffering animal. Whenever i use it now if theres maybe a doubt i immediately check and thats a groundhog i couldnt imagine using it on a deer. I know you arent talking about the 17 but to me there the same and its just my 2 cents id be worried about those ribs. Either way i wish you luck
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Post by gunsbam45 on Dec 15, 2022 16:23:26 GMT -5
I won't get into the whole power of the .204 for deer argument, but I do have some experience with the round, as it's a favorite hide saving round for me. Twist rate is what has killed the .204 Ruger's popularity. I started watching factory ammo availability disappear over time, and the reason is that the 1:12 factory twist they came out with to run the new 32 grain bullet isn't sufficient for good BC bullets. They actually came up with that 32 grain bullet running a 1:12 twist so they could make the claim of having the fastest factory round on the market. The 39 Blitz King by Sierra worked in most of the 1:12 barrels, but just barely. I measured a couple I had, and the one that had a true 1:12 shot 1.75" groups with 40 vmax and the other actually had a 1:12 & 3/8 twist, and the groups were over 3". After talking with several guys over on Predator Masters, as well as some of the best rifle builders out there, the consensus is the same across the board among the guys who run and build .204 rifles. A 1:11 barrel will do just fine with the 39 and 40 grain bullets. To go with the 45 soft point, which didn't make the market long obviously, as well as the other heavier custom .204 bullets out there that have all disappeared from production because no one makes the guns to run them in, you need to go 1:10, and some guys running a 55 grain bullet have had to go to 1:9. Some will say that the 1:11 is OK for that 45 soft point, but again, right on the ragged edge and will depend on the barrel most likely.
Long story short, the .204 with the 1:12 standard barrel is right on the ragged edge of being able to sufficiently stabilize the standard 39 and 40 grain bullets, even to acceptable but not the best hunting accuracy. If that hammer bullet is even longer since it's an all copper hollow point, I can almost guarantee you it will not shoot in any 12 twist barrel, but I have zero experience with the bullet. Just be prepared to find out once you buy the rifle that you're stuck with lightweight varmint bullets unless you want to rebarrel it.
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Post by pacecars on Dec 15, 2022 19:02:44 GMT -5
Thanks. I may play with it a while and move it along or it might become a favorite. As for a new barrel, I would love to do a 1:7 twist .22-204 which is nothing more than a slightly improved .222 Rem Mag.
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Post by gunsbam45 on Dec 15, 2022 21:17:54 GMT -5
Yes, the wildcatters I've met are fond of the 22-204, as well as other rounds clear up to the .257 bullets. One guy I've gotten to visit with some has both, and the .204 case is the one to use to neck up these days. His 25-204 is his go to deer gun now. He killed a monster in Wisconsin with it. It's just a slight improvement over the .257 Kimber due to the new shoulder of the .204 case. His 22-204 is now his hide gun. He's running 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips at about 300 FPS faster than the factory 40 VMAX loads I run in my .223, and he's got it drilling holes at that speed to boot. I tried some 40 Noslers in the Nosler ammo in my .223 but it didn't like them so went back to the cheapy Fiocchi 40 VMAX loads it likes for now.
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Post by pacecars on Dec 15, 2022 21:39:16 GMT -5
Gary Reeder has a whole bunch based off the .204 case in the Raptor series
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