AusVarmint

Hi guys, new to posting on the site.

I am after some help on purchasing my first 204, any advice or experiences would be great. Looking at spending around the $1600 mark or more if required. Have a lightforce 5-22x56 NSX which will sit on top, am looking for something which will produce tight groups. I will also be reloading for this rifle in the future.

Not looking at any particular brand but do want a quality gun. Like the tactical look of the tika T3 so something with similar looks would be great. Left hand is preferable but will be perched on top of hills so right hand is ok aswell.

Game hunted will be rabbits and foxes.

Thanks for help and advice given.

Joe.

buy the tikka

Savage LRPV without a doubt!

Joe,

Get a CZ mate. You won't be disappointed with the quality you get for the price you pay. Slightly heavier gun, which I find good for steadying those long range shots.

Just my two cents, but then again I am biased!

search the forum, done to death

Welcome to the site,

Trevort is right this has been discussed a lot, and you will get something out of a search.

However we do like spending others money so you should still get good advice.

I have a Rem700 LVSF in 204 that works ok, and is nice and light for carrying and hanging onto in the back of the ute.
I am considering building another 204, and would most likely go the semi custom route with a wild dog stock, sako action and kreiger barrel.

For factory rifles pick from the following
Savage / Stevens
Kimber
CZ
Remington
Tikka
Sako
Howa
Ruger
Weatherby
Styer
That's the list of the mainstream manufacturers. If it was me I would look for a second hand tikka T3 lite Camo.

I didnt know steyr chambered .204
last I saw they only offered their varmint in .223

Welcome to the forum .... Yes search for this but ask yourself exactly what and how you will be using your rifle. If walking a lot means lighter weight. If spotlighting weight not so important but something comfortable to shoot from a door rest of from the tray whatever you do. How many rounds will you be firing off in a short time? Not many? A light barrel will be fine as it will not heat up too much. if a lot then a heavier barrel takes longer to get hot a throw off accuracy. Never shot a .204 but from what I hear they don't kick much so a heavy rifle is not needed to deal with recoil.

Everyone has their opinions on brand... same as usual hold them and buy what feels comfortable to hold and shoot. I wnet with a Tikka T3 lite in .223 and it suits my needs well. Next rifle I want is a semi custom switch barrel setup so I can have different calibres for what I want. But I will fit my needs and most of my wants in one setup.

Thanks for the feedback guys, i have searched the site and yes there is heaps of information which i have spent hours upon hours reading to the point where the misses has cracked the sh!ts, but hey thats life.

Grumpy thanks for the list of manufacturers, quite a few on there i was not aware of.

I was after a heavy barrel as i will not be covering great distances walking and it seems it will offer a bit mor stability when on the pod.

Most important factor is accuracy so i dont mind paying extra aslong as it is consistantly accurate.

Accuracy costs $$ how much accuracy can you afford...

What I find with factory rifles is they are hit and miss, you buy one it functions ok (not great) it shoot ok (not great say MOA @100) then you need to spend a lot to get it up to scratch. You cannot take it back and get your money back if it's shooting inch groups.

Start with a custom rifle put together by one of the good gunsmiths, using their experience to help with component selection and you can be assured that it will be something special. Prices start around $5000 and waiting time varies considerably.

Alternatively, both the Tikka T3's I have shot have been very good and I have heard other positive comments generally about the accuracy of the Tikka's.

Have a look on used guns. There is a l/h savage 204 there. lt is not a heavy barrel. But you could send it to a smith and get some accuracy work done for the same money as you are looking to spend.

How do i get to the used guns section guys, intersted to see what is around.

Grumpy wont be shooting comps but need to know the bullet is going to hit the mark consistantly with in reason i guess. would love to customise a gun but like you said, $$$ and time.

Buy a rem VSSf with the HS stock. Second hand is fine. As $$ permit, add a rifle basix trigger or a jewell if your rich. then get Shane Clancy to bed your action and fit a 26 inch no 7 profile custon barrel and true the action. I went kreiger as i wanted a 1 in 10 twist to shoot the much cheaper 40VM accurately, like they are nearly half the price of the superb 39bk!. Put you order in for the work soon after you buy the rifle, 6 to 12 months is his wait time so you can save up for the rest of the work. When its finished you will not care if your mrs cracks the shits as you will love your new toy more than her anyway

trevort wrote:When its finished you will not care if your mrs cracks the shits as you will love your new toy more than her anyway

Uh-Oh don't tell KerriT

wifecallsmegrumpy wrote:

trevort wrote:When its finished you will not care if your mrs cracks the shits as you will love your new toy more than her anyway

Uh-Oh don't tell KerriT

no no, that was the old one, the toys came before Kerriet, anyway, theres no contest!!!