.204 Ruger Ammo: Overview, Ballistics, Best Uses & Factory Ammo
Overview of the .204 Ruger
The .204 Ruger is a high-velocity, flat-shooting varmint cartridge introduced in 2004 by Hornady in collaboration with Ruger. Designed for long-range precision and minimal recoil, it has quickly become one of the fastest commercially available rifle cartridges. With muzzle velocities exceeding 4,200 fps, the .204 Ruger offers exceptional trajectory, energy retention, and accuracy, making it an excellent choice for varmint and predator hunting.
This cartridge is widely used for prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes, and other small game, delivering devastating terminal performance with minimal pelt damage.
Best .204 Ruger Ammo We Sell at ProArmory
At ProArmory, we offer a selection of top-quality .204 Ruger ammunition to meet your shooting needs:
History of the .204 Ruger
The .204 Ruger was developed as a superior alternative to the .22-250 Remington and .220 Swift, offering higher velocity and flatter trajectory with less recoil and barrel wear.
Key Development Goals:
- Achieve speeds over 4,200 fps, making it one of the fastest centerfire rifle cartridges available.
- Deliver flat-shooting performance with minimal wind drift, ideal for long-range varmint control.
- Reduce recoil for better shooter control, allowing for quick follow-up shots.
Since its introduction, the .204 Ruger has gained a strong following among hunters and precision shooters, becoming one of the most popular varmint cartridges in the U.S.
Best Purposes for the .204 Ruger
The .204 Ruger excels in multiple shooting applications:
- Varmint Hunting – The high velocity and explosive expansion make it ideal for prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and woodchucks.
- Predator Control – Provides clean, ethical kills on coyotes and foxes, with minimal pelt damage compared to larger calibers.
- Long-Range Target Shooting – The flat trajectory and wind-resistant bullets make it effective for precision shooting at extended distances.
- Low-Recoil Training – The mild recoil and high accuracy make it a great option for training new shooters on centerfire rifles.
Why Choose .204 Ruger?
Shooters prefer the .204 Ruger for its unique combination of speed, accuracy, and efficiency:
- Extremely High Velocity – Reaches speeds of 4,225 fps with a 32-grain bullet, making it one of the fastest factory-loaded cartridges available.
- Flat Trajectory & Minimal Wind Drift – Its high ballistic coefficient and velocity ensure less bullet drop and wind deviation over long distances.
- Low Recoil – Produces significantly less recoil than .22-250 or .223 Remington, allowing for quick follow-up shots.
- Reduced Pelt Damage – Expanding bullets like V-MAX and BlitzKing minimize exit wounds, making it a great choice for fur hunters.
- Efficient Powder Burn & Barrel Life – Offers longer barrel life than .22-250 Remington, reducing wear on precision rifles.
Ballistics of the .204 Ruger
Factory-loaded .204 Ruger ammo typically fires 32- to 45-grain bullets at speeds between 3,900 and 4,225 fps, offering exceptional accuracy and minimal drop.
.204 Ruger Ballistics Table
|
Bullet Weight
|
Muzzle Velocity (fps)
|
Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)
|
Drop @ 300 yds (inches)
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Energy @ 300 yds (ft-lbs)
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Drop @ 500 yds (inches)
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Energy @ 500 yds (ft-lbs)
|
|
32 gr V-MAX
|
4,225 fps
|
1,266 ft-lbs
|
-4.2
|
488
|
-28.5
|
282
|
|
39 gr BlitzKing
|
3,900 fps
|
1,315 ft-lbs
|
-5.1
|
524
|
-31.3
|
312
|
|
40 gr V-MAX
|
3,850 fps
|
1,315 ft-lbs
|
-5.5
|
540
|
-33.7
|
328
|
|
45 gr SP
|
3,650 fps
|
1,331 ft-lbs
|
-6.2
|
565
|
-36.9
|
350
|
Note: Ballistic performance may vary based on specific rifle barrel length and environmental conditions.
Differences Between .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, and .22-250 Remington
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Feature
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.204 Ruger
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.223 Remington
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.22-250 Remington
|
|
Bullet Diameter
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.204"
|
.224"
|
.224"
|
|
Muzzle Velocity
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3,900-4,225 fps
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2,750-3,300 fps
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3,500-4,100 fps
|
|
Energy at 300 yds
|
480-565 ft-lbs
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400-500 ft-lbs
|
550-680 ft-lbs
|
|
Recoil
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Low
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Moderate
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Higher
|
|
Best Use
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Varmint hunting, precision shooting
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Tactical, home defense, varmint
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Long-range varmint, predator hunting
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Which One Should You Choose?
- .204 Ruger – Best for ultra-fast varmint hunting with minimal recoil.
- .223 Remington – Ideal for general use, self-defense, and moderate-range shooting.
- .22-250 Remington – Great for long-range varmint hunting with more energy on target.
Best Factory Ammo for .204 Ruger
Hornady Superformance Varmint .204 Ruger 32gr V-MAX
- Best Use: Long-range varmint and predator hunting
- Why Choose This Ammo?: Offers explosive terminal performance with minimal pelt damage, making it an ideal choice for coyote and prairie dog hunting.
Federal Premium Varmint & Predator .204 Ruger 39gr Sierra BlitzKing
- Best Use: Precision target shooting and hunting
- Why Choose This Ammo?: The high-BC 39gr BlitzKing bullet provides excellent accuracy and energy retention at longer ranges.
Hornady Varmint Express .204 Ruger 40gr V-MAX
- Best Use: Coyote hunting and small-game control
- Why Choose This Ammo?: With higher sectional density, the 40gr V-MAX penetrates deeper while still expanding rapidly.
Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint .204 Ruger 32gr
- Best Use: High-speed varmint hunting
- Why Choose This Ammo?: The Nosler Ballistic Tip delivers consistent expansion and exceptional accuracy, making it one of the most reliable options for small-game hunters.
Final Thoughts on .204 Ruger
The .204 Ruger is a top-tier varmint hunting cartridge, offering extreme speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Whether you’re hunting coyotes, prairie dogs, or engaging in long-range target shooting, .204 Ruger ammo delivers exceptional performance with low recoil and high terminal velocity.
