A look at ballistic data for the top selling 204 Ruger ammo options among American shooters and hunters.
There’s a ton to like about 204 Ruger. It delivers soft recoil coupled with a favorable ballistics, like blistering fast muzzle velocity. It’s a combo the 204 Ruger is a varmint hunter’s dream. The 204 Ruger’s remarkably flat trajectory often extends significantly farther than what a .17 caliber round can accomplish.
204 Ruger Ballistics Table
| Energy (Ft. Pounds) | Bullet Drop (Inches) | Ballistic Coefficient | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammo Name | Barrel Length | Muzzle | 100 Yards | 200 Yards | 300 Yards | 400 Yards | 500 Yards | Muzzle | 100 Yards | 200 Yards | 300 Yards | 400 Yards | 500 Yards | Muzzle | 100 Yards | 200 Yards | 300 Yards | 400 Yards | 500 Yards | G1 | G7 | Sect. Density |
| Fiocchi 40 Grain V-Max | 24 | 3700 | 3302 | 2939 | 2604 | 2293 | 2003 | 1216 | 968 | 767 | 602 | 467 | 356 | -0.4 | 0 | -1.7 | -7.4 | 0.275 | 0.137 | |||
| Hornady 40 Grain V-MAX | 26 | 3900 | 3482 | 3103 | 2755 | 2433 | 2133 | 1351 | 1077 | 855 | 674 | 526 | 404 | -1.5 | 0.7 | 0 | -4.3 | -13.2 | -28.1 | 0.275 | 0.118 | 0.137 |
| Hornady 32 Grain V-MAX | 26 | 4225 | 3645 | 3137 | 2683 | 2272 | 1899 | 1268 | 944 | 699 | 512 | 368 | 257 | -1.5 | 0.6 | 0 | -4.1 | -13.1 | -28.9 | 0.21 | 0.11 | |
| Fiocchi 32 Grain V-Max | 24 | 4125 | 3559 | 3061 | 2616 | 2212 | 1846 | 1209 | 900 | 666 | 486 | 348 | 242 | -0.5 | 0 | -1.3 | -6.3 | 0.21 | 0.11 | |||
| Federal 32-Grain Polymer Tip | 26 | 4030 | 3465 | 2968 | 2523 | 2119 | 1755 | 1154 | 853 | 626 | 452 | 319 | 219 | -1.5 | 0.7 | 0 | -4.7 | -14.9 | -33.1 | 0.206 | 0.086 | 0.11 |
The 204 Ruger was a team effort between Hornady and Ruger, and first introduced for sale in 2004. The cartridge was created by taking the case of the now defunct 222 Rem Mag, which was originally designed in 1958 as a prototype round for the AR-15, and necking it down to seat a 0.204” diameter projectile. The 204 Ruger’s creators also moved the 222 Rem Mag case’s shoulder forward and sharpened its angle to 30 degrees.
204 Bullet Weights
You’ll find 204 Ruger bullets ranging in weight from 24 to 55 grains. 32 and 40 grain weights are the most popular. The 204 Ruger can also feature Hornady’s proprietary and exceptionally potent propellant blend. It gives its 32 grain projectile a muzzle velocity 4,225 fps out of a 24” barrel. A 40 grain bullet’s muzzle velocity typically falls within the high 3,000 fps range.
Small bullet, zippy velocity — the 204 Ruger is optimal for varmint hunting where laser-flat trajectories are king and impact energy is less important. (A direct hit from a 204 Ruger is enough to send an unsuspecting ground squirrel flying in several directions at once.)
The 204 Ruger’s accuracy is brilliant: Sub-1/2 MOA groups within 100 yards are par for the course with this speed demon of a round, and its maximum point blank range extends well beyond 250 yards. The 204 Ruger retains more than half of its initial velocity at 400 yards. Plus, its energy at its effective range of 500 yards is still more than enough to virtually vaporize a rodent.
The 204 Ruger’s lightweight bullet means it still delivers a comfortable level of recoil to its shooter. A 32 grain projectile’s recoil energy comes in at about 2.5 ft lbs, putting it on par with the gentlest 223 Rem load. If you want a round that’ll let you beeline hot death toward meddlesome critters all day long, you could choose a different cartridge, but it’s hard to do much better than the 204 Ruger.
Ammo Options
Several 204 Ruger ammo options are available that feature its co-developer Hornady’s V-MAX projectile. Hornady designed that bullet specifically for varmint hunting.
Other Attributes
- Bullet drop at 500 yards is about 30”.
- The proprietary propellant composition that Hornady uses to boost their factory loads’ muzzle velocities is known as “SMP746.” It’s not available to the handloading public.
- If you plan to mount your prairie dog quarry as a trophy, possibly to give to your wife as a gift she will cherish for decades to come! The 204 Ruger will not prove useful in that endeavor. Its terminal effect really will turn a varmint into modern art!