Hornady .204 takes center stage as hot new product

Shooting Industry, May, 2004 by Russ Thurman

Hornady's .204 Ruger is a hot new product that has more than "got legs"--it's in an all-out sprint as a megaseller. The new cartridge just received the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence award as the 2004 Ammunition of the Year.

Steve Hornady was all smiles when he accepted the prestigious award in Pittsburgh last month. And he should be smiling. The new round is getting rave reviews as the "ultimate varmint cartridge," and manufacturers are racing to introduce rifles in the chambering.

Ruger's Target Grey Model M77 Mark II in .204 Ruger was honored as the Rifle of the Year by the Academy of Excellence at the ceremony in Pittsburgh. The company reports there's an extremely high demand for the rifle.

Remington reports the same thing. How often do you see a Remington Rifle with "Ruger" stamped on it? Rarely? Never? This month, Remington began shipping rifles chambered in .204 Ruger that were specials at this year's SHOT Show. They are the Model 700 LV SF, Model 700 VLS and Model 700 ADL SYN.

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Don't be surprised if these models, and perhaps others, are part of Remington's 2005 catalog. In addition, it's likely Remington will add the .204 Ruger to its ammunition line.

In June, Savage will begin shipping nine of its rifles chambered in .204 Ruger. The models are the 11FNS, 11FXP3, 12FV, 12FV Single Shot, 12 Low Profile, 12 Low Profile Single Shot, 16FSS, 16FXP3 and Model 40.

According to Steve Hornady, the popularity of the .204 Ruger is "gratifying."

"It means there is room in the marketplace for new ideas," Hornady said. "We see the cartridge as a precursor for a number of new cartridges that could be developed in the .20 caliber."