wonsky,

I would have to vote for the .223 I have both and perfer the .223, because as you stated its cheaper to shoot.

204 seems to be grabbing attention away from the 22-250. 204 fast and flat and has minimal pelt damage on predators.

That said I like the 223.

I drive out to Wyoming every year with my dad and uncle and we shoot dogs for about 7 days straight. We got 223's 22-250's and a couple 204's. I like the 204 the most, I got a ruger #1 and it's a tack driver ! We were sceptical at first of what the wind might do to the 204 but it holds up fine on the prarie. After I bought mine my dad and uncle liked it so much they had to get their own lol. If your looking for a great dog cartridge look hard at the 204. It's nice for reloads because it wont use the ammount of powder to 22-250 uses and it shoots flatter. The 223 is nice because if you don't reload you can buy the ammo so cheap. I got a nice 243 also but after you shoot it +100 times a day you start to feel it a little, plus it cost more to reload than the others. The other thing thats sweet about the 204 is that it has no recoil so you can see those little rats explode in the scope !

I've had both and prefer the 223.

If your looking for fast. Try a 243 with 55gr. 3900 fps.

I would give my vote to the .223 based on economics, but I haven't shot it past 300yds. It doesn't heat the barrel up as fast and some claim it provides longer barrel life.

However, for longer range varmiting, the .22-250 obviously has an advantage and is a great cartridge. It definitely has more punch for coyotes at longer ranges.

My buddy swears by the .22-250. I prefere the .220 Swift myself.

I've worked with the 22-250 some and just didn't care for it. I've had several 223's and do like them but my favorite was the 222. Even in a light rifle you shoot and the scope stays on the target. You see every hit. I have never shot a 204. The most economical for me, of the 22-250, 223 and 222 would be the 222, but thats spliting hairs.

I have never shot a 22-250 because I have a 220 swift and it is more accurate than I could ever be.

After contemplating it for a couple years I decided to add a varmint gun to the weaponry. I bought a Rem. 799 in 223 added a Cabelas Pine Ridge scope 6x18x44 and a Harris bipod. Nothing real fancy, but something to go play with coyotes with.

There's a shooter at my range who regularly wins or places high in 600 and 1000 yd. comps with an R-15 in .223. It can get out there!

Chris