BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[redneckhunter]

Hey guys, I am looking at maybe getting a varmint rifle to shoot some coyotes around my neighbors cow/goat farm. I have narrowed it down to either getting a .204 or a .223, my local walmart has both calibers in H&R single shots for about 260 dollars. Ammo is also about the same cost . Which of the 2 have more killing power? What is the max range of a .204 and a .223, So which one would you get?

[numbnutz]

I'd take the .223, great varmit gun with good knock down power. i know people who have killed deer with single shot with them

[h_talbot]

The .204 generally shoots lighter bullets so the knockdown power isn't as good. The 204 is a smoking cartridge, but the capabilities of such a small bullet is limited. The wind will kill you. A .223 is better in the wind and a little more powerful, although not quite as fast. I think the strength of the .204 is in the 40 grain bullet. Compared to a .223 with that tip the 204 is much better. Heavy enough to do some damage and still shoot at 3800 fps +. Any ways Bla bla bla.
Hank

[Widux]

Like the 17-I think the 204 is a nice fad cal--buddy had one on P Dog hunt last week in SD and it was OK when there was NO WIND--thern he went back to his 223, 22-250's--we had a ball and were much better able to reach out with heavier bullets/loads.

[bitmasher]

Premium 204 and premium 223 may be similar in cost, but there are no bulk loads for 204 that I'm aware of. 223 has a variety of reloads and bulk loads which makes it considerably cheaper than 204.

If you plan to do a lot of shooting 223 is more cost effective.

[GUTPYLZ]

I own the .204 and it is a wicked rifle. I love it and it's very accurate. I agree with what was said about the ammo not coming in bulk, so the .223 would be cheaper. The .204 just blows the crap out of everything. I have to sew my Coyotes back up, because they make such a big hole. I don't know how far you want to shoot out, but the .204 is great out to 400 yards. My personal goal for hunting with rifle is at that range. Makes me feel more like a hunter. I bought the Savage AccuTrigger Heavy barrel. Best price I found was at BassPro. I look all over the internet and BassPro seems to be the best price anywhere.

[M.Bird]

204 are fast, 223 are proven over the years. Nothing against the 204 it will find its place in calm wind and short shots. For open country or where there is wind you have to look at .224 dia. (22 Center fires) or even the 6mm.
Best of luck
If you want something that has the accuracy and fast look at a Remington 222 Mag. Improved. Fast as the 22-250 55gr bullet and a shorter case

[jfrench]

No experience with the .204, but the .223 is a nice round. Personally, I'd go with the .223.

[Yote Hunter]

I shoot a lot of coyotes every year and my choice is a Remington 22-250. Extremely accurate, lots of speed and has great stopping power. I shoot a 52 grain Berger bullet and it puts them down hard. Have had a couple down at 500yds and they didn't twitch.

[GetemDuck]

where do you life, is wind even an issue? How far do you plan on shooting? Do you plan on selling the hides. If you don't want to answer those then go get you a 22-250 and have fun but you asked about 204 and 223. In the wind the 223, under 300 yards, the 223, past 300 yards the 204 calm weather the 204.

but like i said to save you the hassle go get a 22-250, holds its own in the wind, shots further then most people can and does minimal damage (depending on bullet type.

on a side note cleaning a 204 is a nightmare, many cleaning rods fall to their death trying to scrub the inside of a 204 barrel/

good luck and happy hunting

[Jonathan]

To all of those who think the .204 is not a round to be shooting in the wind, you should check the ballistic coefficient of the 39 gr. bullet and compare it to the 53 gr. .223
Believe it or not, they shoot better as they have a lower ballistic coefficient and are able to shuck the wind better.
I shoot both rounds and I don't worry about the wind with either round. It is all part of hunting. The wind will blow your 120 gr. .30 cal bullet further off than either the .204 or the .223 It is all about knowing your rifle and ammo.
There is a big HOWEVER attached to all of this. The differences in the ballistic coefficients are negligable and more often than not, less than the average shooter's ability and equipment anyways. Now before I get flamed for calling you all bad shots understand that most of us don't go in the field with a custom 1/4" grouping rifle and many factory arms are right around MOA accuracy from the box. Yes there are exceptions. The average shooter, under ideal conditions can often capitalize on this. Shooting in the field is a much different affair. We all know it but don't always admit it.
Kudos to all of you who are better shots and have to time and ammo to get sharp.
Jonathan

[jeep4x4greg]

Jonathan wrote: To all of those who think the .204 is not a round to be shooting in the wind, you should check the ballistic coefficient of the 39 gr. bullet and compare it to the 53 gr. .223
Believe it or not, they shoot better as they have a lower ballistic coefficient and are able to shuck the wind better.
I shoot both rounds and I don't worry about the wind with either round. It is all part of hunting. The wind will blow your 120 gr. .30 cal bullet further off than either the .204 or the .223 It is all about knowing your rifle and ammo.
........

actually...you want a HIGHER ballistic Coefficient in high winds.

A bullet with a high BC will go longer, faster, better than one with a low BC since it will retain its velocity better. and it will do better with the wind....BUT ITS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR...a higher BC does not mean better wind res ALL THE TIME.

204 vs 223 from a BC point of view will depend on how its loaded and with what. 223 gives more flexibility in my opinion, so thats what I would go with. I don't imagine you'd see a huge difference between the two performance wise...so I'd go with something practical.


the highest BC i can find for a .204 is about .295 (50gr hpbt)
the highest BC for 223 i can find is .511 (90gr HPBT)....not commonly factory loaded...but if you do your own it's feasible. these are what some of the guys i know use for shooting in NRA High Power matches with AR15s. they have to loaded singly into the rifle because they don't fit the mag! I stick to 77 and under on my match gun since they fit normally.

I've have seen factory loads up to 77gr for .223 which gives a BC of about .372

.223 can be loaded from approx 40gr to 90gr.
.204 can be loaded from approx 30gr to 50gr





honestly though....while i favor the flexibility of the .223 over the .204.....you'll do just fine with either....so don't dwell on it too much :)

[wonksy]

Another vote for the 22-250.....the 223 doesn't hold a candle to it ballistically! If your a fur hunter thats worried about damage well then maybe get a 223, but if your just helping the deer population like i am then the 250 is the only answer....DROPS EM HARD!! :thumbsup1: