Thinking of picking up a varminter. Will use for occasional groundhog and some winter coyote. Would like to keep the noise down as much as possible andwas wondering how effective a .204 would be on winter yotes vs. a .223 ? I do reload but the easily available and cheap ammo in the .223 does make a difference. Any .204 users who can talk me into one?
.204 or .223?
- Thread starter linderhof
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I do brass collection for a large club and have yet to see any 204 in the collection. That said the 223 outnumbers everything else by orders of 10. Tell ya something? I can shoot up to maybe a 62gr bullet down to maybe 40 in my 223 although Im lazy and only load 55gr. Aside from my BSA Martini competition 22 my fave rifle is my CZ527 Minimauser 223. Very nice lines and shoots like a hot damn. I could have a 204 and may(who knows?) find a reason to have a 204 but some are already thinking its another redundant cartridge. I dont have one but read a lot of these forums. Besides I have a steady source of 223 brass any time I want more. The 223 was a round that Jumped me at a gunshow and I just had to have one. Centrefire 22-never dreamed of that when I was a kid.
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If you are just plinking, and want occasional target duty get a .223. lots of surplus ammunition out there, and then of course you can work up your own precision reloads for varminting work in the 350 yard range.
That said, 204 has better ballistics, more speed per given projectile weight compared to the .223 you definately get to do reloading for this round as there is no .204 surplus.
There is only one solution. Buy both!
If you don't plan on using the hides from the coyotes you shoot it really won't matter which cartridge you chose. I use my 204s for coyotes and use my 222 and 223s for plinking and shooting gophers. I have a new Sako Varmint on order right now and it is chambered for 204.
I was in your shoes about two years ago. Actually, had lots of advice for the 22-250, 204 and 223. Yes the 204 and 22-250 have quicker velocities, but what tipped the scales for me was the plentiful availability of brass and actually quite a lot of published data for arguing that the 223 is a superior varminter because of the variety of bullet weights it likes.
I went with a 223 and never looked back. I load my own and have developed some really sweet recipes fro the 40 and 50 gr v-maxes.
I bought a Remy Varminter, and replaced the tupperware stock. I'm off to shoot more of those furry little "targets" today.
I went with a 223 and never looked back. I load my own and have developed some really sweet recipes fro the 40 and 50 gr v-maxes.
I bought a Remy Varminter, and replaced the tupperware stock. I'm off to shoot more of those furry little "targets" today.
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Ditto ' You get to watch the show' through your scope. That's what turned the trick for me.
Well I'm leaning towards a .223. Big part of that is I want a sporter weight rifle and not knowing how much I will shoot it also not spending a pile of money on it. Not many options for the .204 and what is outthere are mostly heavy barrelled variants. I'm thinking a Stevens 200 and top it off with a good 4x12 scope. If the trigger sucks I can always replace it with a Timney or something similar.
"...thinking a Stevens 200..." Doesn't come in .204. Triggers are not adjustable either. A Timney for a 200 runs $104.95US. Epp's is a Timney and Stevens dealer. No .223 200's listed on their site, but it'd be worth a phone call or road trip. $348.30.
The Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter, for one, has a sporter weight barrel and comes in .204 or .223. Epp's is listing 2 of 'em with a medium weight barrel and a detachable mag, in either cartridge, at $729.30.
Neither one of 'em will be exactly quiet though. Up Bradford way, you may have to consider municipal by-laws too. Only South of you most likely.
The Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter, for one, has a sporter weight barrel and comes in .204 or .223. Epp's is listing 2 of 'em with a medium weight barrel and a detachable mag, in either cartridge, at $729.30.
Neither one of 'em will be exactly quiet though. Up Bradford way, you may have to consider municipal by-laws too. Only South of you most likely.
Cranky Pants
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I was going through what you are back around December. I had a serious itch for an accurate varmiter in .204 Then the Savage model 10 xp in .223 went on sale from Cabelas canada for $100 less than the other calibers, including .204.
Still I hesitated, until all the other calibers became sold out so I grabbed one in .223 while I could. Very happy with it, a real tack driver, literally, I hit a thumbtack the other day at 100 yds!
Cheap ammo is plentiful and available in all stores whereas .204 is still a search here.
The 10 XP is not light though, mine is 10 lbs + with the scope. Cabelas did have a smoking deal recently for a TC venture package + foxpro caller for less than my Savage and it is a thin, fluted barrel.
Still I hesitated, until all the other calibers became sold out so I grabbed one in .223 while I could. Very happy with it, a real tack driver, literally, I hit a thumbtack the other day at 100 yds!
Cheap ammo is plentiful and available in all stores whereas .204 is still a search here.
The 10 XP is not light though, mine is 10 lbs + with the scope. Cabelas did have a smoking deal recently for a TC venture package + foxpro caller for less than my Savage and it is a thin, fluted barrel.
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You can't put a price on the entertainment value
'Gutless in Canada... brought to you by the .204 Ruger'
Guts blown out... fur shredded, about the only thing still attached to the spine is the meat. And I think some of that came off too!
