.204 vs .223
- Thread starter muckwa
- Start date
Actually for a reloader 223 is a better option because of it's ability to handle heavier bullets that buck the wind better.
Thanks.. did not know that.... another reason to love my favorite shooting rifle!
I was thinking more in terms of cost... I use my .223 for plinking and range use all of the time and wouldn't want to do the same with a 22-250 based on wallet impact... but would be nice to have that extra yardage....
HighTeckRedNeck
Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
My 22-250 with 36gn VG's have been very deadly this year.
The only dedicated coyote hunters (not wanting the fur) I know use .243s. However, of the 2 you're asking about, I'd pick .223. My .204 experience is limited to the range though, so I can't really say that one is better than the other for coyote. I can only afford one centerfire (right now) for coyote and groundhogs, and I picked a .223
I've hunted with my .204, .223 and my .243
hunted with friends who use .22-250, .243
all rifles killed them dead.
If you are going for pelts the .204 is very friendly, the .243, if the shot is not placed well or if it is pushed or pulled will make a bit of a mess.
hunted with friends who use .22-250, .243
all rifles killed them dead.
If you are going for pelts the .204 is very friendly, the .243, if the shot is not placed well or if it is pushed or pulled will make a bit of a mess.
Yup, the last few posts are right. There is no single answer, a lot of calibers will do nicely. if you reload a whole lot of other doors open as well. Would be rather boring if we all used the same cartridge and rifle, be tough to start an uproar with your fellow gunnutterz
I use 32gr in the .204. A barrel with a different twist would be able to handle larger ones. I have always had bang flop with the .204 but would like the option of a heavier bullet as in the .223. The coyotes that I shoot have been shorter range shots
I have both a 223 and a 243. I found that the 223 was a little light for shots beyond 300 yards for coyotes. They are an incredibly tough animal. I found that for the longer shots, the 243 was flatter and harder hitting than my 223.
The 204 has a zippy bullet, but it is pretty light and loses energy too quickly at longer ranges. Just like the 17 HMR, does not like to be shot on windy days too much.
For coyotes I use:
223 - 50 gr moly vmax, 700 Rem. Varmint SPS with a Hogue stock - in areas less than 250 yards or so.
243 - 70 gr nosler varmint, Savage Predator Max1 - coyote goto.
The 204 has a zippy bullet, but it is pretty light and loses energy too quickly at longer ranges. Just like the 17 HMR, does not like to be shot on windy days too much.
For coyotes I use:
223 - 50 gr moly vmax, 700 Rem. Varmint SPS with a Hogue stock - in areas less than 250 yards or so.
243 - 70 gr nosler varmint, Savage Predator Max1 - coyote goto.
Very true KDK
I am sure a 204 wont shine at 1000 with 32gr bullets at 750fps at 1000y even at 500y how much more wind drift would a 32gr compared to a 223 with 80gr VLD at 10mph cross at 90deg
its over 30" more than 223
and 135 ft-lb for the 204 at 500 y
to 690 ft-lb for the 223 at 500 y
I won,t be trading for a .204
Its good that you can read bul charts ,but do you have actual experience,or just what you read?Do you read a story book about hunting,and feel you have been hunting?We can all read stories but its nice to have actual experience.Iam not sure you would shoot a coyote at 1000 yards,wind or no wind,223 204 ,300wsm or what?
Last summer I wanted to experiment this very point.
I set a target up at 450 yards in a gravel pit. I used the two rifles described above. The wind was blowing (gusting) the same as it always does on a nice summer day.
My scope was a Burris Fullfield II on the 223 and a Burris E1 on the 243.
With the 223 it was tough to get the bullet to get on paper consistently. The paper was the standard orange target on white squares (24" x 30"). Elevation was not too bad I had to hold it higher than what was recommended on the reticle, but not much, it was the windage plane which was difficult. I'd put the group at about 10" to 12" and mostly to the right (direction of the wind). To be honest, I had more than a few right of the target.
The 243 was more consistent. The grouping was about 8" and quite consistent. The scope does have a windage reticle, which helped and the bullet was flatter than the elevation lines on the reticle. The winage was pretty close too.
For me, this non-scientific outing demonstrated why my 243 is my goto varmint rifle. The 223 just lost energy and wandered in the wind way more than the 243 did. A 257 Wby would be even straighter and flatter.
I set a target up at 450 yards in a gravel pit. I used the two rifles described above. The wind was blowing (gusting) the same as it always does on a nice summer day.
My scope was a Burris Fullfield II on the 223 and a Burris E1 on the 243.
With the 223 it was tough to get the bullet to get on paper consistently. The paper was the standard orange target on white squares (24" x 30"). Elevation was not too bad I had to hold it higher than what was recommended on the reticle, but not much, it was the windage plane which was difficult. I'd put the group at about 10" to 12" and mostly to the right (direction of the wind). To be honest, I had more than a few right of the target.
The 243 was more consistent. The grouping was about 8" and quite consistent. The scope does have a windage reticle, which helped and the bullet was flatter than the elevation lines on the reticle. The winage was pretty close too.
For me, this non-scientific outing demonstrated why my 243 is my goto varmint rifle. The 223 just lost energy and wandered in the wind way more than the 243 did. A 257 Wby would be even straighter and flatter.
Please educate us with your vast experience. Maybe head over to the precision rifles forum and teach everyone there a thing or two also.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Were you useing 50gn or 75gn bullets in the 223 for that test?
