.223 v 22-250 v .204ruger

[notyalc]

I want to get a rifle thats pretty much just going to be used for gophers and paper but im stuck between a .223 and a 22-250. I like the .223 cause ammo is cheaper and its a bit quieter but would a .223 blow a gopher in half like a 22-250? Is there a big diffrence in recoil between them? And whats the deal with the .204? Does it have the same recoil as the 22-250? Will it do more damage then the .223?

 

[Obtunded]

If you get a slow twist 223 (1:12 twist) you will have no issues with getting bullets well above 3000 fps. It restricts you to light bullets, but they work better on gophers anyway.

You will also enjoy about 500% greater barrel life with a 223 versus a 22-250

 

[Hungry]

I've shot both calibers and I bought both of them. But that works for me. Might not work for your needs.

I've hunted groundhogs (10 plus lbs) with both calibers and the results are dramatic. The .223 whacks it nicely (great drama ) and the .22-250 leaves no doubt that the earth pig is dead.

Heere kitty kitty kitty.... Have a look at this thread:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363860

Now back to gopher hunting.... I found that the .22-250 is needlessly burning powder and your throat (barrel erosion) especially if you encounter hordes of attacking gophers in a field. I also found that the .223 really whacks 'em good. Often splitting the gopher in half (read: monkey meat... no slight to monkeys, apes, et al). So the last time I went gopher hunting I just used my .22LR CZ452 Style. Kills 'em dead and lots cheaper also!

.223 is easier to find in Walmart or Cambodian Tire or local gunshops. Bulk Paks are great to buy if you don't reload. Reloading is cheap for the .223 if you do reload, the .22-250 is fine if you hunt a FEW (did not say dozen) groundhogs a session but for a gopher shoot, then it's the .22 LR or .223 for "blows 'em up real good effect".



Barney (and yes, I have both calibers.... in Rem M700 platforms)

 

[KDX]

I've never owned a 22-250, but have had several .223s and .22LRs and Hungry is giving you some good advice. I look at different rifles/calibers kind of like tools. Depending on the job, you may need a different tool in order to do it right, or to your satisfaction. That being said....if you subscribe to that train of thought, you will own several rifles of different calibers in the years to come.

 

[shmelmafinga]

Even with a heavy rifle, 22-250 is likely to recoil enough that you can't see the target being hit through your scope.
For me, the biggest drawback is the cleaning. 22-250 fouls fast and becomes a chore if you want to shoot a lot.
.223 works great on gophers and paper, and is much easier to maintain and cheaper to feed.

Better get one of each.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

.22-250 is more for coyotes than it is for gophers

 

[rral22]

.223 is a Chevy Malibu. .22-250 is a Corvette.

What do you want to drive.

 

[dan belisle]

I have 3 .223's and 2 22-250's. Plus 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, and 22-243 Middlestead. For target and gophers, get a 223. Depending on how far you want to shoot paper (and if you handload), a 1-8 or 1-9 twist will let you shoot the heavier bullets for longer ranges. Gophers won't care. - dan

 

[gopherxs]

I have a 22-250 and my brother has a 223, they both make gophers explode using 40gr V-max. The 223 lets you see the explosion thru the scope where the 22-250 usually has to much barrel bounce.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

.223 or a .222 do the job fine. Little overkill to use 22-250 on gophers.

 

[canuckgunny]

And whats the deal with the .204? Does it have the same recoil as the 22-250? Will it do more damage then the .223?

The deal? Well, it is the Greatest anti-squirrel round on the planet. 32grain bullet in a varmint gun=practically no recoil, it may or may not do more damage than a 223, but you can be darn near guaranteed to be viewing it through your scope unless you flinch. Runs at 22-250 speeds, without the heat and powder. Nothing but goodness.

 

[StevieK]

Is the barrel life in a 204 as short as the 22-250?

 

[dirt dog]

204 ruger is the way to go for this job no recoil look though the tube and see what you hit i love it

 

[canuckgunny]

The 204 does not use anywhere as much powder as its larger high speed counterparts.... it doesn't take much to propel a tiny 32grn projectile. Yes gas velocities are high come the arguments, but it is not a bbl burner like the 22250. I find my 204 runs just as cool as my 223s, fouling has never been a problem, etc. etc. Love it.

 

[Holleyman]

2 on the left is 17 HMR, 2 in the middle is 22LR and two on the right is 223 - 50 grain V-Max @ 3240 FPS

 

[captonion]

204 ruger is the way to go for this job no recoil look though the tube and see what you hit i love it

Never had a problem seeing hits through the scope with a 223. That being said I sill like the 204. Mostly because I don't have one.....YET.

 

[notyalc]

Would a .204 do the same damage as a .223? Would the .204 be better for longer ranges then the .223?

 

[brenden1669]

.223 rocks em

i have a tactical .223 which is my gopher gun, i shoot nosler ballistic tips that cut them in half, and leave gets spread out everywhere, and agian cheap to shoot and i will still have a barrel in 2 years, what ever it is you buy, get a heavy barrel, cause waiting for ur barrel to cool when there is gophers infront of you is very tuff.

 

[brenden1669]

negative

.204 u will shoot alot lighter bullet, going faster... 40 gr somewhere in the 3600 range, but the bullet will loose the energy alot faster and u might be aiming at the moon to pull a 300+ yard shot.
DO THE .223,

Would a .204 do the same damage as a .223? Would the .204 be better for longer ranges then the .223?

 

[Claybuster]

I've owned several .223s. When I consider acquiring a .22-250 I wonder what the point would be when the .243 is a more versatile round that will do much more.

The .204 Ruger has lots of fans but it doesn't do anything that .223 won't do and the .223 has more options in factory ammo and components than the Ruger.