.223 vs .204

I like my ruger .204(seeavatar) but it is too heavy to stand and fire for gophers. Any suggestions for a light .204 that has a smaller handgrip than a rem 700?
 
Bobby Ironsights said:
He's already got a hi performance .22 bore (22-250) that he can use all those .224 diameter bullets in that you are shooting out of your .223. Why buy a new rifle if you're going to shoot the same pills out of the same pipe, just loaded in different cases?

I'm not maligning the .223, it just seems pointless to duplicate, nes pas?
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Well, the 22-250 will do all that both a 223 or 204 can do, so he doesn't really need either.

Of the 2, I think the 223 is a better cartridge due to it's versatility. I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at anything from a gopher to a deer or bear with a 223 and a good bullet.
 
scott_r said:
Ive got both and the .204 wins, its pretty messy when you hit something with a 32 gr. bullet humming at over 4200 fps :eek: Im yet to have a coyote run on me with my .204 either.
Only downside is I strickly buy factory Hornady ammo for the .204 and it costs me a $1 per round. I don't reload for the .204 cause you can't get the velocity and I like the 1/2 " groups it prints.

Cheers!!
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I am getting 4175fps with my handloads shooting the 26gr BVG averaging 1/2", absolutely spectacular on gophers. I also have 2 223's, wouldn't be with out either caliber but since you have the 22-250 I would go with the 204.
 
Gatehouse said:
Well, the 22-250 will do all that both a 223 or 204 can do, so he doesn't really need either.

Of the 2, I think the 223 is a better cartridge due to it's versatility. I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at anything from a gopher to a deer or bear with a 223 and a good bullet.
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Oh, I agree, if he was starting from scratch, he'd be much better off with a .223.
 
Velocity

scott_r said:
Ive got both and the .204 wins, its pretty messy when you hit something with a 32 gr. bullet humming at over 4200 fps :eek: Im yet to have a coyote run on me with my .204 either.
Only downside is I strickly buy factory Hornady ammo for the .204 and it costs me a $1 per round. I don't reload for the .204 cause you can't get the velocity and I like the 1/2 " groups it prints.

Cheers!!
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For my money the load that I produce with the 40 gr Ballistic tip travelling in the neighbor hood of 3700 fps out of my 204 ruger in an HS precision is certainly as devastating as a 32gr going some what faster and getting to the intended target.03 seconds faster. This is a Varget load, that I likely could push faster, but dead is dead. FS
 
.223! Much more versatile, much better for coyotes, lots of factory ammo available at moderate prices and probably the widest selection of reloading component bullets available for it today. While the .204 does some things well, I prefer the heavier calibre for Coyotes.
 
Originally Posted by manitou210 View Post
The problem for you its hard to find a light hunting gun made in .223 with a 1/9 or better still 1/7 twist. most are 1/12 and won't shoot the 69gr & bigger bullets.

Chizzy said:
Here are a couple that would be good choices.

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles_lite_stainless.php
Regards,
Chizzy
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I am waiting for above rifle to arrive.
According to specs from below it could be 1-12 or 1-8?
Sounds like they will be the 1-8".
http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/LiteStainless.pdf
 
I'm no marksman and Ive dropped 3 coyotes with a .204 so it does dogs but it is too darn heavy. Ive had flashbacks to my youth of drafgging a a 303 british pushing bush.
 
I am a fan of the .223, If your looking for light carry gun what about the Remington Model 7 its like a mini 700 I had a really nice one in my hands with a small fluted barrel I forget what caliber it was but if I was looking for a nice light weight gun that would be my choice.
 
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