223 Wins :)

SKScanuck

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Sorry, probably been posted to death....

But what are your thoughts, I have a 204 Ruger already...and got the hankering for a 22 cal HP rifle....
 
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I just ordered savage axis in .22-250. Cheap gun. I think its a better varmint cartridge than the .223 . But .223 Is cheaper and more readily available.
 
I'm not a professional by any means,but a 22-250 is no comparison to a 223,the 22-250 velocities will be pretty close to your 204 velocities,and that's with a 50gr bullet,,,the 223 velocities I bet are almost near 1000fps less,then a 204 and 22-250.."REMEMBER" I said I'm not a professional,let's see what the other folks got to say
 
The cheapy winchester white box .223 is pushing a 45 grain at 3600 fps, the similar round in .204 is 36 grain at 4025 fps

22-250 is pushing the 45 grainer at 4000 fps.

Winchesters ballistics calculator is great for this stuff. Bothe the 204 and 22-250 fly similar and the .223 is only 7" lower at 500 yds.

Lots of choices in factory ammo for .223 though

Shooter will be the deciding factor as always, not the round
 
If you can launch a 53gr vmax at around 3400 fps (benchmark or H4895 should get you close with a 24" barrel) it will almost match the trajectory of a 22-250 with a soft point 55gr bullet. I chose 223, dad prefers his 22-250.
 
I'd grab a fast-twist .223, like the Tikka T3, and then you'd have a nice rifle that can sling heavies and kill coyotes effectively as far away as you can hit them, and you'd also have the high-speed gun (.204) for 400 yards and closer. They would compliment each other quite nicely, while both being very economical and efficient.
 
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if you already have a 204 go with the 22 varminter . It really depends what you want to do with it. I found that if your just gonna plinking around @ 100 yards or so you would be better off with a 223 or 222 .
 
the 22-250's strength is also it's weakness. It's more powerful, but that means more noise, heat, and recoil which means you can't spot yourself through the scope. But it is faster and flatter over short distances, and carries more power for larger critters.

So, it all depends what you intend to use it for. My money says the 223 is a 'better' cartridge - you get longer strings between cool downs, and can spot yourself. Plus it's commonly available with fast twist (the 22-250 is not), which makes it a better long-range choice (i.e. 500+ yards)
 
If you have the 204 and like it, the 22-250 isn't much different really ... the 223 is a "lesser" gun ion the ballistics scale, but it's a fun gun.

If you want something different, get teh 223 - if you want soemthing similar, grab a 22-250

Or, step up an entire level and look at a 243.
 
As a yote hunter I am surprised to see you say this considering he already has a 204 he is looking to compliment... What is the advantage of owning a .204 and a .22-250 without a .223 in the arsenal?...
I have a M4 in 556 :)
 
Without knowing what you want to do with this rifle, the entire discussion is pointless.

1. Punching paper;
2. Bagging yotes; and
3. Exploding tangerines at 200 yards!

Kinda funny, I was at the EOHC a few weeks back and put 4 tangerines on the target stand at 200 yards. Well I did some paper punching with the M4 at the 100 and switched over to the 204 at 200 to hit the tangerines. It was then I discovered that I left the bolt for my 204 at home.

Okay, so I go back this weekend and all 4 tangerines are still there. Two had 22 sized holes in them. My 204 popped some hols in them and rolled a couple off by hitting them a few times. I had to use my 308 to get them to explode...

Okay so it looks like I digressed from the original post (OP) but......I was hoping to get a caliber that would explode a tangerine (not the 308) and that is why I got on the 22-250 kick....
 
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