Help with caliber decision for predator gun .

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Rokon1976

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Got a Cabela’s gift card I got for Xmas and decided I need a new predator gun .
Going to go with a tikka t3x varmint stainless
The Boxing Day sale price expires at midnight so I want to order it this evening .
This will be mainly a coyote gun . But bobcats and lynx are always a possibility. From what I’ve heard , 22-250 can be pretty hard on pelts on smaller critters like lynx and bobcat.
I’m torn three ways . 22-250 ... 223 or 204 ruger ? I have never owned any of these calibers .
I’ve read and read and watched hundreds of YouTube videos about the 3 calibers . I feel like I’m pretty well versed on the ballistics of each caliber . I dont handload ... yet . This is where the 204 may fall behind in my decision . If I was already set up and doing the reloading thing , I might be leaning more towards the 204 .
I already have a 243 .. so I’m thinking the 22-250 isn’t all that much different . I like the idea of less recoil in the 223 to get laser accurate and possibly see the shot hit through the scope.
I could probably flip a coin and choose any of the 3 and be happy with my choice, but would like a little push to help me decide .
Where I hunt .. I could be shooting anywhere from 100 yards out to maybe 300 . So nothing super long range . But never say never.
I guess I’m just looking for any input from someone that may have a couple of these calibers .. maybe you can sway my decision with something I may have overlooked ballistically .
Ok go ! Sell me on one of these calibers . Lol
And thanks in advance
 
Predator hunting is not high volume shooting. If the difference between 223 and any other centerfire is applicable, price wise, perhaps you could try something else.

If pelts are a consideration, projectile is more important than caliber. A rather stout bullet, not a explosive gopher/varmit bomb. A smallish deer rifle is fine, with your deer load.
 
Depending on what kind of predator hunting you’re doing? If you’re doing a lot of calling I would lean towards a 22 250 rather than a 223 I would rather have a 22 250 if a pack of wolves comes in. That being said if there was no chance of bears big cats or wolves coming in and you’re only going out to 300 I would go 223. Or if you are a spot in stock kind of hunter take take 243 and 223.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far . No love for the 204 eh guys ? Lol. It sure peaks my interest . But could be a little light for larger critters .
Yes all good points on the 223 and the 22-250 . And yes I mainly sit and call. My first.. and so far only predator gun is a ruger American predator in 243 .
The reason I chose 243 was to have a little more oomph incase a wolf or cougar presented itself . So far I haven’t been that lucky.
I like the 243, but even though 243 isn’t a hard recoiling round by any means . I just want something a touch lighter and easier to shoot .
Also, I’d really like to get a bobcat or lynx hide if I could .. and I’d hate to see what a 243 would do to one .
As for choosing the regular t3x lite over the heavy barreled varmint . The varmint is only 1 pound heavier from what I can see . I don’t really walk all that far from the truck .. I run a big swagger bipod too, so the gun will be kinda heavy and bulky regardless . An extra pound is here nor there . I have the fore end of my ruger stock filled with epoxy resin and lead shot . So I think the tikka varmint will be lighter anyways.
I thought I heard something about the tikka magazines not fitting the heavier bullets in 223 because they end up being too long ? Anyone know anything about this ?
 
Well I am a 204 guy. If you are not interested in keeping the fur then it doesn't matter what you use. I shoot between 30 - 40 coyotes a year and have used them all. 223, 22-250, 243, and 204. The 204 does the best job of preserving the fur as long as I do my part. If you just want a varmint / predator gun in a small caliber then I would choose a 223 because of the availability and cost of ammunition. We have a $15.00 bounty on coyotes every winter where I live so it is nice to collect some money and still keep the carcass for skinning and selling. Fur prices were very good last year and my best prime coyote brought $168.00.
 
Go with the heavy barrel Tikka if weight is not a factor. If you are running factory ammo even heavy bullets should feed fine and if you get into reloading you can replace the bottom metal for AI or MDT mags fairly easily or run down the rabbit hole and replace the stock, trigger, bolt shroud and eventually the barrel.

Lots of great upgrade options for the Tikka if you want them.
 
For a dedicated predator gun, I went 22-250, but with a faster twist to handle heavier projectiles... The Ruger American Predator has a 1:10 twist compared to most 22-250's which are a slower twist.

 
Thanks guys . I’m just as confused as ever . Lol . There’s is definitely pros and cons to all 3 .
I think I am slightly leaning towards the more boring of the 3 being the 223 . Lol .
But as time ticks away and I’m getting closer to clicking buy .. I’m quickly reading all I can about the 204 and 22-250 and it’s getting harder and harder to choose by the minute .
Thanks again for all the input ... even if it had confused me even that much more . Haha .
Happy new year everyone . I’ll post back with what I choose .
 
That T3 Lite 223 in the EE right now for just over six brown ones hazz me dewn this...………….:sok2

And there it wuzz……...gawn.
 
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i own and have hunted with all 3 of the options you are considering.
22-250 pros. fast flat and anchors things hard! cons. on smaller game fast varmint bullets run the risk of making a mess.
223. pros. cheap to shoot, lots of ammo, good on fur. cons. more bullet drop for long range shooting
204. pros. fast and flat like the 22-250, great on fur. cons. less factory ammo and on longer shots bullet placement is key in anchoring the animal solidly.

unless you plan to reload i would suggest the 223. even though it is kind of a vanilla cartridge it checks off all the right boxes for what you are looking for.
 
.204 for Coyotes and smaller. It catches up to and surpasses the energy of the .22-250 at distance, shoots flatter and incurs less pelt damage with virtually no recoil. It beats the .223 all around. The ballistic coefficient of the .204 is excellent. The only disadvantage is in a crosswind as can be expected with lighter bullets.

I use a .260 for wolves. They are a much tougher critter.
 
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