Help with caliber decision for predator gun .

No 220 swift available in the tikka .
Vanilla it is . Or should I say 223 .
My eyes are sore from reading about these 3 calibers for the last 2 days .. and weeks prior .
I coulda went with any of the 3 .. but it came down to twist rates between the 204 and the 223 in the tikkas .
Some tikka guys with 204 report accuracy problems with the heavier 40 grain bullets.. but amazing accuracy with the 32 grain with the 1 in 12 twist barrel in the tikka . As a coyote gun I would likely want the 40 grain pills . With so few choices of bullets with the 204 I didn’t want run into this problem . So I went the safe route with the good old and boring 223 Lol .
Thanks for all the input fellas . It was a toss up .
I will post back with an update when I get it and get some rounds through it .
Oh and now for a scope . Haha . More reading
 
Rokon1976 said:
No 220 swift available in the tikka .
Vanilla it is . Or should I say 223 .
My eyes are sore from reading about these 3 calibers for the last 2 days .. and weeks prior .
I coulda went with any of the 3 .. but it came down to twist rates between the 204 and the 223 in the tikkas .
Some tikka guys with 204 report accuracy problems with the heavier 40 grain bullets.. but amazing accuracy with the 32 grain with the 1 in 12 twist barrel in the tikka . As a coyote gun I would likely want the 40 grain pills . With so few choices of bullets with the 204 I didn’t want run into this problem . So I went the safe route with the good old and boring 223 Lol .
Thanks for all the input fellas . It was a toss up .
I will post back with an update when I get it and get some rounds through it .
Oh and now for a scope . Haha . More reading
Click to expand...

Great choice. Key to getting the most out of the 40gn vmax in my tikka is handloading for sure. .223 is solid, enjoy!
 
I have the 223 in T3x very accurate with 40-50 grain hand loads - decided to go with a T3 in 204 for the extra umph past 250 yards. My 2 cents would be the 204 save all your spent brass in case you go the reload route. but, honestly if your 204 shoots excellent groups with either the 32 or 40 why bother to reload for that extra 1/8 of an inch?
 
Rokon1976 said:
No 220 swift available in the tikka .
Vanilla it is . Or should I say 223 .
My eyes are sore from reading about these 3 calibers for the last 2 days .. and weeks prior .
I coulda went with any of the 3 .. but it came down to twist rates between the 204 and the 223 in the tikkas .
Some tikka guys with 204 report accuracy problems with the heavier 40 grain bullets.. but amazing accuracy with the 32 grain with the 1 in 12 twist barrel in the tikka . As a coyote gun I would likely want the 40 grain pills . With so few choices of bullets with the 204 I didn’t want run into this problem . So I went the safe route with the good old and boring 223 Lol .
Thanks for all the input fellas . It was a toss up .
I will post back with an update when I get it and get some rounds through it .
Oh and now for a scope . Haha . More reading
Click to expand...

My CZ 527 in .204 shoots the heavier bullets better. I am shooting hot reloads with 35 - 40gr pills very accurately over 3900fps.
 
Jay said:
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.

Click to expand...

I'm with you on this. Predator is low volume shooting but could involve unknown range shots. For that game I want speed for a flat trajectory and heavyish bullets to buck wind. 22-250 is a great choice. The 25-06 is even better.
 
Kinda having second thoughts now . Lol .
That 204 ruger is calling me . Too late though .. my 223 has already shipped .
I’m sure I will enjoy the 223 , it’s probably the kind of caliber everyone should own or at least, or have owned at least once .. and I never have .
223 it is .. but I’m already finding myself looking through the EE for a deal on a 204 ruger . Haha
 
The all great .220 swift ....then the 22-250
I developed a load that a 40 gr pill is flying out a just under 4400 fps .....in my .220 swift
500 meter shots no problem.....!!
And very easy
Expect a total disaster on a coyote.....or just. Red mist left behind ....one shot kills like stupid fast .
!!!..and when your buddy looks over and says to you..... what in the Sam hell was that .....my response laughing my head off
That was the .220 swift ...how do you like it now ...
Insert big happy face here !!!
 
Rokon1976 said:
Kinda having second thoughts now . Lol .
That 204 ruger is calling me . Too late though .. my 223 has already shipped .
I’m sure I will enjoy the 223 , it’s probably the kind of caliber everyone should own or at least, or have owned at least once .. and I never have .
223 it is .. but I’m already finding myself looking through the EE for a deal on a 204 ruger . Haha
Click to expand...


You’ll be alright ha ha. The beauty of Varmint rifles is there’s no limit to the number a guy needs. While you’re getting to know your 223 grab a box of 35 gr NTX® Superformance from Hornady. At 4000fps it’ll get you close to the 204.
 
doc25 said:
Remember caliber is one thing bullet selection another. I've used 243, 223,204,12g and shot one with cast in a 303. Reloading is what will give you the most benefit.

In the 204 I find a 32 gr. Vmax works great. Not as impressed with the nosler offering. Others opinions will vary. No two shots on an animal are the same. Broadside tends to be the highest risk of damage. I much prefer the face on chest shot as there is a lot more length of animal for the bullet to decelerate.

If you're planning on shooting fox and cats then you may be better off with a 22 mag, 12g or a 243 running something in the 100gr. Range at 2-2200 fps. Hunting bullet not varmint.

If you're stuck using factory stuff , you're stuck using the genre of loads available for that caliber. So you're not going to find many slow moving 204 or 22-250 varmint factory loads. Realize as well that varmint bullets are not really intended for coyotes, they work well but some of them may be constructed lighter intended to break up easier on smaller targets. You will have to experiment with different bullets and weights until you find what works best for you and your hunting situations.

Personally I like the 204, the coyotes I get are called in, usually near or in Bush. Average range i shoot at is a about 50yds.

Good luck with whatever you purchase. They are all capable calibers.
Click to expand...

What nosler bullet did you try and why didn't you like it?
 
Jims71duster said:
The question was what caliber not cartridge, center fire .22 would cover most of the comments
Click to expand...

I would politely suggest this is governed primarily by local terrain, calling ability of shooter or shooting partner and ones marksmanship abilities at distance with wind factored into the equation, and finally ones ability to adapt to unforseen changes to the initial plan.

Cheers and good shooting
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom