Help me decide

[Marshian]

I don't currently own a varmint/ target practice rifle and was all set to get a 223 until today at work. A colleague told me he owns a few 223s and 22-250s but his favorite varmint round by far is his 204 ruger. He kept raving on the laser trajectory, ability to see impact through the scope since recoil is virtually nil, and powerful enough to nail coyotes out to 400 yds which is plen long for me. I know the ammo is more, but I plan to get into reloading so this is likely a moot point. Anyone here own a 204 or care to comment on which caliber you would get if just entering the varmint rifle market? Thanks.

 

[JCS]

I have 2 .204's and have shot thousands of rounds through them. I love it. You CAN see the impacts. I have shot many coyotes with it and untold prairie dogs. If you keep your coyotes to less than 400 yards you will be okay. If you need any info on the .204 go to .204 ruger.com. All your questions will be asked.

That being said, I have owned .17rem, 22-250, .223 and 220 swift. For a midrange gun, I still like the .204, but if you shoot lots you need to reload.

 

[wyoming556]

I was exposed to the .204 prairie dog hunting last year. Impressive round for sure.

 

[dustinf]

I wanted a 22-250, but found a smoking deal on a .204.

My personel experience, it kills coyotes, prairie dogs, and ground hogs out to 400 yards no problem.

 

[MThuntr]

3 round group with my Savage 204 with 32gr V-max

I'm making vertical adjustments to my scope but if I would have left the scope set it would have been a heck of a group.

My 204 will not feed Hollow Points so it gets shot as a single which turns out to be helpful on a dog town. I bought some of those silly Zombie Max Bullets to see how they do.

 

[Marshian]

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up going with the 223 as I got a good price on it, and it is in an a-bolt medallion which is the same model as my go-to big game rifle and I liked the idea of practicing with the same model. Maybe down the road I'll pick up a 204 as theY do seem pretty sweet.

 

[diem24]

You will be happy with it because its yours. Ive missed plenty of coyotes over the years and never have I thought after, "man...If I only would have been shooting my XXXX". Accuracy off a bench rest is completely different than sitting in a snow bank calling coyotes. I personally carry a 22-250 that is a tack driver well out past 400y. Not because it is so much better than anything else, but because I have a lot of confidence in it. Ive also killed yots w 22 hornets, 223, 222, 243, and a lot w 12ga buckshot. They all shoot well and saying one is better than the other is like saying Chevy's are better than Fords. Some guys will argue one way or the other, but at the end of the day, both are good. Dodges on the other hand.....