.17, .204, and 22-250 real-life comparision

[Sitting Duck]

Hello all! I currently have a 1977 Remington ADL 22-250 with a sporter barrel. I shoot target at 200 yards exclusively and this rifle is very accurate at that range. However, in the warmer (hotter than hell) months (Arizona) this puppy heats up very quickly making five shot groups into an extended waiting game.

I would like to purchase another rifle (bull barrel) to compliment the above and for the same purpose. I have a brother that swears by (not at) his early '70s Remington .17 for accuracy. I don't know anybody that owns a .204 but have read good reviews of this cartridge.

If you have any experience with the above rounds, I would like to read about them. Good or bad. That goes for the rifle they were shot out of, also.

TIA.

 

[hossdaniels]

which 17?

 

[ITILT]

.204 is fast mover.

I use the .204 primarily for varmints and it shoots extremely well. (I can get solid groups anywhere through 150- 350 yards)

 

[Sitting Duck]

Which .17?

Centerfire.

 

[hossdaniels]

My only 17 experience is hmr, but between the 204 and the 22-250 you wont find much difference untill you really start reaching out there, then the edge goes to the 22-250. The only 204 Ive shot was a cz varmint/kevlar. Awesome rifle that shot awesome groups under 1/2" regularly with factory ammo. I'd look at a 223 to have something cheap to plink with out to 3-400 yds. Really not much difference between the 204 and the 22-250, atleast not for new rifle money in my eyes.

 

[mikeothmer]

If your looking to shoot targets I'd go with either the 17 Fireball or The 221 Fire ball. Cheap to shoot if you reload and very accurate but wind is a big factor with any 17. I have a 204 that will shoot MOA all day on a dog town

 

[redneck2]

Which .17?

He said early 70's which would make it the .17 Rem center fire. Smoking hot round, but it would heat the barrel fast.

Why wouldn't you consider a .223?

Actually, if I were shooting for max accuracy at 200 or less, it would be a PPC or the 6BR round. As much as I like my 250, it's kinda overkill for paper at those ranges IMO.

 

[shooting4life]

I love my 204, I can get some pretty small groups with it. I have not taken it past 200 yards. I think you would see a difference between the 204 and the 22-250 past 300 yards. The higher bc of the 22-250 will help.

 

[codybrown]

Well both my favorite rifles for long range shooting of any kind are a 22-250 and a .220 swift. They both wear Leupold VXIII 6.5-20 LR scopes with the varmint hunters recticle.

 

[rangerruck]

proly the best out to 300 for varmints is the 17fireball. Absolutely mild , like a 17hmr, for recoil, and not much hotter as well, for no bbl burn. I would next take the 204; it has better b.c. downrange, and can take game to 400 yds, if need be, and only is a bit hotter than a fireball. Both will not burn your bbl, to any worrisome degree. but if you want a round, that is a breeze to handload, and doesn't take much powder at all, and also when you fire it, feels like you fired a rimfire, and you can still watch the impact through the scope, you gotta
go with the fireball.

 

[Sitting Duck]

Thanks, for the replies. I'll have to check these fireballs out.