204 or 223 or 243 or Other.......

[viking499]

I had a 243 I was going to make a varmit gun out of. Load me some nice 55-70 grain bullets, whatever proved best in the rifle, and use it for groundhogs, coyotes, etc. A guy wanted me to price the rifle to him, I did, and now its sold. It's OK because I came out on it nicely.

My current rifle selection now goes from a couple CZ 22's to a 223 AR to 2 sweet 6.5x55's.

I am starting to look again for another rifle to use for a varmit gun. Nothing bull barreled or HEAVY, something light, easy to carry through the field or the woods. Easy to get in and out of the truck.

I am looking at the choices I have had some experience with and taking opinions on these and others. I had a 204 at one time that I sold to finance another deal. I liked it. Groundhogs hated it. Liked the way the 204 shot at 300 yardsThe only thing was, I didn't take it out on windy days. The only 223 I have ever had is in an AR platform. Good shooter, just sort of big and bulky. Just always questioned ballistics, flat shooting and energy of the 223 over 200 yards. Had a couple 243's over the years, have not found one yet that I said I would never get rid of(unlike my swedes that are keepers), usually sell to finance something else. Son and wife shoot 243's. But, those are THEIR guns.

So, should I go with one of these calibers or something else? Limits are under $800 +/- on the gun. Already have a scope. Not a Savage, Ruger or Browning fan. Like CZ, Tikka, Winny's and Older Remington's.

Other option that comes and goes in my mind is to buy a TC Prohunter frame and one or all of the 3 calibers listed above in the 28" prohunter barrels. Read some positive things about these barrels. They only thing I would worry about with the TC is the inaccuracy of some of the barrels. Maybe there are many accurate ones out there, but you read alot about the bad barrels.

Now I need input from the experts........................

 

[rangerruck]

Well, I suppose we should consider a few more variables, like how much do you shoot, do you paper punch, what is your ammo cost envelope, etc. So lets forget all that, and just go with what is better.
the 204 and the 243 will have better ballistics than the 223, especially if not handloading; they will also both buck the wind better. the 243 is the most versatile, find an old remmy 788 or 600/ 660/ mohawk, and get a killer 243 or 223. you could also look at a 22.250 or 220 swift.
Lastly, let me throw you a real curve; 17 fireball. 4000 fps, with 22 mag type recoil, shoots a " frickin laser beam" out to 300 yds, if that is your range limit.
and is good on everything from coyotes on down.
Oops, wait, lemme throw you another one, especially if you will eventually handload, 22 hornet.
or you could do the t/c thing, with 17 fireball, 22 hornet, and 243 bbls.
I see no probs getting a 243 bbl, and loading some 70 grainers in it, and have it scream along at about 3800 fps.
the prob with the 204 is, they will all come in heavy bbls, unless you do a custom t/c bbl. same with the 17 fireball.

 

[viking499]

I have heard the 17 is a screamer

 

[dagger dog]

If you are looking at the older rifles and the European makes Tikka,Cz, don't count out the 22-250 chamberings this round is as thrifty to feed as any 6mm flatter shooting and will buck the wind out to 300 yds and beyond. The performance with 40 gr ballistic tip bullets will leave most but the lunatic fringe of .223 loadings sucking hind teat, It will also give the 400 yd performance of the .204 but with more energy.

 

[rangerruck]

the 17 fireball is basically a 22 hornet necked down, with a 40 degree shoulder, shooting a 20 or 25 grain screamer. there may even be a few more ammo choices now. It has been around for about 50 years, and dudes who shoot it, would never give it up.
previously, it was called the 17machIV. You can use lil gun powder, or the new 17 Reloader powder. Very cool, doesn't overheat, doesn't throat burn bbls., 22mag type kick, and again, if reloading, you now that you can , reload 22 hornet cases forever, with just one bucket o' powder.

If you go 243, I would try a 1/9.5 twist. for some reason, and it only seems to be true with a 243, if you slow the twist rate, the lighter bullets get all kinds of funky downrange, and 1/10 is marginal. I would check a 1/9.5.