204 or 223
- Thread starter viking499
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ECVMatt
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I have both and love them both. If you are going to shoot in volume, then I would go with the .223. If you are going to shoot in smaller batches, then I would suggest the .204. I just played with my .204 today and really like shooting it. I like the .204 because can basically hold dead on for a hit out to 300 yards. I live near the desert here and this is an important attribute as shots are generally long.
mljdeckard
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I had heard once, tell me if I'm wrong, that you can't handload the .204 to the same performance as the factory loads.
Vern Humphrey
Member
If I were doing a lot of varmit shooting -- and I mean a lot -- I'd get a Savage in .17 Rem, shoot the barrel out, rebore and rerifle to .204, shoot that out, then rebore and rerifle to .223.
I'll put that on my bucket list.
I'll put that on my bucket list.
ApplePie
Member
I just don't see the point to the .204 Ruger, other than to sell new rifles and generate free advertising via write-ups in the press. It's too similar to the cheaper-to-shoot and more versatile .223 and does nothing better in the real world. More bullet choices for the .223, and much more available and cheaper brass. For varmints, how many more choices do we need than the 17's, .223's, 22-250's and .243's?
Load a .223 to 3600 fps with a 40 grain bullet and call it good.
Actually, I don't consider the .243 a varmint gun. For me, the .243 has far too much recoil for varmint shooting. I like to see the bullet hit. If you want to reach out maximum distance to varmints, the 22-250 is all you need.
Load a .223 to 3600 fps with a 40 grain bullet and call it good.
Actually, I don't consider the .243 a varmint gun. For me, the .243 has far too much recoil for varmint shooting. I like to see the bullet hit. If you want to reach out maximum distance to varmints, the 22-250 is all you need.
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If you're getting a lot of recoil in a .243, you're shooting the wrong bullets. With a 55gn pill recoil is ever so slightly more than a .22-250, and that's because the bullet is going a bit faster.
What's wrong with choices? The .204 is a lot more flexible than the .17s are and handle wind and longer ranges better. With the right bullets it does the same compared to the .223 when shooting actual varmint bullets.
What's wrong with choices? The .204 is a lot more flexible than the .17s are and handle wind and longer ranges better. With the right bullets it does the same compared to the .223 when shooting actual varmint bullets.
mdauben
Member
As its going to be his rifle and both choices will serve and you reload both, why not ask him which he wants?
SSN Vet
Member
Perhaps your son will find it easier to get hits and enjoy the experience more with the flat shooting .204
meanmrmustard
Member
.224 is going to be more readily available,
He reloads. There is no difference in availability.
meanmrmustard
Member
Locally, that may not be true. If ordering from the Internet, then yes, it is a nonissue. If you're like me and prefer to shop locally, then there's no shortage of options for .223 rem.
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The_Armed_Therapist
Member
For the kid, I'd go with .223. I prefer the .204, but when he gets older, he may not be able to reload and/or have you reload for him. In that case, he'll still be able to afford .223 on a tight budget, and it's available everywhere... And this is coming from me, who thinks the .223 popularity is unfortunate, and that the .204 and .22-250 are superior (and I also like niche items).
In my area, except for 223 Remington blasting ammunition, the availability between 204 Ruger and 223 Remington is no difference. To get the wider variety of bullets and powders available for .224 caliber I still have to mail order.
I guess it depends on where you live.
Even so, I can do so much better on price by mail ordering. The local stores are real proud of their stuff.
My first varmint rifle was a Ruger #1 .204. I still love it, but the .223 has become my favorite. Why? The .223 is so easy to reload and if you get tired of reloading, .223 ammo is available everywhere. My plan is to buy another .204 and another .223. Your son will ultimately decide what he likes, but I would start with the .223. A mighty thoughtful gift!!
Anothermiller
Member
223 in a vmax or ballistic tip bullet should do the job.Ruger makes a nice one as does many others.I had a no.1 in that.Single shot but really popped those woodchucks out there aways!
He is sixteen, and being younger, I believe that the 204 will carry a higher meaning to him. A 223, well they are all over the place. A 204 ruger, while still widely used, holds a little higher luster that will give him a little bit more pride in what his Dad got him for his B-day.
This is a materialistic for sure. But he is a teenager and though I'm sure he's a good kid with his his head on straight, I believe this will still hold true to some degree.
I would suggest a Ruger American, but ,oddly enough, they are not chambered in 204 Ruger. Figure that one out.
This is a materialistic for sure. But he is a teenager and though I'm sure he's a good kid with his his head on straight, I believe this will still hold true to some degree.
I would suggest a Ruger American, but ,oddly enough, they are not chambered in 204 Ruger. Figure that one out.
stubbicatt
Member
I've been a long time fan of the 223. That said, I had a coyote hunting partner for a short time who used the 204 on everything from prairie dogs to coyotes, and it was quite impressive. I remember once standing maybe 30 yards or so behind him when he shot a prairie dog at 100+ yards. I saw the dog "pop" before I heard the shotblast. THAT impressed me.
I remember when the round was released it was supposed to be able to shoot flatter than a 22 250 using less powder and with less throat erosion. I haven't compared the trajectories or anysuch thing.
I remember when the round was released it was supposed to be able to shoot flatter than a 22 250 using less powder and with less throat erosion. I haven't compared the trajectories or anysuch thing.
I responded earlier to this thread and initially suggested the .223. But, after reading JRWhit's thoughtful comment, I changed my mind. The .204 is an amazing round and your son will certainly remember where it came from. There are several manufacturers that make good models; what do you like? What do you think your son would like and remember?
wlewisiii
Member
After reading through the thread, I'd simply like to say that the only "varmint" rifle I'll probably ever have, for those times when I do need one, is when I build a .257 Roberts on a mauser action. I prefer something that has more than only one possible use and so I'll live with the slightly larger rifle needed to properly handle the Bob. The ability to do good work at both ends of the spectrum far outweighs the niche abilities of the .204 or the .223.
aussiehunter steve
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.204 or .223
I have both in Sako rifles and I like both rounds. Both are very accurate but the .204 is easier to hit with at long range, less affected by wind, and a more spectacular killer of varmint's.
I have both in Sako rifles and I like both rounds. Both are very accurate but the .204 is easier to hit with at long range, less affected by wind, and a more spectacular killer of varmint's.
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