204 vs 223 vs 22-250 vs 243

[BoilerUP]

I know ya can't always believe ballistics tables...but a 204 with a 39 or 40gr bullet has less drop AND drift up to 500m and 10mph crosswind than a 22-250 does.

I love my 22-250, but the 204 is sweet to shoot, about the same cost to reload, and its quite nice to see hits through the scope with no recoil whatsoever.

That said, I've never set mine up on a windy great plains dogtown and had a string of misses due to breezy conditions while 22-250s and 243s were scoring hits...so I'll defer to those who have.

 

[Durty]

Get a 243 if you want to shoot critters at 500 yards. It will also double as an effective deer rifle.

 

[22-rimfire]

I vote for the 243 due to heavier bullets. 500 yd shots are still pretty darn far. The 243 will flat out splatter a coyote. Also you can use the same rifle for deer hunting. I consider the 243/6mm the lowest power caliber for deer hunting but many will dissagree with me on this.

Under 250 yds, I prefer the 223. But the 204 is certainly interesting for smaller varmints.