.223 vs. .22-250 vs. .204ruger

[Coyote_Hunter_]

If you don't handload, get the .223.

I do, and got a .22-250.

 

[benzy2]

The .204 will have less wind drift than either the .223 or the .22-250. While it seems weird at first the .204 bullets have a higher BC and are driven faster than either the .223 or .22-250. While this doesn't take into account the effect on the animal it is something to consider if you live in windy areas and don't practice a ton. The .204 should burn through barrels more like the .22-250 but they gave it a longer neck which pushes barrel life to just about even with the .223 if that is important. I personally think the .204 is a great round in that for my situations and under the conditions I hunt it will do everything a .22-250 will. I'm sure there are some people where the .22-250 has advantages over the .204 that can be seen but I personal don't. I really don't shoot in situations where a .223 isn't enough but again thats just me. If the noise is a big factor I think the .223 wins by far out of the group. If you need absolute energy the .22-250 is the winner. If you need minimal wind drift the .204 wins. Pick what you like from there. As long as it is a quality firearm I'm sure they all will make you happy.

 

[jacob.elliott]

not arguing with you benzy2 but i have found that i can get more speed than my friends 204 and still have better accuracy. the shooter probably contributes most to the accuracy part though.

 

[Horsemany]

I've found the 22-250 to be better in wind than my 204. That's handloads though in both. I know the factory 204's are hotter than anybody can load em. The 22-250 does noticeably more damage to a pdog. I also find dumping powder into the 204 a pain. Especially if your gun likes a stick powder like Varget. Very hard to fill consistently and needs a substandard size powder nozzle. If I could only have one....22-250 hands down.

 

[1858rem]

've found the 22-250 to be better in wind than my 204. That's handloads though in both. I know the factory 204's are hotter than anybody can load em[/QUOTE]


do you have numbers from a chrono?


i was out re working a load for my .204 since i didnt like the 1.5 inch i was starting to see.....but who knew after 150-200rds it really just wanted to be cleaned lol!

i had about a 5mph or so wind left to right and put three shots into .245" (outside to outside diameter) and the other three opened the group to .952" in a vertical string as my bbl heated up so i dont think thats too bad at 100 yards for my very first group off a clean bbl aside from 3 foulers.\


oh yah and with the wind the bullets did not even notice it, i did try for "calm spots" to shoot but was still enough wind to make the pine trees limbs sway about 4-5"

load was 26.5 RL-15 and 40g vmax fed 205 std primer rem brass fl sized

i did not trim these cased to a std length since im trying to let them grow up to 1.850 for reduced throat wear i think.

anyhow.. shot#
1) 3529
2) 3526
3) 3549
4) 3578
5) 3594
6) 3575
avg-3558.5fps
es-68fps

not too bad but not even close to hdys claimed 40g load, and my 32g only avged 4083fps


ruger MKII 24"bbl off a bipod and a backpack as a rear rest lol

umm....i like the .204 a lot too!

oh yah and it is super loud, kinda comparable to my .308 actually...i think i will try downloading to 2500fps with the 40g's and see if i can get a noise level comparable to 22mag