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Looking for feedback on various different varmint cals...
Was initially looking at 223/22-250/243, but a few people have recommended the 204 Ruger.
Anyone have experience with this load at all?
Consideration for me would be capability on coyotes, noise and ammo cost... likely in that order
No experience with the 204 but I did have a .243 for coyotes and traded it for a .223. Noise is a little less for the area I hunt, less pelt damage and easier to see impact.
I have all your listed. The .22 250 comes with me everytime.
I bought a new one not long ago. Sako 85 stainless laminate fluted varmint with set trigger. Hope it brings me as much luck as my Tikka .22 250 did
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I had an uncle that was a really great shooter, he would use a 222 for ground hogs then 243 or 6mm for coyotes, he liked the longer bullet with less wind drift in the winter months over a 22-250 or something with a shorter stumpy bullet, but that did mean shooting heavy bullets for the 243, not 55gr varmint bullets.
Noise can be an issue, I would not go up to a 270 for varmints but some have.
Was there a noticeable noise difference between the 243 and 223?Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyObsessed
I agree, and ballistically a 243 in the lighter bullets is very similar to a 22-250... so for me it would make sense to get something I could also use as a mid size game backup. The 22-250 seems to only have 1 purpose to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
When you think about it, a 55gr bullet is really on the light side when you start getting larger, even for varmints. Closer ranges you have no problem but there are coyotes getting up over 50lbs. If you ever have a thought of getting into wolves then you really want to creep into that deer size game type cartridge, at least that is my thought on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridger
I would not have any issues hunting coyotes here with a 6.5x55mm and 143gr ELD-X, no point in changing my scope from deer loads and it may actually do less pelt damage, if the varmint bullet hits a rib or something like that you can get a big hole. Have I had a chance on a coyote with the 6.5? No, have shot some groundhogs with it though, made a mess, the 222 would have been a lot nicer.
Our group uses all three cal. .223, 22-250 and .243. I personally use a 243 in 58 gr. V-Max pills. We hunt farm country and there is pretty much zero chance of a 58 ricochet. They can be a bit tough on hides though, depending on where the yotes are hit. I’ve noticed the 22-250 hit yotes tend to run a lot further than those hit by a .243. The increase in noise doesn’t seem to be an issue. Of the three cal.s, the .243 is the only one that can be loaded with heavier deer sized bullets, IMHO....so if you are looking for a multi-use cal., the .243 would be best.
I have no idea about .204, but it would seem a bit light for coyotes. I don’t know of anyone around here that uses one.
I've shot most of the coyotes here with the 6.5 (.264)..it's my go to varmint rifle. Never a big mess, but not really a concern for me (livestock management).Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
I do have some 100gr loaded, just haven't had the opportunity to see how they work yet.
I have a .204, a couple .223’s and a 22-250 and have shot several yotes with each. All great coyote calibers. My favourite is prob the .204 but that being said I’ve been using one of the .223’s the last couple years but only because I’m cheap and my .223’s shoot the real cheap loads well. There would not be much cost difference between the 204 and 223 if I had to buy premium ammo for the .223. Don’t think there are any cheap options for the 204. The 204 is fast, flat shooting, fur friendly and very light recoil for faster follow up shots but we are not talking about much difference between the smaller calibers. To answer your question yes the 243/22-250’s are noticeably louder then the smaller options listed. If you are looking at pursuing coyote and smaller game with this rifle I’d stick with the smaller calibers but if you are wanting to possibly use for bigger animals you might want to go with the larger ones.
Anyone doubting the .204 for large yotes just take a look at the ballistics compared to the smaller calibers, I’ve downed some big yotes with it one shot......bang flop.......and almost have to search for an entrance whole. That being said an azz shot yote with any of the options is going to need a follow up.
Ditto on the .204 which I have been using more and more , amazing how flat it shoots and kills "coyotes "' I have .222, and .243, and have killed many coyotes with both over the 43 years of hunting them, but now the .204 reigns supreme.Quote:
Originally Posted by duckslayer
I also shoot a .22 mag if in close proximity to buildings, it will kill but the range is a limiting factor.
Why not get a rifle you can use for big game as well. 243 would be my pick out of your mention. Years ago I sold my 223 and just use a 270 for what ever I consider to big or to far for 22lr.
The .223 has killed probably more humans than coyotes. With the proper bullet and shot placement it’s a proven round. If Noise isn’t an issue the 22-250 is more of a good thing.
There seemed to be, but It could just be me too!?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridger
With both 204 and 243 in the cabinet, was always reaching for the 204 when going for coyotes. The 243 eventually was sold because it never got used. Thought it would make an excellent backup for deer but when the first one always worked I didn't want to risk trying anything new.
I think in terms of what is available .... can I walk into Walmart , not that it's my ammo centre of choice , and pick up a certain box of ammo ... .243 yes tho usually only 100 s. ... ...... .22 .250 yes , not sure of grains available ... .204 can't say I've ever seen them available .
Glen
No doubt there are more offerings (bullet/brand) for .243, .223 but as for availability I have seen .204 everywhere I’ve bought ammo in the last 5-6 years, CT, TSC, BP, Cabelas, all small hunting shops I’ve been in stock .204. Now Walmart I can’t say as it’s not somewhere I buy my ammo.Quote:
Originally Posted by G Skinner
Savage Axis II, in .223 best out of the box shooter, cheap to feed. (I have two Axis's in .223, and 1 in .308) All the caliber mentioned do the job, if you do yours. My factor, was cost to feed and I reload, plus finding good sales on bulk .223 (not 5.56), makes plinking fun. Just the cost factor between 22-250 and .223 should be viewed in store and online, same as .243 (which is a bit harder to find) I only use 50-55 GR V-Max bullets in hand loads. Chest shot 98% of the time never comes out the other side. Gut shot..nasty, this effect is amplified with 22-250 (55gr Vmax), Ultra Nasty. But it kills em dead out to 250M, every time. Both my .223 axis's shoot flat to 150M, so no hold over at this range with mine, at 200M+, I hold over at spine level.
Shooters Choice , in your area have plenty in stock, .204 rifles are now their biggest sellers , according to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by G Skinner
I personally do not shop there , and I would never think of going to Walmart to buy ammo, I have only been in a Walmart store twice , once in Cambridge and once in Brockville.
Most actual gun shops that I have been in all have had a good supply of .204 ammo , due to it's popularity.
I’ve owned and shot multiples of each cal you are looking at. Can’t remember how many 204’s but at least 6.
Each you have listed will work really well for yotes.
I spent a few years messing around almost exclusively with small cal stuff. If you buy a 204 do yourself a favour and pick up a Tikka. I found that savages ( multiple) could not stabilize 40 or 45 grain pills well and the tikka could.
I was able to get the savages to stabilize 39 grain Sierra blitz kings but it was a pain.
A few folks mention the 243 and only using 58 Vmax and I’ll say that the big brother to that pill is an 87 Vmax and from a accuracy point of view it is amazing.
I used a .243 hunting ground hogs for years with great success, back then we used 80 grain ammo (didn't have 58 and 55 grainers). I switched to the 25.06 and love the caliber but if I had to do it over I would have stayed with the .243, especially now that we have 58 or 55 grainers
Quote:
Originally Posted by canadaman30
Canadaman 30, I think you have a good point with the .243. I did a lot of chuck hunting in my younger years and definitely made a good choice with the .243, mounted with a 6X scope. As well I found it suitable for taking fox and European hare. I picked up an 80 grain cast bullet mold for it and had no problem with chucks out to 150 yards. I would later take my first deer with it, using a 100 grain soft point, it was a great gun in open terrain, but proved a bit light for deer hunting in the bush. I found the cartridges easy to reload, initially starting out with a LEE Loader, when I start picking up cartridge fired in other guns, I had to switch to a loading press and dies in order to do full case resizing. I would later find out there was actually full case resizer available that did not require the use of a loading press.
You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut
My go-to for Coyotes is .243Win,but,there's some areas I hunt that need long range and a little more smack down,so,.270Win does the job quite nicely.
Big fan of the .17 hmr myself. A tack driver.
Depends on where u live
Up north ,no such thing as too big a caliber .Noise is not a factor .in the south,.223 will handle any and all scenarios.If you are looking for a specialty caliber that can do it all with less noise,less ricochet,less pelt damage,no muzzle jump or flash,yet shoot flat to 300 and handle any varmint or predator S Ont has to offer from mammals to birds than my number one choice is the .17 remington
.243... Versatile cal.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntnmachine
'Used mine on groundhogs in Ontario as well as Prairie dogs in the US.
'Nothing like smakin' them 'dogs with a 70gr. Hornady V-Max.
Attachment 38894
I bought myself a .204 a few years back and will be retiring it for another soon. It is a go to for me , I love the way it shoots and groups. The only upside to other calibers is offerings of heavier bullets than what's available in factory 204.
A friend of mine has just picked up a savage in .224 Valkyrie and I will be giving it a look as a cabinet companion for the new .204. His rifle is a very well put together, just waiting on some range time.
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check out the .17WSM. exploding water bottles( and Gophers) at 300 yards with a rim fire is impressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEmhl2eQoUw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGusLG8nRVA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTRAhigCtR4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcFreiyGnvc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f-A5hYfi_I
Yes I love my T1 in 17 HMR. Super accurate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh
You are a big fan of new and rare eh, ha ha.Quote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
Centerfire hype is one thing, the rimfire hype scares me. If you can make brass cases to reload then you are going to have no issues shooting it for a long time but new rimfire guns you better stock up on ammo, just in case.
20 cal bullets though, will they go the way of 17 cal bullets or will they hold on? I do not know.
I have never had any issue finding ammo for my .204 or my .17HMR. The Valkyrie would be tough right now but I'm expecting that it will gain a following much like the 6.5 creed, be it a reasonable following or hype remains yet to be discovered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
In a way you are correct though, now that you made me think about it..... 257 Robert's, 257 Wby Mag, 204, 17HMR.... damnit, you win!
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I am with you, 222 Rem, 6.5x55, 8x56R, 410, 16ga, 25 Stevens (making ammo from 17 WSM, he he).Quote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
It is a problem, almost like we find guns that are problems and need a home, 30-06 although a great cartridge is almost boring, too easy to find ammo and to shoot, ha ha.
The 30-06 is prolly the most popular big game cartridge of all time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
One of the most, for sure, That's why I don't want it!Quote:
Originally Posted by canadaman30
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I've recently found a 6.5 Swede too, love that thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Was cleaning out my grandfather's cabinet and found some rounds I haven't seen in a long time and one I didn't know existed. He had quite the collection, 32 Stevens or 32 long rimfire, something roughly equal to the size of a 10 guage but with a brass casing and loaded with a huge lead bullet and one I'd love to try, a 25-25 Stevens.
I'm just not all that interested in what others have, mama always said I was different.
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Good to see you posting again oaknut!Quote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
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Thanks,Quote:
Originally Posted by GW11
It's good to see many of the old faces are still here and quite a few new folks have arrived.
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Why I hate the 270 :DQuote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
I was always told that all the other things were useless, was actually told that the one guy could run faster than a bullet shot from a 30-30 and that a 44 Mag is more powerful than the 12ga slug gun I had during that hunt, ha ha ha.
I have nothing against the 30-06, awesome cartridge but just way too boring.
I actually hunted with the 8x56R, did not see any deer but shot a grouse at 25 yards with the battle sights, felt good about that, head shot too :D.
Fox what is it thats boring about a very versatile cartridge that shoots 120-220grain bullets and everything in between, groundhogs to Grizzly and everything in between boring?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Myself find cartridges that offer 2or so slug weights that are one trick ponies, boring cartridges.
Did I ever say it was not versatile? No. What I wrote was "30-06 although a great cartridge is almost boring", I will shoot 30-06 but I want it loaded with 220gr and 200gr, why? Because I have a gun shooting 180gr, 160gr, 120gr. I have varmint guns and deer guns, I don't need a 30-06 for deer, it is overkill.Quote:
Originally Posted by canadaman30
You were entirely missing the point of the back and forth with oaknut, just leave this well enough alone.