For informal target shooting and small varmints out to 400-500 yards which would you choose? Assuming a mid-weight bolt action with a 26" barrel. I was pretty sold on the .223 but the numbers on the .204 have me looking twice. I don't want to get caught up in ballistic charts or go for something new and sexy, just want the best round for my purposes.
The .223 has been around forever, tons of load data, great bullet selection.
The charts say the .204 outperforms the .223 in velocity and energy delivered downrange, what do real-world shooters say?
Which bucks the wind better?
Will mostly be shooting off a bench or bags, not looking to kill coyotes at 500 yards, biggest things I shoot are pds and crows. Just want an accurate round that is economical to reload and can hold up to a little wind.
The .223 has been around forever, tons of load data, great bullet selection.
The charts say the .204 outperforms the .223 in velocity and energy delivered downrange, what do real-world shooters say?
Which bucks the wind better?
Will mostly be shooting off a bench or bags, not looking to kill coyotes at 500 yards, biggest things I shoot are pds and crows. Just want an accurate round that is economical to reload and can hold up to a little wind.