Talk me into/ out of a new Varmint Caliber

[PBking51]

So while being stuck indoors and loading all of my brass I have started thinking I could use a new rifle for informal target and varmint hunting 500 yards and closer. I have a 22-250, 22 hornet and 222. I know very well what the 22-250 can do but I am intrigued by the 204 Ruger or may even slide into a 223 bolt action. I have never bought a "budget rifle" before, but as I truly don't need a new rifle I was thinking about possibly a Savage axis, Howa 1500, Ruger American, or tc venture. Think something in a synthetic stock with minimal upgrades and maybe a voted or Burris 12x scope on top that would likely become a truck gun. I threw in 223 because of how cheap and plentiful brass and bullets, let alone loaded ammo is.i also have a few sets of 223 dies from a Sako I owned years ago.

I am not interested in the 224 Valkyrie or anything not offered in a factory rifle.

I read that the 204 barrel life is pretty good but again, I wouldn't think of sending more than 100-200 rounds a year through this once a load is found.

A reason I would pursue the 204 is the reduced recoil, albeit not terrible from the 22-250, as well as pushing that 4k fps envelope and worrying more about wind drift than hold over.

 

[xswanted]

If your sticking with factory chambers get a 204 for lots of fun on small varmints.

Or look at a 6br from savage for slightly farther out fun!

 

[Bill K]

With the limits set by your statement, you would enjoy and really like the 204 Ruger.

 

[Evan]

204 may change how you look at the 22-250. Less powder, less heat, less muzzle blast and very similar performance.

Given how little you are planning on shooting it, does it make sense to go big and get a 6 creedmoor?

 

[PBking51]

I have a 6.5 creedmore and I should've added I also have a very nice 243 in a tc icon. I don't recall the twist of the 243 but I know it doesn't shoot 50 grain bullets very accurately. I also like the idea of the 22 or 20 cal hole in a coyote or woodchuck or even turkey versus what a 6mm bullet would do.

 

[std7mag]

I've actually heard a lot good on the 6mm-204.
Light recoil, fairly easy to make, much better BC bullet choices that 20 caliber.

 

[Ramblerman]

223 of course

 

[Bully]

If you don't have a .223 bolt gun, you should. For all the reasons you already stated.

 

[Justin B]

Came from a 22_250 don't get me wrong it's a great round but after going 20 practical & 204 I would never go back.

Warning its addictive I now have a safe full of 20 cals

 

[varmintshooter]

You have the 22 cal covered but if you went with a 223 you could use the same bullets you load for 222 and 22-250. If you go 204 it will be an eye opener in a good way. There aren't as many bullet choices for a 204 and most factory guns come with a 12 twist you you will be able to shoot both 32 and 39 grain bullets and that is all you need.

 

[Terry]

I use to take 22-250, 223, and .204.

Now .204 and 20 practical. The 20 practical is a .223 necked down to .204. If I were doing it again, they would all be 20 practical.

 

[Cemetery21]

If I were doing it again, they would all be 20 practical.

Me too (mostly). I avoided 204 since it came out because I thought it made a lot more sense to base it on 223 than on 222 Mag. I shot 223AI, 22-250, 22BR and 223 for over 40 years. Finally built a couple of 20Ps and they come out first.

204 and 223 are fine for the OP's purpose, but if you are going to load everything anyway, good 223 brass is easy.

 

[Oso]

you want to also include Tikka as potential rifle to consider

 

[sundance]

Life is short. Get both the 204 and 223.

 

[jds holler]

The 20 cal. thing has simply become the civilized way to go. Several to choose from, the 204 being the most "off the shelf" option. I waited waayy too long to get rolling with this trend. jd

 

[chuckshooter]

I use to take 22-250, 223, and .204.

Now .204 and 20 practical. The 20 practical is a .223 necked down to .204. If I were doing it again, they would all be 20 practical.

it's been several years since I took anything over a 20 cal in size on a squirrel shoot, now prairie dog shooting is a little different. a 204 shooting a 40 bullet can out perform a 22-250 in drop and wind deflection down range, but a 223 will be cheaper and can still be fun. I agree with sundance buy both.

 

[McFred]

I'd suggest a properly headspaced .223AI even though you said you don't want a chambering that's not offered in a factory rifle, but you can use off-the-shelf .223 Remington ammo and if you reload the fireformed brass then you can get about the same capacity as the .204 Ruger and drive 40gr to 3700+fps at 5.56NATO pressures.

The projectile options for .224 are by far the most abundant and .223 Rem brass is everywhere.

I have a .204 ruger and it's fun, but In my opinion, it's not doing anything inside 300 yards that's not covered by .224" options.

@sundance is right though. Get a .204 and .224 because this is America and you don't have to choose one or the other.

 

[jaytee]

Swift!!

 

[6and7mm]

So while being stuck indoors and loading all of my brass I have started thinking I could use a new rifle for informal target and varmint hunting 500 yards and closer. I have a 22-250, 22 hornet and 222. I know very well what the 22-250 can do but I am intrigued by the 204 Ruger or may even slide into a 223 bolt action. I have never bought a "budget rifle" before, but as I truly don't need a new rifle I was thinking about possibly a Savage axis, Howa 1500, Ruger American, or tc venture. Think something in a synthetic stock with minimal upgrades and maybe a voted or Burris 12x scope on top that would likely become a truck gun. I threw in 223 because of how cheap and plentiful brass and bullets, let alone loaded ammo is.i also have a few sets of 223 dies from a Sako I owned years ago.

I am not interested in the 224 Valkyrie or anything not offered in a factory rifle.

I read that the 204 barrel life is pretty good but again, I wouldn't think of sending more than 100-200 rounds a year through this once a load is found.

A reason I would pursue the 204 is the reduced recoil, albeit not terrible from the 22-250, as well as pushing that 4k fps envelope and worrying more about wind drift than hold over.

Get the 204 in a How's, and go enjoy it 'til the cows come home. It will likely be your favorite when shooting under 400 yds. But don't get rid of your 22-500, as it's the all-time favorite for punch and higher hit probabilities in higher winds. The 204 allows for full follow through after you pull the trigger. And with the 22-250 you will have to spend some extra money to get that benefit.
Good luck and keep having fun!

 

[DOGCAPPER]

.204 factory barrel lasted 2500 rounds in dog town shooting all factory loads. .223 shooting 50 grain sx hornady still good after 5000 rounds. Cleaned it up, switched to 69 grain MK and running 0.3xx to0.6xx at 100 yds.
Rifle was Savage BVSS.