204 ruger VS 223 ackley

[BCole92]

Looking for some opinions on a new build I’m starting. Looking to have a lightweight walking varmint/predator rifle that matches my custom 280 ackley. Just picked up a defiance anti action heavily discounted with a 223 bolt face. I’m looking to go with a 22” proof carbon barrel. The 204 ruger sticks out for me since I had one years ago and foolishly sold it. I do like the easy button of factory 40gr vmax also. Although seems 204 proof carbon blanks don’t really exist I’ve been quoted up to 12months to order one. So I also have it in my head to keep the Ackley theme going. I have found a 224 proof blank with 1-7 twist but I’m concerned that 53vmax bullets will disintegrate from over spin. 62eldvt,73/75eldm should work but was hoping to keep the speed up. Can anyone recommend going with one over the other for my application?

Thanks.
Brandon

 

[Anchorite]

223 brass is everywhere. That would be my pick….that said, why not 20 Practical if you really want a 20 caliber? Uses 223 brass.

What’s your primary intended target? If it is indeed predators like coyotes, I think you’d be happier with the mass of the 223. I run 62gr bullets in a 1x8 twisted AR and it’s literally the bees knees for coyotes and pigs. My lightweight load is a 53 a max and it’s not a speed demon so no blowups. But it turns lights out to 300 yards, just point and squeeze.

A 223 with 40s inside 300 and I don’t think you can tell the difference with a 32-40 204 pill. YMMV

 

[jpx2rk]

20 Practical if you want a 20 cal, uses 223 brass and basically the same performance as the 204R IMO.

 

[BCole92]

223 brass is everywhere. That would be my pick….that said, why not 20 Practical if you really want a 20 caliber?

What’s your primary intended target? If it is indeed predators like coyotes, I think you’d be happier with the mass of the 223. I run 62gr bullets in a 1x8 twisted AR and it’s literally the bees knees for coyotes and pigs. My lightweight load is a 53 a max and it’s not a speed demon so no blowups. But it turns lights out to 300 yards, just point and squeeze.

A 223 with 40s inside 300 and I don’t think you can tell the difference with a 32-40 204 pill. YMMV

Intended target is going to be woodchucks, raccoons, and coyotes around the farm.

 

[Mark M.]

20 P has my vote

 

[Anchorite]

Intended target is going to be woodchucks, raccoons, and coyotes around the farm.

I run an AR (1x8) now way more than a bolt gun. My all time favorite load is a 55gr (a V max or SP) lit by a moderate load of H322.
Using a Burris Ballistic Plex and sighted for 100yds, the first plex down is 200 and the third is 275. Point and squeeze.

Drops my scrawny south Alabama coyotes. I’d imagine it would do well on coons and woodchucks.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I would also do the 20p for a 20. I had a 204 and brass was impossible to find for a couple years. I sold my 20 and 17 and got a 223ai. Just way more bullets to pick from and when times are tough more likely to find 22 caliber stuff in stock. I don't think varmints will know the difference either way.

 

[K22]

I have two "walking around" rifles although at my age I don't walk around too much anymore. I have shot a lot of groundhogs on the stalk (walking around) with cross sticks. It's my favorite style of hunting but unfortunately, I can't do much of it anymore due to my declining physical condition.

My walking around rifles consists of two Rem Model 7's, 223 Rems with 20" long, No. 2 contour Douglas match barrels, 12" twist with B&C aftermarket stocks. With 50 and 55 grain Nosler bullets these rifles shoot in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa. These rifles are a joy to carry, superbly accurate, fast to deploy.

I don't understand why anyone with want to venture into the Ackley world when the 223 Rem is about as ideal a cartridge for stalking as it gets plus components are readily available and this cartridge is simple to reload. But each to his own.

 

[BCole92]

Appreciate the feedback guys.

Any real world experience with a 1-7 twist 22” barrel on a 223?

 

[Majday]

Appreciate the feedback guys.

Any real world experience with a 1-7 twist 22” barrel on a 223?

My buddy has a proof 22 creed with a 7.5 twist pushing the 53s at 3900. No problems with bullets coming apart. 400ish rounds down it. I believe it's a 22". He loves the lighter weight and 53s on yotes and rock chucks. You should be fine. 75s are 33-3400 I believe he said

 

[Majday]

He also used a regular 223 with a 9tw I believe and 53gr vmax superformance ammo on coyotes and it did him well. I know not a 7tw but I think as seen with the creed you should be fine

 

[Blaster 1]

He also used a regular 223 with a 9tw I believe and 53gr vmax superformance ammo on coyotes and it did him well. I know not a 7tw but I think as seen with the creed you should be fine

Have a223 ackley had 2, 17 rem,Switches to 20 practical own 3 now

 

[Alguapo]

My vote. 20 Prac. I have 2 of them and they are lazers . Hard hitters.

 

[spaniel]

Looking for some opinions on a new build I’m starting. Looking to have a lightweight walking varmint/predator rifle that matches my custom 280 ackley. Just picked up a defiance anti action heavily discounted with a 223 bolt face. I’m looking to go with a 22” proof carbon barrel. The 204 ruger sticks out for me since I had one years ago and foolishly sold it. I do like the easy button of factory 40gr vmax also. Although seems 204 proof carbon blanks don’t really exist I’ve been quoted up to 12months to order one. So I also have it in my head to keep the Ackley theme going. I have found a 224 proof blank with 1-7 twist but I’m concerned that 53vmax bullets will disintegrate from over spin. 62eldvt,73/75eldm should work but was hoping to keep the speed up. Can anyone recommend going with one over the other for my application?

Thanks.
Brandon

I'm not sure why you would stick with the 53 vmax if you have a barrel that will shoot the 62gr vt on a 223AI. I am super disappointed I built my 223AI a year before the 62 came out. It's superior in every way to the 53. The BC advantage more than makes up for the slight speed decrease.

By sheer drop numbers, the 20P pushing 40gr vmax will win almost every contest between 20 and 22cal...I think the 62 would change that but I don't have the numbers. The 223AI might be close with 53s but my 223AI barrel is 20 and my 20P 24in so the 20 wins. Kind of crazy how well the 20 does, even with wind, out to 500 yards.

 

[varmintshooter]

I have several of both. and they both work. If I didn't already have brass and dies for the 204 I would do a 20P instead for reasons stated by others.

 

[RegionRat]

If the OP wants something like a Proof Carbon, the project is going to take some digging since the number of times I have heard of a .20 cal bbl in that style is very rare.

If it has to be a carbon wrapped lightweight barrel, the OP may want to consider the ones like 22-250 or 22 CM if the energy level needs to be higher.

The brass for 22-250 has pushed many to look at the 22 CM running Alpha brass, and those short carbon bbls turned into really nice carry weight varmint rigs.

Just food for thought. Good Luck and in for the range reports!

 

[Oso]

Bartlein offers a carbon fiber wrapped barrel. If I had to wait that long and pay Proof’s premium pricing then I’d go Bartlein for a superior product.

 

[BCole92]

Again appreciate everyone’s help. The 204 ruger is how I’m leaning. I have been looking for a week and I believe I found a proof carbon 204 barrel blank. Will know for sure tomorrow. The 204 ruger with factory 40gr vmax hopefully is the easy button.

 

[BCole92]

If the OP wants something like a Proof Carbon, the project is going to take some digging since the number of times I have heard of a .20 cal bbl in that style is very rare.

If it has to be a carbon wrapped lightweight barrel, the OP may want to consider the ones like 22-250 or 22 CM if the energy level needs to be higher.

The brass for 22-250 has pushed many to look at the 22 CM running Alpha brass, and those short carbon bbls turned into really nice carry weight varmint rigs.

Just food for thought. Good Luck and in for the range reports!

I was considering swapping the bolt out to do a 22-250 or 22creed, but spending extra funds on that defeats the purpose of getting a deal on the action. Plus I’m pretty sure I found a barrel. Thanks

 

[Tommie]

For something to pop varmints around the property just hit the easy button with a straight 223