.204 vs. .223

head2h2o · #1 07-15-2009, 04:26 PM

I have been trying to decide between a .204 Ruger and .223 Remington. I think the longest distance that I want to try to get to with either of these rounds is 600 yds. I want to know what your experience with both of these rounds is. Which one is better suited to take small game, say nothing larger than a bobcat / fox? I have read much of the info on the internet, but I want to know what everyone's real experience with the .204 is compared to the .223. Is it worth moving away from the common .223?

linksmechanic · #2 07-15-2009, 08:51 PM

Well, for starters it shoots a 40 grain bullet a 3800 fps, that was enough for me. It's devastating on coyotes. It uses less powder. bullet are about the same price. Brass is cheap. Loaded ammo is more expensive. Honestly I have seen more brass lately for the 204 than the 223. It's just a way flatter cartridge. It's also kind of unique. I say go for the .204

bowhunthard · #3 07-16-2009, 09:18 AM

It depends on what you seriously want to do. Is it 600 yds. and under, or 600+ yds. A .223 with a fast twist, geared towards high BC bullets such as 69+ gr. will outshoot a .204 at extended ranges due to less wind drift. The heaviest bullet for the .204 in a factory loading is the 45 gr. SP. The .223 will have much more drop than the .204, but much less drift at extended ranges due to a high BC. Drop is relatively easy to predict, but wind drift is less static due to the unpredictability of the wind over the course of the bullet. At least under hunting conditions (no wind flags). The .204 has a flatter trajectory and more "splat" efect though.

Good luck with your choice... On second thought, why not buy both lol

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long range dogr · #4 07-16-2009, 06:55 PM

I have both.And honestly i'd lean towards the 204.It'll buck the wind suprisingly good with the little 32gr or 39gr pills.But i would also not count out a fast twist 223.

Or you could get a 1/9 or a 1/7 twist 223 and have it rechambered to an Ackley improved.

linksmechanic · #5 07-17-2009, 01:29 AM

Huh? 600 and less? I've shot the .204 up to 750 with good results. I can hit a 630 piece of steel with it while yawning. This with a decent wind. If I had more money I would build a fast twist .204 and shoot the berger 50's. Now that would be a piece of work.

bowhunthard · #6 07-17-2009, 08:29 AM

Not to start an argument lol

. But... did you read the article about shooting a fast twist .223 a mile on this site? He was keeping it at about 12" or less.

MachV · #7 07-17-2009, 03:34 PM

After a couple of years of shooting a pair of 204's and many years with the 223 @ prairie dogs I'd give the edge to the 204 inside of 400 yards and the 223 useing the 70+ grainers beyond 400 yards. In general the 204's seam to need cleaning more often and have been harder to tune a load for than the 223's.
Based on my eperience if linksmechanic could yawn shooting the 204 past 600 yards in the wind he could yawn and fart with the 223 dialed to shoot the 75Amax.