.223 or .204
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liltank
Well-Known Member
Grain for grain, the 204 is going to out shoot the .223. A forty grain .204 has a higher BC than a .223. It will shoot flatter and faster. The .204 would be my choice in a small bore IMHO.
Tank
Tank
I have never shot a 204 - so I can not offer an opinion on that cartridge.
I just got back form a PD Shoot in SE Wyo. I shoot a Rem M700VS in 223. My load was as follows: Brass - Surplus Mil LC 223, Bullets - Remington Bulk 50gr HP's (bought a box of 2000), Primers - Rem Benchrest primers, Powder - Hogdon Benchmark (25.5 grs).
We had little or no difficulty taking PD's down at 400 yds with our M700 Varmint Specials, as both rifles shot 0.25 moa with the above load.
Not sure what price the 204 bullets are, but I do not think you can get them for the cost of a bulk purchase box of 2000 bullets. When you go thru about 250 rds per day on a good dog town, the cost ammo begins to match the cost of gasoline (or deisel). After the first 100 dogs you will have the "english" figured out for all shots out to 400yds.
When I saw the numbers on the new 204 they were very appealing. But I chose to stick with the cheap to shoot 223.
Once again I have no experience with the 204, it does have a very good reputation and it would serve you well too.
I just got back form a PD Shoot in SE Wyo. I shoot a Rem M700VS in 223. My load was as follows: Brass - Surplus Mil LC 223, Bullets - Remington Bulk 50gr HP's (bought a box of 2000), Primers - Rem Benchrest primers, Powder - Hogdon Benchmark (25.5 grs).
We had little or no difficulty taking PD's down at 400 yds with our M700 Varmint Specials, as both rifles shot 0.25 moa with the above load.
Not sure what price the 204 bullets are, but I do not think you can get them for the cost of a bulk purchase box of 2000 bullets. When you go thru about 250 rds per day on a good dog town, the cost ammo begins to match the cost of gasoline (or deisel). After the first 100 dogs you will have the "english" figured out for all shots out to 400yds.
When I saw the numbers on the new 204 they were very appealing. But I chose to stick with the cheap to shoot 223.
Once again I have no experience with the 204, it does have a very good reputation and it would serve you well too.
long range dogr
Well-Known Member
At the distance you mentioned i'd say the 204. But a 223 will also perform beutifully at that range.gun)
This is what it cost me for reloading components for 1800 rds of 223 ammo.
2000 Rem 50gr HP bulk bullets $281.67
2000 Rem Benchrest Primers $60.00
2000 Mil Surplus Brass $222.50
8 lbs of Hodgdon Benchmark Powder $125.00
For a total cost of components was $689.17
I saved a lot of money by going with the bulk bullets and the surplus brass. It would have cost double for major brand bullets (Hornady, Sierra, Nosler and etc). Same goes for the brass.
I have to be honest - I had my doubts about the Remington Bullets but I had reviewed some reports regarding them and they we very favorable. Seeing one PD launch after another after being hit at 300 yds sold me on them convinced me I lost nothing by going cheap.
Just my two cents,
2000 Rem 50gr HP bulk bullets $281.67
2000 Rem Benchrest Primers $60.00
2000 Mil Surplus Brass $222.50
8 lbs of Hodgdon Benchmark Powder $125.00
For a total cost of components was $689.17
I saved a lot of money by going with the bulk bullets and the surplus brass. It would have cost double for major brand bullets (Hornady, Sierra, Nosler and etc). Same goes for the brass.
I have to be honest - I had my doubts about the Remington Bullets but I had reviewed some reports regarding them and they we very favorable. Seeing one PD launch after another after being hit at 300 yds sold me on them convinced me I lost nothing by going cheap.
Just my two cents,
I ran some numbers a while ago with pointblank to calculate wind drift of various PD loads at 400 yards. Here are the results:
Bullet Weight/Type BC Cartridge Name Velocity 400 yd 10 MPH wind Drift
39gr Sierra Blitzking 0.287 .204 Ruger 3750 11.5"
40gr Hornady Vmax 0.275 .204 Ruger 3900 11.5"
40gr Nosler BT 0.239 .204 Ruger 3750 14.3"
40gr Sierra Blitzking 0.196 .223 Rem 3700 18.6"
40gr Hornady Vmax 0.200 .223 Rem 3700 18.2"
40gr Nosler BT 0.221 .223 Rem 3700 16.0"
40gr Sierra Blitzking 0.196 .220 Swift 4250 15.6"
40gr Hornady Vmax 0.200 .220 Swift 4250 15.2"
40gr Nosler BT 0.221 .220 Swift 4250 13.5"
40gr Sierra Blitzking 0.196 .22-250 Rem 4150 16.1"
40gr Nosler BT 0.221 .22-250 Rem 4150 13.9"
40gr Hornady Vmax 0.200 .22-250 Rem 4150 15.7"
55gr Sierra Blitzking 0.237 .22-250 Rem 3680 14.8"
55gr Nosler BT 0.267 .22-250 Rem 3680 12.8"
As you can see, the .204 really shines (the 3900 fps 40 gr vmax is from the Hornady factor ammo).
These are the ballistics of my load used in Wyo 2 weeks ago.
50gr Rem Core Loc HP 0.188 223 Rem 3400 fps 10mph wind @ 400 yds 28.9".
I did have to exercise a measure of marksmanship to make my 400+ yd hits. Interesting when you read those ballistics numbers above.
Don
50gr Rem Core Loc HP 0.188 223 Rem 3400 fps 10mph wind @ 400 yds 28.9".
I did have to exercise a measure of marksmanship to make my 400+ yd hits. Interesting when you read those ballistics numbers above.
Don
BRuger
Member
Definitely the .204 is the round you should use. I have a Ruger #1 in .204 and it is an absolute tack driver. I load the Hornady 49gr V-MAX at 3900 fps and it is devastating on any critter under 60 lbs. It absolutely hammers the smaller critters and as posted above it is relatively immune to wind drift under 200 yards. I have not had this bullet fail to completely destroy varmints and have fired over a thousand rounds. The few 'Yotes that I tangled with were anchored with a single shot, none more than 300 yards out. The Hornady ballistic tip V-MAX are outstanding bullets and you will be very happy with the .204 round
