Favorite caliber

[khovis33]

I’m stuck between a 204 and my go to 223. I am in PA looking to shoot coyotes or foxes only. Had some luck with my 223 but heard great things about a 204 as well. Any advice? All my shots are under 400 yds

 

[Dirtbag]

The .204 will shoot flatter to 400, but will have more wind drift. Terminally, both will work well, but in my experience when using the .204 with ballistics tips, they tend to be explosive, so keep that in mind.

 

[B23]

Are you shooting factor ammo or loading your own?

If you're shooting factory ammo not only is the bullet selections for the 204 extremely limited but just finding 204 Ruger ammo is extremely difficult.

Ballistically speaking some of the 20 cal bullets, when comparing them to equal weight 22 cal bullets, particularly tipped bullets like the Vmax, the 204 has the advantage.

But, when you compare the numbers with a bullet like the Berger 35gr, which a lot of coyote hunters use, to a 40gr 22 cal bullet that ballistic advantage the 204 had is suddenly nullified.

I like 20 cals and I've had a couple 204's in fact I just mounted a scope on my Tikka 204 last week but if I was going to pick between only having one or the other, I'll take the 223 every time. If you already have a good shooting 223 and you've got the itch for a new rifle go for it and get yourself one but I suggest finding some 204 ammo or if you reload some 204 brass first or you'll have a new gun and nothing to shoot in it because both 204 ammo and brass has been very hard to find for some time now.

 

[Rambler]

.224"

 

[Split toe]

I love my 22 creedmoor

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'm keeping a lookout locally for a .22 Hornet, 221 Fireball or a .222.

 

[Northpark]

.223/5.56 mostly because I Primarily Hunt with a AR for predators. but I’ve been itching for a .22-250ai or .22-243ai with a fast twist barrel lately.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I’m stuck between a 204 and my go to 223. I am in PA looking to shoot coyotes or foxes only. Had some luck with my 223 but heard great things about a 204 as well. Any advice? All my shots are under 400 yds

I went from a 223 to a 204. After having the wind blow the bullet around, I went to a 6mm cm.

 

[COhnter]

204 if the wind isn't blowing, and the 223 if it is. Depends a lot on where i'm calling as well but the old 222 gets the nod now and then

 

[Sykes]

The 204 with a 35 gr berger is sweet. I've got a savage bolt gun that I've killed coyotes with to 400 yards. Good fur friendly bullet. And new this year I got a Rock River 204 ruger that I use with my thermal. Man that little bullet knocks thier lights out quick.

 

[Kheimann]

I got a ruger American predator in .204 pushing 35 grain Bergers and it’s sweet. Sub .50 MOA groups. DRT coyotes. But definitely loses a lot of its steam out past 400yards. And coyotes past 300 Id think twice about. That being said on a flat calm day we were able to ring steel at 630yards with it, with barley enough energy left to move the target. The cartridge just shoots. But if you were dealing with a lot of wind going to something heavier might be the ticket.

 

[JBrotzler]

58 gr vmax - .243 caliber

Pick whatever 6mm caliber you like to push it. Great bullet for coyotes - bit tough on fox tho.

40 gr 204 maxes work well - just avoid shoulders.

 

[mbania]

I love my 22-250 pushing 52 grain AMAX. They are devastating on coyotes but easy on the pelts.

 

[khovis33]

Thank you did the replies. Reason I said 204 or 223 is I have both Maybe play around with32g or40g

 

[SuperDUECE22]

if you already have both & like AR's you might as well add the .224 Valkryie to your collection

 

[WMDM]

I keep experimenting and keep coming back to the good old 243 Win. Way better past 200 yards imo. I shot 68 last year with factory Hornady Superformance 58 grain VMax, Winchester 58 grain varmint X and 70 grain Dogtown. They are not bad on pelts if you stay off the edges and hold off on quartering shots.

Best part is there's no tracking which is priceless when there's deep snow and it's brutal cold! Downside is you'll start stoning them further and further out and still end up dragging em a long way lol. Good luck with your decision and finding ammo/components. This shortage is so not fun.

 

[lennywd87]

@Northpark I’ve heard the 22cm has wider accuracy nodes so, it would be more forgiving when loading than the 22-250AI and 22-243AI (middlestead) are also super finicky to get grouping right. I don’t have a 22cm but looked hard at the 22-243 middlestead as I already have a .243AI and could just neck down brass formed for the .243ai.

 

[lennywd87]

@khovis33 I have a little 17Rem shooting 25gr vmax I neck down .204 brass to get by with in times like these and at 300 and in it folds up coyotes and fox. I can’t tell where the bullet entered half the time and no exit, barely blood to show most times.

I have both .204 and .223 and I’ll say this, you’ll feel a lot better about dumping .223 brass on snow covered ground than a .204. But, I suppose that’s why they sell brass catchers.


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[STAGHOUND]

Seen both in action I'd say the 204.

 

[HuntingAddiction647]

i like 223