.204 Vs 22-250

TOSS UP although a lot of people have made the .204 popular I still love the 22-250 great cartridge.

I have shot the .204 a bit in several different rifles and it's performance is great but if you already have
a 22-250 you do not need the .204 unless you just want another rifle.

I don't have either right now. I have the .223 WSSM and I am not very fond of it at all. I am going to get rid of it and get either a .204 or 22-250.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.204_Ruger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22-250_Remington
Obviously the 22-250 offers about 10% more diameter and therefore more bullet options, moreover ballistically speaking also there is not much of a comparison, is there? The largest (one shown here) 204 at 45 gr is 3,625 f/s while the 22-250's smallest bullet at 50 gr is another 10% heavier, 18% faster and about 20% more energy creating flatter trajectory (assuming the speed/energy makes up for more weight) and theoretically more kills/accurate shooting. I will also guess that 22-250 ammo is more economical ( 204 at Cabelas $180 for 200 bulk and 22-250 260 rounds for $189 so, about 20% less $ for ammo) with more options available??? Take that as me simply looking at the charts w/o ever having shot one, which is certainly worth something, but book wise I do not see any advantage to the 204. There certainly are a lot of fans out there, what do you guys say?

If your shots are going to be 400yds and closer, run with the .204 in .32gr Hornady factory ammo, you won't be disappointed. That bullet, factory loaded is doing 4225 fps and shoots as flat as a lazer beam!
I have had mine now for a year and it amazes me everytime i take it out. :not-worthy
Everything i put the crosshairs on, dies and is hardly even a challenge. =D>

There is NO need to worry about knockdown on a coyote, the .204 in the .32gr has PLENTY!!
If you go any heavier with the .204, you might as well run with a .223. =;

But like mentioned above....if you already have a 22-250, you have the best of both worlds. =D>
But not one that's better than the other.

22-250 cal. hands down. As for the 204 its good for the smaller critters but the coyote needs the 22-250. The 22-250 has A better variety of bullet weights also.

Having owned both, but one found another home. The 204 will find its place in the world, it is flat, it’s fast, and it’s affected by the wind. I believe it will work great on group squirrels, and other smaller animals, can work on dogs, but when the wind picks ups, you will get a lot of drift (I mean a lot of drift 10-15 inches @ 200 yds, same wind 2-4 with the heavy .22 bullets). The 22-250 is still in the safe.

Best of luck
M. Bird

I agree with skull crazy. Both are very good rounds. The .223 is my favorite for coyotes but i live in utah where its not flat and the 99% of my dogs are shot within 100yds so wind drift isn't a huge issue. Any of those calibers will take down a coyote as long as you can hit them in the right spot. I have shot coyotes with my .243 and hit them hard and still had them get away. Personally if i lived in Nebraska, because of the longer distances and the wind does tend to blow a bit out there i would go with something heavier such as the .243.

I guess the bottom line is whatever you choose you need to really get out and shoot it and learn the in's and out's of it so you no what it's gonna do. just my 2 cents.

L2E, I am shopping this very same question. What don't you like about the .223WSSM?

I just can't get it to shoot worth a darn. I've switched bullet weights too and the 65's shoot better, but I didn't buy the gun to shoot 65's. I am not a world class rifleman, but I want my groups tight, and this cartridge is just not doing it for me. It's also my first Browning rifle, that might be it too. But the combination of the two is almost worthless to me. I have been shooting for 20 years and have never had such an inaccurate round/rifle. Even my Mini-14 ranch rifle shoots better and you can't hit the broadside of a barn with it unless you are inside of the damn thing. I took a luepold scope back thinking that was the problem. I've taken it to a gunsmith and he says he can see nothing wrong with it whatsoever. I love Browning shotguns(I have 4) but will never purchase another Browning rifle.....Ever

I also want something with more options on ammo than just 3

I have never personally shot the .204 but used a buddies 22-250 quite a bit in the desert in Arizona. It was just a remington 700 bdl no heavy barrel stuff but that thing was surgical! From looking at the charts there are very few differences but I do beleive that wind would be a factor with the .204. (just assuming of course)
Also as far as the browning 223 WSM. I have never shot the 223 wsm but I do hunt with a Browning A-Bolt chambered in .300 WSM and it shoots very tight groups out to 450 yds. I do know from doing alot of long range shooting competitions and messing around with different bullets with my custom rifle that the weight and style of bullet you shoot can be affect more that you think about the twist of your barrel. For example with my .243 Remington 700 if I shoot any 100 gr. bullet out of it, it is very accurate. If I try and shoot that 110 gr. or 90 gr. bullet out of it my shot groups expand about 2 inches. That is just something to think about but again I have never shot the .223 WSM or the .204. Good luck on your decision. I'm sure you will like whatever you get next.

Go trade your browning in for a CZ. You won't regret it. Or a Tikka, they are awesome also.

i like the 22-250 but i think the 223 is the best for cayotes

Well i have both. I like the .204 because its light bullet goes so fast, 40 grain bullet going 3,800 fps is fast! But like mentioned earlier a .22-250 is better for a yote because the .204 is just a little smaller... Nothin a Barnes varmit grenade wont stop :thumb but if i had to tell you what to get and IF it was just for coyotes i would say a .22-250, plus go to any outdoor shooting range and you will probably find a bunch of brass someone just left there after shooting... That stuffs like gold! But if you want a gun for coyotes and stuff smaller, i.e. Fox or maybe skunks and just plinkin and stuff like that, go with the .204 and just reload your own creations, thats what i did, but i still have both guns so its like double fun for me :)

I have had both calibers allready and if I had to choose between the two of them it would be the 22-250.If your not dead set on that VTR you might think about a 220 swift.That is my go to varmit rifle,by far faster, flatter, andless drift than both of them.I am loading them with accurate powder and a 45 nosler bt and getting just over 4500 fps.That VTR is a great rifle very accurate and comfortable to shoot.I have it in the 308.

22.250

the beauty of the 204 is it has little recoil,so your eye never leaves the scope after shot so you can watch and see if it hits the target. at least with mine anyway... ive shot critters 4-500 yards. i love it! although all other calibers listed are great as well! i love my 223 as well ammo is cheaper and you still get great ballistics outta it.
i know several people that swear by a 22-250 for a deer rifle. watched antelope drop to the 223 for long distances. a 243 is a good choice also you can get 55 gr bullets and shoot just under 4000fps and very flat shooting.