Guest MissouriHunter Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I am still undecided about what varmint rifle to get. I am trying to choose between the 223, 22-250, or the 204. I have looked at ballistics and they are about the same. I thought about going with the 22-250 but I actually like to skin the animals and sell the furs so I didn't know if it would put to big of a hole in the fur. What gun do you think would be the best choice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_70 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! My personal choice would be the .223 with the 22/250 coming in really close behind. All the ones mentioned would serve the purpose and not too much difference between them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sureshot Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! the ,223 will do less damage but your shots will eb limited to about 300 yards, A 22-250 with the right bullet has speed and long range ability but without the right bullet will spit a coyote in 1/2,I have not shot the 204 but hear great things, fast and supposed to be kind to the pelts! just rememebr price of shells also, the .223 is way cheaper! I ahve shot the ,.223 the past 2 winters and shot abotu 250 coyotes with it and its a great gun, just wish i coudl get the extra 100 ayrds or so btu if I get that I will loose out on the nice small holes the .223 make, its whatever you want long range and fast or under 300 yards[still fast] but no damage on most of the hides! I picked the less damage and what really got me going was the cheap shells that shoot awsoem through my gun! Good luck on your decision! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! Not to argue with sureshot but I've shot quite a few with my 250 and very few exit ruining the pelt. When calling a lot are straight chest shots and they blow up when they hit and don't exit at all. I was very concerned about this also and tried a lot of different loads. The smaller hollow points are designed to blow up when they hit and believe me they do! Especially when traveling at 4000 fps. Broadside shots penetrate clear through unless you hit bone, and a spine hit would probably be messy but overall I'm really really happy. The ammo price for 22-250 compared to 223 is negligeable at best. If you reload, the sky is the limit. When I was shopping I thought about the .204 but the guy chuckled a bit (not in a mean way) and said good luck finding ammo. Anyways when it's windy I shoot 52 grn match bullets, when it's not I've been useing 40 grn blitzkings. The results are awesome and I for one am extremely happy I chose the 250. Either way you will be happy but as far as I'm concerned the jury is still out on the 204. I'm sure it's great but the ammo selection for the 223 and the 22-250 is just limitless. If you reload you won't believe the choices you have available to you. Wait till you hear the thump those fast little buggers make when they hit!!! A good hit is just insant. I LOVE that 250!!! I approached the issue by finding the rifle I wanted then choosing the calibre. I wanted the Ruger heavy target. It comes in 223, 22-250, and 220 swift. Either one would have been fine but the 250 was in stock it's the one I brought home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MissouriHunter Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! Yea I might go with the 250 because I want that extra distance but I really don't know how many times I will shoot past 300 yards. I guess I will find out as soon as I start predator hunting. How many times does a hunter really shoot farther than 300 yards while predator hunting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sureshot Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! I can get most within 200 yards, i would say 5-8% will come in and stick back at 300 or more,there are more but you can usually coax them in with a few differtn sounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! [ QUOTE ] I can get most within 200 yards, i would say 5-8% will come in and stick back at 300 or more,there are more but you can usually coax them in with a few differtn sounds! [/ QUOTE ] I don't shoot as many as sureshot but I agree totally. Closest was 20-30 furthest 230ish. My average this year was 170 -180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! i use a .22-250, and if i were to buy another one, it would be a .22-250. you can drive tacks with it, and it is good out to some pretty long ranges! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Re: Still Undecided! You might consider one of the smaller varmint rounds like the 221 Fireball or .22 Hornet. Loaded with FMJ bullets the would cause the least amount of hide damage. Ofcourse any of the cartridges you listed would work well with reduced loads, if you handload your ammo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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