.204 Rug VS. .223

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My 223 & my 204 are both 1:12 twist. I shoot hornady 40 grain vmax out of both. The similarities in the setups are so much that I don't think you could find a better comparison between the two calibers. I will tell you this: the difference in muzzle velocity & performance is imperceptible. Recoil, muzzle blast, & muzzle velocity are all very similar. In addition to all of this, I choose to shoot my 223 most often because I have a ton of once fired brass & the bullets are cheaper.
My suggestion for a varmint rifle would be a slow twist 223 and light bullets if cost per round is a big concern. If its not as much of a concern and muzzle velocity is what you really want, shoot those same 40 grain pills out of a 22-250 and see how that works for you.
 
I've found some things I don't like about the 204. Different size nozzle for powder dumper,you need a whole different cleaning rod than .22, hard to dump extruded powder into cases etc.

I prefer the 223 and it's the workhorse of the pdog town IMO. After a few hundred yards you need to know your dope whatever you shoot so the flatter trajectory doesn't mean much to me.

.223 would be my choice and I own 204,223, and 22-250.
 
I have 2 204s , a 700 VTR and a T/C Pro Hunter. I find them both very touchy in all aspects, bullets, powder , etc. There fun to shoot but so is my 223 SPS and 22-250 T/C. I'd get a 223 if I could only have one needle gun. There easier to load for, cheaper to shoot, don't take special equipment, etc.
No matter which one you choose have fun with it.
 
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If you are going to reload i would suggest the .223 remington. Once fired Brass can be found for next to nothing. Try to get a rifle with a 1 in 12 twist rate if possible i have the 1 in 9 twist and it will shoot close to 1" groups with 55 grainers, but i'm sure the 1 in 12 would do better. Surprisingly i tried the nosler varmegeddon 40 grain hollow points and they will shoot 1/2" groups out of my rifle. And cruise along about 3400 fps.
 
you need a whole different cleaning rod than .22,
Click to expand...

Only took 22 posts before someone remembered this.

You WILL need a .20 cal (or smaller) cleaning rod. Don't forget to buy one (if they have one) if your get a .204. No matter how hard you try, you can't clean a .20 bore with a .22 rod.

Boresnake will work, but I've always thought one should have a rod, just in case. You can't poke/push with a boresnake. :D

I've got .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball, .222Rem, .223 Rem and .22-250, so the .204 never interested me.
 
I like the 204, but then I also like the 223, 223AI 22-250 and the 220 Swift.have [had] them all over the past 25/30 years for PDs once the 40 gr polymer bullet came on the market did bot see much difference in any of them. Did use a 32 gr in the 204 at 4000 ft.
All the pds did what was expected when hit.
Wind is a factor but time to target is also a factor.
223 has an advantage in cost if you do not reload.
 
"...necro-threading at its best..." Nope. There was a 10 year old OP the other day.
The "Hunting with 168 grain Matchking?" post is 10 years old. snicker.
 
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