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Old March 8, 2013, 02:44 PM   #26
mackillan
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Ruger 204

Sometimes though you want that extra the 22-250 brings
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Old March 8, 2013, 03:41 PM   #27
L_Killkenny
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Lot's of crazy information floating around this thread about the .204 and Coyotes. 30gr bullets? 400 yards?

Look the .204 is basically a varmint gun. Low recoil, little less noise and flat trajectory make it so it excels sitting over a prairie dog town. It's also perfectly acceptable for coyotes and other predators. But the 30-32 gr varmint bullets are too light in construction and the little pills run outta thump pretty fast. Best to stick with the 35-40 gr bullets (Bergers) and shots out to 250 yards. If you need to shoot coyotes beyond that range you're into .22-250 and .243 territory.
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Old March 8, 2013, 09:44 PM   #28
Brian Pfleuger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by L_Killkenny
Lot's of crazy information floating around this thread
Your post being the craziest, coming after the photos posted by ATCDoktor.

I suppose it's the same argument that people don't think a .243 isn't enough for elk, or even deer.

Every animal is nuclear-powered now, you can't kill e'm easy like in the old days.
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Old March 8, 2013, 11:03 PM   #29
L_Killkenny
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Quote:
Your post being the craziest, coming after the photos posted by ATCDoktor.
Did you even read my post or just the first line? How is saying the .204 is "perfectly acceptable" for coyotes crazy or contradictory? I just don't make false statements about what it's good for or what good bullets are.

To take your references about .243 and Elk........ Saying any of the 30gr offerings are good for coyote is akin to saying a 65gr. .243 vmax is good for Elk. Saying a .204 is a good long range yote gun is like saying a .243 is a good long range elk gun (and no, 250 yards is not long range).
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Old March 14, 2013, 11:36 AM   #30
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204 vs 22-250 vs ?

I have never shot either 204 or 22-250. How does the recoil compare to 223, 243, or 270?

I'm looking at a choice between 243 and 22-250 for some expensive plinking in the 300 to 500 yard range. Curious about the 22-250, but now also interested in 204.

Shot 243 a lot before trading for a 270 20 years ago....looking to move back to 243, but experimenting with something different might be fun.
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Old March 14, 2013, 01:53 PM   #31
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The .204 is good on paper out to 500yds out of a Ruger No. 1.

That's the limit of my personal experience with the cartridge. It was really really fun.
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Old March 14, 2013, 02:56 PM   #32
Brian Pfleuger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elDiabloLoco
I have never shot either 204 or 22-250. How does the recoil compare to 223, 243, or 270?

I'm looking at a choice between 243 and 22-250 for some expensive plinking in the 300 to 500 yard range. Curious about the 22-250, but now also interested in 204.

Shot 243 a lot before trading for a 270 20 years ago....looking to move back to 243, but experimenting with something different might be fun.
.270 has enough recoil that many folks will find it uncomfortable after a while. Far too much recoil to see bullet impact through a scope.

.243 recoil is low enough that virtually no one will be bothered by it except the youngest of children and/or extremely small framed adults. Still too much recoil to see bullet impact except at very long range or with very heavy guns.

.22-250 has low enough recoil that no one could reasonably be bothered by it in any gun with a "normal" weight. Still too much recoil to see bullet impact except at lower-magnification and longer ranges.

.204 Ruger has virtually no recoil. In a gun with a reasonably heavy varmint scope and a bi-pod, the crosshairs barely wiggle off target even at high-magnification. Bullet impact is easy to see almost always.
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Old March 14, 2013, 09:37 PM   #33
elDiabloLoco
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Thanks "Peetza"! Food for thought. Getting too old here for the heavy stuff. In the end it may come down to the nicest wood.
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Old March 14, 2013, 10:39 PM   #34
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I have two .204's: a CZ 527 Varmint and a Remington 700 VLS.

Both shoot 32, 39, and 40 grainers lights out, as in, under and 3/4 inch consistently, and sub .5 routinely if I do my part. My experience is based in a few thousand rounds sent down range on paper, at critters, and in Colorado and Wyoming elevation and WIND.

I shoot TAC (a Ramshot powder) exclusively, both of my guns love it.

On paper, external ballistics show that the .204 can (with the right powder and bullets) shoot flatter than a 22-250, ESPECIALLY in wind. In practice, both of my rifles also prove this out. This is one common misconception of the .204 - that it under performs in the wind. Fact is, it's great in the wind because it shoots so fast and as another poster pointed out, it's got a good BC for the bullet weight. People love to dispute this, but it's fact.

I load my CZ sometimes with Trailboss. Mimics a 5MM rimfire - almost ZERO noise and zero recoil, and I can shoot for less than the price of 17 HMR ammo.

I've also yet to retire a piece of .204 brass (10 or more reloads on some of the brass).

Lots of reasons why my 22-250 sits in the safe and pouts when I take my .204s hunting..............again.

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