.204 vs .223 vs. .22-250

[ElWhompo]

Interested in a varmit caliber. I currently have a T/C Pro Hunter in .270 but want to get a new barrell in one of the above.

Pros/Cons?

I've checked ballistics which are marginally similar, but would like some opinions from those with hands on knowledge.

Thanks.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

The 22-250 will give you the widest range of loads.

[stxhunter]

I will be watching this post myself. I want a dedicated predator rifle and so far I'm leaning towards the 22-250 in the savage model 10 predator. The 22-250 is very flat shooting and can really reach out there. It seems like the 204 might be a tad light for yotes, from what I have read. Not saying it can't kill them, and don't want to open that can of worms! The 223 would be the cheapest to shoot for target etc.

[ladrones]

Are you going to be saving fur? If so the 204 might be the way to go out of those 3 choices.

[hntndawg]

22-250 is one heck of a good varmint gun, AND not a bad deer gun also One heck of an all around round.

[R&R Ranch]

I shoot 22-250 & 204 in TC. However, I'm more partial to my 22-250. I shoot deer, hogs, bobcats, yotes, turkeys, etc. no problem w/takedown or holes for mounting.

[leebtattoos]

do you care if the fur is ruined? if you are, dont use the 22-250. as much as i love that gun, it will destroy most small varmints. i'll put it this way; i shot a dow at about 80 yds with my 22-250 and it blew out her spinal cord. i mean nothing left. if that where a nice fox or bobcat, i would have to get a head mount only. just my .02

[Tmag]

I too am interested in this one. They had a .204 in the mix on the 5 gun drawing last week at DU and my cousin won 1st pick. Took the .204 and old me it was a fine shooting varmit gun. He already had one at the thouse and took this one over a 30-06, 2-12 ga, and a Ruger 22.

[Tommyh]

the ammo for 22-250 and 223 are the same price at academy so i dont think that is an issue. 204 is supposed to be an awesome round for little to no wind, but cant buck it like the 22-250, and 22-250 has the best downrange ballistics of the three. Bench rest shooters that i have talked to would shoot the 204 more if it could handle wind better.

[elhefe]

I have the .22-.250 barrel on my Encore right now. Love that caliber and gun combo. I have killed 5-6 deer with it and one big ol' Turkey, 11 inch beard! I've only hit them in the neck and they fell like a ton of bricks. Yardage on the kills was 50-250 yards. The turkey was 250 right where the head and neck meet. Dropped dead immediately, that is not bragging though because I think I was more surprised then the turkey was when I hit it. The .22-.250 is one seriously bad round. The neck shots on the deer were pretty nasty on exit. I shoot the Hornady 55 grain v-max. Groups great and I love it.

[Artos]

it depends on the application...

or the application of your particular hunting.

If you are going for yotes w/ just a few rounds a day, then get the downrange energy of the 22-250 (personally, I would use the .220 swift if that bbl was available)

If you plan on shooting many rounds per day for groundhogs / jackrabbits then to me it would be a toss up between the .204 & .223.

I like the .204 better if you reload due to the limited available ammo (if you travel to shoot) but you'll need a new cleaning rod to take into consideration. It has zero recoil and you can see your hits and has really good ballistics. It's a new hero for the guys who shoot in the dogtowns.

The .223 is good too and has so many options for factory ammo, you just can't go wrong and would be the cheapest to shoot if factory BULK ammo purchases were a factor.

[Hawkins]

i shoot a 22-250, I reload with 50gr sierra blitzkings and never had an exit. I have shot deer, hogs, coyotes, bobcats and fox. That is my favorite varmint caliber.

[cantexduck]

.22-.250, hands down. You can get all ranges of bullet weights.

[Mike D]

Another vote for the 22-250. I love my 22-250 Encore. It has proven to be very deadly on everything from varmints to deer to hogs up to 300#.

I like the .204, but it won't carry the energy like the 22-250.

[firewoody]

i love my 220 swift. i know it's not on the list but, just thought i'd throw it out there.