Not long ago there was a big to-do about which was the best cartridge for coyotes in another category. There was one stipulation, he wanted to save the hides. Guys were getting bent out of shape thinking theirs was the best choice to kill a coyote and not blow up the hide. The best choice depends on you and how you hunt. Do you shoot 50 rounds a year, 150, 1500? Do you reload? I would say if you do not shoot a lot then get the 204. It has a little longer range than a 223 and the difference in cost is not going t eat you up. If you shoot a lot then get the 223, much cheaper ammo. That applies if reload but really applies if you do not reload. The throat will last longer too before wearing out. Of course again it depends on if you are going to shoot 100 rounds a year or a lot more. A 204 will last a long time if you shoot 100 times a year and do not machine gun them. You can buy 223 ammo any where. I personally like the 223. I think it is a great cartridge and it will handle any predator up to a wolf or varmint wise this side of 300 yards, maybe further if you shoot a lot. Of course the 204 will do the same and a bit further. If you really want a long range gun in a Handi get a 243. I found that most guys (not all) can not hit too well beyond 300 yards any way. This is due to not shooting enough to really know the rifle, trigger technique stinks, scope problem, etc. or the gun is just not accurate enough to shoot beyond 300 yards. They zero in their rifle at 100 yards and then put it away until spring, then wonder why they can't hit any thing beyond 300 yards and 300 is spotty. I wonder why! As you probably already know either one will work, it depends on your preferences and how much shooting you are going to do. That is why we have so many cartridges to choose from and then some guys do not feel there is any thing that will do what they want so they wildcat something up. Good luck to you.
