Author Topic: Looking for plinking/varmint caliber...thoughts? (Read 1172 times)

Selmer · « **on:** October 04, 2006, 09:36:48 AM »

I'm pining for something that doesn't abuse the shoulder, I can witness impacts, is accurate out to 250-300 yds (flat-shooting). I have a .243 now that I'm have a hard time getting light (55-75 gr.) bullets to group well, and it's a little more than I want for recoil in a long-range plinker. I'm thinking of something along the lines of a .17 Rem or .223, possibly one of the .20 cal offerings. I handload everything I shoot, so the handloading isn't an issue, but I don't want the initial start-up cost of loading a new caliber to be outlandish. I'm talking about dies, brass, and components. Let me know your experiences and recommendations, and then I'll put the .243 barrel on the trading block.
Selmer

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2006, 09:59:39 AM »

A factory .204 Ruger barrel may be just the ticket. Several guys have them...I have one in a Contender.....and mine is very very accurate. Not abusive, you can watch your hits, loading dies and such are priced like any other standard offering, not many chamberings that shoot flatter and whats not to like.

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2006, 10:19:27 AM »

Quote from: skb2706 on October 04, 2006, 09:59:39 AM

A factory .204 Ruger barrel may be just the ticket. Several guys have them...I have one in a Contender.....and mine is very very accurate. Not abusive, you can watch your hits, loading dies and such are priced like any other standard offering, not many chamberings that shoot flatter and whats not to like.

Just what I was going to recommend.

kudzu · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2006, 10:44:49 AM »

Get a 22-250 and run circles around the 204

coopershooter · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2006, 11:24:00 AM »

i have a 21in. barrel in .22 k-hornet that i like alot!it shoots 3/4 inch groups and this is all good for a 250 yard cartrige. i also have a 23in. .204 ruger barrel that i havn't even shot yet. it's supposed to be the ticket for the type of shooting your talking about.
i also am a big fan of the 22-250 but it's alot more recoil! and you cant see your shots in the scope.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2006, 03:36:11 PM »

Selmer,

I'll be the first to put a vote in for the .223 cartridge. I've had one for about a year now (got it new from Midway-a T\C factory). I load a Nosler 40gr, 50gr, & 55gr bullet over max loads of BL-C2.

Now, for groundhogs the 40 grain is just awsome all the way out to 400 yards. The bullet shoots flat out to 200 yards, then from 200 to 300 yards it drops 4", then from 300 to 400 yards it drops another 4".

The 22-250 has roughly a velocity of 300 fps greater for each bullet weight vs the 223. Also, the 22-250 takes roughly 10 grains of powder per case more to acheive that 300 fps additional velocity.

Since you are buying the powder, you can do the math on the cost.

My 223 has a Leupold 4-14X VX-III 50mm scope mounted on it. It's one of my favorite guns for the summer and for plinking at paper at 200 yards.

That's my vote and my reasons.

Dave.

Selmer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2006, 05:10:33 AM »

How bad is the brass cost on the .204 Ruger option?
Selmer

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2006, 06:37:41 AM »

Here are a list of brass for the 204 and 223 to compare with .

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=1&Categoryid=10768&categorystring=9315***652***670***9013***

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=1&Categoryid=7357&categorystring=9315***652***670***9013***

This may help .

skb2706 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2006, 06:56:03 AM »

Considering that the cost of brass.....no matter what it is, has to be calculated based on number of times used and useful life. The difference is miniscule.
Depending on your shooting needs "running circles around the .204" may or may not be needed. For your known requirements its not likely.

Selmer · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2006, 09:32:02 AM »

I'm not looking to run circles around a .204, if I wanted to do that, I'd stick with my .243, it will outrun a .22-250 with a 55 gr. BT and then crossover to big game with a good 100 gr. Partition. I want a cartridge around the .223/.204 size for target shooting and plinking with a "see the impact" recoil.
Selmer

skb2706 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2006, 03:54:57 AM »

.204................

Chuck White · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2006, 02:40:01 PM »

Selmer
The 204 Ruger will really impress you!
I have a 26 inch barrel on my Encore and from a good rest it will print 1/4 inch groups!
I know that you will see hits out to 250 yards!
I did hit a yote last winter at just over 400 yards, it was an angle hit and he didn't drop right away, but he didn't make it home either.
I shot 2 yotes early this spring. The first one was 100 yards, hit right in the neck, just forward of the shoulder at an angle! To be honest, I saw the hit, I blinked and I didn't see him fall.
The other one went down in a heap right away, he was about 200 yards out!

This is the most accurate rifle/cartridge combo I've ever shot!

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** October 08, 2006, 03:12:28 PM »

Chuck,

If you think your 204 is accurate on coyotes 'cause you whacked one at 200 yards, then you really ought to shoot my Contender .223.

'Cause when I whacked that ground hog at 325 yards and it dropped like a rock.....accuracy is the word!

Groundhogs are a lot smaller than the coyotes. If you want to shoot coyotes, load up the 223 with a 50 or a 55 grain bullet.

But then, that's just what I think.

Dave.

Chuck White · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2006, 05:13:38 AM »

Davemuzz
I had a 223 Rem that I'd put up against some of the best target rifles out there!
I sold it to my brother. This is the Rem M-788, so I do know what accuracy is!
I used to shoot PD's at well over 300 yards with it, with 55 grain Hornady's!
Now I have a 223 in Rem M-7, not as accurate as the 788, but it's pretty good.

My 204 has a little better accuracy than the 223 (the one I had) has, but I like the speed too, without the recoil and bang!
That's why I don't own a 22-250 anymore! What little recoil the 22-250 has, will take you off target!

Davemuzz · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:33:33 AM »

Chuck,

I don't doubt you at all.

All I am saying is the biggest chunk the 204 can throw is 40 grains. I just think if your going out further than 200 yards on a coyote, you need a bigger chunk of metal than 40 grains. And the .223 can accuratlely throw a 55 grain chunk out to 400 yards.

But, that's just what I think.

Dave

coopershooter · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2006, 12:16:09 PM »

did selmer say anything about shooting yotes?

Davemuzz · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2006, 12:34:07 PM »

Is a yote not a varmit?

308Win · « **Reply #17 on:** October 09, 2006, 01:37:06 PM »

At 250 or 300yds all 224 bullets are wind sensitive!

Davemuzz · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2006, 01:05:13 AM »

Chuck,

Your post prompted me to do some research. To look up the facts. To find these facts to support my thinking and my argument that the .223 had more downrange energy than the .204 ruger.

So, I went on a mission to find these facts. And what happen!!! To my shock

and dismay

I found out that I was wrong!!!

Of course, that would mean that you, Chuck my friend, would be at the opposite end of the spectrum. That being said.....and it is difficult for me to say this.....but it's true....you would be RIGHT.

There, I said it!!! Yes, I've looked and I am still a man!!

Ok, enough of that.

I took a look at the down range energy of both the 223 and the 204 bullets. Actually, Hornady makes (and I did not know this) a 45 grain 204 factory ammo for the little 204.

So, energy for the .223 with a muzzle velocity at the max for a 55 grain V-max at 3300 fps, the 400 yard energy is 414 ft\lb, and the .204 with a muzzle velocity at the max for a 45 grain SP at 3625 fps, the 400 yard energy is 438.

The .223 is a 22 caliber bullet, but the .204 is only a 20 caliber bullet. So you see, I thought bigger = more knock down power.

And here I've made it too October before I made my first mistake of the year. Darn, almost another perfect year.

Thanks Chuck...you see what you have done!!!!

Chuck White · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2006, 11:42:53 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on October 10, 2006, 01:05:13 AM

Chuck,

Your post prompted me to do some research.
Thanks Chuck...you see what you have done!!!!

So............ What rifle are you going to get with a 204 chambering?

Fun, ain't it? If you get one, you'll love it and still love your 223!

Take Care;

Davemuzz · « **Reply #20 on:** October 10, 2006, 04:30:38 PM »

Well Chuck,

I have a Contender and an Encore.....so I'll have to check and see if they make the barrels for just one or both. Now, if they make it for both....I will probably go with the Contender as that is what my .223 is. I have a very nice stock and forarm setup for that.

If it's the Encore, Then it will be that.

That's one thing that I do like about the T\C's. After the initial investment in the frame and stock, for a few hundred bucks you can get an excellent shooting barrel. So, I can get the 204 barrel....then I'll probably spend more $ on a good quality scope.

But the 204 will have to waite. My next barrel addition is the S&W 460 rifle for the Encore. Why? Because they make it!

Dave.

Thanks Chuck....your spendin my $. Do you know my wife?

coopershooter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2006, 02:33:08 AM »

people usually say predator when talking about yotes. but i guess they are varmint,s too. yes a .223 with heavier bullets might deliver more energy than the .204, the .204 will do the job!

buzztail · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2006, 01:32:06 PM »

I love my 14" .204

Easy on brass, easy on the wallet, rough on ears! NOT one you'd want to light off unprotected

uncle joe · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2006, 02:52:17 AM »

My 24' 243 Encore likes 80 gr Winchester varnint loads the best, no longer made. so I trying other 80 gr in the future. I have a Contender in 17 hmr and can shoot a water bottle top @ 100 yds consistantly