Noise difference-204 Ruger vs .223 Remington?

[snake guy]

Because of a pending resolution to warranty claim (long story), I have been offered a free rifle, either in .204 Ruger or .223 Remington. Having shot mainly handgun (.357, .45) and rimfire rifles, I have little experience with centerfire rifles (the only exception is a .357 Marlin 1894c). My question is this: is there any difference in report (noise level) between these two calibers? How would their report compare with the 1894? This is important where I hunt, so if the .204 is at least somewhat less noisy then the .223, I would go in that direction. If there is no difference, I would likely go with the .223 for cheaper factory ammo and lower cost of components. The gun would be used for target punching and woodchucks.

I know I can reload the .223 (and, I would think, the .204) down to near .22 Mag levels, but my time for reloading is limited right now and I am also being offered a quantity of factory ammo as part of the settlement.

Any help from folks who can compare these rounds would be really appreciated. I have to make a decision by the end of the week.

[buzztail]

My 14" 204 is MUCH louder than a 14" 223, but I love shooting it MUCH more than the same barrel in 223. Does that clear things up fer ya!?!

[ken2222]

If you think you would enjoy actually watching the round find its mark, which BTW is pretty impressive damage wise, then BY ALL MEANS buy/get the 204....VERY low recoil lets you see whats happening. Its bark is fairly sharp...pretty cool if you ask me....I'd get the 204....

[mas19]

My .204 is fairly loud, but is in my opinion, a much better performing round.

[snake guy]

Thanks for the helpful answers. The .204 Ruger is what I'd like to go with (the low recoil is a major edge), but high noise could really be a problem right now and I need to stay in the noise level of a .17 HMR or .22 mag. I may wind up with the .223 and use reduced loads to get me to the noise level I need. Has anyone heard of doing that with the .204? Supposedly you can reduce H4895 loads by 40% and still be safe, but I have seen no published reports of doing that with the .204.

Thanks again!

[mas19]

i have, i have put 19 grains of IMR4895 with the 32gr VMAX, i got a very accurate round, but a very slow round, 2600fps area, report wise, it was less, but not a huge amount

the hand load i shoot for chucks is , 40gr Nosler , 27grs IMR4895, shooting 3700fps and 1/2" at 200yds

[snake guy]

i have, i have put 19 grains of IMR4895 with the 32gr VMAX, i got a very accurate round, but a very slow round, 2600fps area, report wise, it was less, but not a huge amount

the hand load i shoot for chucks is , 40gr Nosler , 27grs IMR4895, shooting 3700fps and 1/2" at 200yds

Mas19:

When you say the reduced .204 load had a lower report, do you think this was still loud enough to bother someone living a couple of hundred yards away or was it getting down to .22 Mag/17 HMR levels?

Frankly, it sounds like I'm better off just taking a refund (my other option) and staying with a .17 HMR or .17 M2. I hate to do that (how often do you get offered a new rifle?), but it sounds like I'm trying to do something that isn't really feasible, i.e., trying to use a centerfire rifle when only a rimfire is suitable.

[skb2706]

Because of a pending resolution to warranty claim (long story), I have been offered a free rifle, either in .204 Ruger or .223 Remington. Having shot mainly handgun (.357, .45) and rimfire rifles, I have little experience with centerfire rifles (the only exception is a .357 Marlin 1894c). My question is this: is there any difference in report (noise level) between these two calibers? How would their report compare with the 1894? This is important where I hunt, so if the .204 is at least somewhat less noisy then the .223, I would go in that direction. If there is no difference, I would likely go with the .223 for cheaper factory ammo and lower cost of components. The gun would be used for target punching and woodchucks.

I know I can reload the .223 (and, I would think, the .204) down to near .22 Mag levels, but my time for reloading is limited right now and I am also being offered a quantity of factory ammo as part of the settlement.

Any help from folks who can compare these rounds would be really appreciated. I have to make a decision by the end of the week.

Noise level difference between  the two is so smalll you would need expensive equpiment to measure it. If your nieghbors can hear one and not the other, they certainly have too much time on their hands. .204 has a little longer reach. Quality ammo for either costs about the same. Quality components for either cost the same. Cheap ammo is cheap ammo......no getting around that. If you were going to reload a .223 down to 22 mag levels just buy a .22 mag and save a buck or two.

[mas19]

i have, i have put 19 grains of IMR4895 with the 32gr VMAX, i got a very accurate round, but a very slow round, 2600fps area, report wise, it was less, but not a huge amount

the hand load i shoot for chucks is , 40gr Nosler , 27grs IMR4895, shooting 3700fps and 1/2" at 200yds

Mas19:

When you say the reduced .204 load had a lower report, do you think this was still loud enough to bother someone living a couple of hundred yards away or was it getting down to .22 Mag/17 HMR levels?

Frankly, it sounds like I'm better off just taking a refund (my other option) and staying with a .17 HMR or .17 M2. I hate to do that (how often do you get offered a new rifle?), but it sounds like I'm trying to do something that isn't really feasible, i.e., trying to use a centerfire rifle when only a rimfire is suitable.

My dropped load is still much louder than my 17hmr, i could try and make a video of it compared to my 17 but idk how well it will come out. Im gonna go do it right now for ya anyway cuz i havent shot in like 2 weeks HAHA

[snake guy]

If you were going to reload a .223 down to 22 mag levels just buy a .22 mag and save a buck or two.

I think you are correct and that's exactly why I got a .17 M2 to start with. The problem now is that the manufacturer can't (or won't) offer me anything except a centerfire or a refund. The refund will wind up costing me money in the long run, since I have more invested in this gun than the basic purchase price. However, from what I've learned here, it sounds like the refund might have to be the way to go.

[snake guy]

My dropped load is still much louder than my 17hmr, i could try and make a video of it compared to my 17 but idk how well it will come out. Im gonna go do it right now for ya anyway cuz i havent shot in like 2 weeks HAHA

Thanks-much appreciated!