Which is better, 204 or 22-250?

[mossyoakman]

which is better 204 or 22-250

[rbergum95]

better for what?? we will need more info to give you a fair answer.

[quickdtoo]

Here's a previous discussion on that topic.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,122583.msg1098420957.html#msg1098420957

[mossyoakman]

For Varmint hunting

[LaOtto222]

This is like asking if Chevy or Ford is better. Either one will get the job done. Pick your poison.

[trotterlg]

Here is how it is:  Both are indended for that exact task.  The 22-250 started ife as a wildcat called the varminter, the 204 was factory designed for the job.  The 22-250 does it by brute force, you can see 4,400fps from a 40gr bullet from one, it does get the job done.  The .204 does it with a little more class, (not as well as a 17 Remington or a 17 Fireball) however.  If you want any fur then the 204 will be good, I really don't think the .204 is much better than the .223 at saving pelts.  The 22-250 will make you learn to stich up holes.  Larry

[quickdtoo]

First, you need to define "varmints", a coyote isn't a varmint, it's a predator, as are bob cats, but some include them in the term, I don't know anyone that stitches up prairie dog and ground hog hides, at least anyone with all their marbles!! We have a Predator and Varmint hunting forum that's a good place to do some reading on the 204 and 22-250. Personally, I think you need both, that's the standard Handiholic way of thinking anyway, just decide which to get first!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/board,14.0.html

[McLernon]

The 204 and 22-250 are often compared and the 204 is certainly a great round but the 22-250 is still King in my books and I have both. With the 22-250 you'll want it in a heavier gun so that you can maximize its accuracy potential. The 204 can be had in a CZ mini-mauser, much lighter and less recoil. I will be using my 204 Handi with a 40 gr bullet for coyotes this winter for 250-300 yard shots so I'll let you'all know how I make out.

(Also, remember that the 22-250 is the most popular round in North America and for good reason)

My $.02CDN

Mc

[LaOtto222]

More popular than a 223 or 308?

[McLernon]

Yep. Can't remember where or when I read it though.

Mc

[quickdtoo]

Probably in 1977!!

[McLernon]

Couldn't have been 1977, I couldn't read yet---------------------------------------------ha so you think I'm an "Old f--t" eh?

Mc

[just bill]

 22-250

[bscman]

(Also, remember that the 22-250 is the most popular round in North America and for good reason)

My $.02CDN
Mc

It's NOT the most popular round in North America.
It IS, however, the caliber that has sold the most reloading dies (last I heard). 

[oneshotonekill]

I have both and they will get the job done on varmits and predators.  But if I was only allowed to have 1 it would be the 22-250.  With light bullets like a 40gr v-max it will shoot just as fast and flat as the 204 but you have the added option of going to heavier bullets if the need arises.  My 22-250 does pretty good with 68 gr hornadys and 70gr sierras and it shoots the 64gr win PP into 1 hole you don't have that option with a 204.  So if you need/want to go to a bigger bullet you have no choice with the 204 but the 22-250 has plenty of options.

[jdwolf]

First, you need to define "varmints", a coyote isn't a varmint, it's a predator, as are bob cats, but some include them in the term, I don't know anyone that stitches up prairie dog and ground hog hides, at least anyone with all their marbles!! We have a Predator and Varmint hunting forum that's a good place to do some reading on the 204 and 22-250. Personally, I think you need both, that's the standard Handiholic way of thinking anyway, just decide which to get first!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/board,14.0.html

  Your right, coyotes and bobcats are predators sometimes mistakenly called varmints. The feedback I've heard on the 204 is that it's an excellent varmint cartridge (prairie dogs, ground hogs, etc.)  but not a good choice for the larger predators. The reason being is the small grain bullets just isn't enough for clean kills.

[quickdtoo]

.....it would be the 22-250.  With light bullets like a 40gr v-max it will shoot just as fast and flat as the 204... 

That's not true, the 204 kicks butt over the 40gr 22-250 both in long range energy and trajectory, the 40gr Berger.224" bullet has a poor BC of .155,  in comparison to the 40gr Berger .204" bullet's BC of .236. And since this discussion pertains to H&R 204s and 22-250s, you aren't gonna be shooting any high BC bullets in either, the 1:12" 204 or the 1:14" 22-250. 50gr bullets in the 22-250 are more of an apples to apples comparison to the 40gr 204  for energy and trajectory.

Tim

http://204ruger.com/204_overview.php

http://bergerbullets.com/

Trajectory for Custom .204 Berger match 40gr at 3700 Feet per Second
At an Elevation Angle of: 0 degrees
Ballistic Coefficients of: 0.236   0.236   0.236   0.236   0.236
Velocity Boundaries (Feet per Second) of: 3700   3700   3700   3700
Wind Direction is: 0.0 o'clock and a Wind Velocity of: 0.0 Miles per hour
Wind Components are (Miles per Hour): DownRange: 0.0   Cross Range: 0.0   Vertical: 0.0
Altitude: 500 Feet with a Standard Atmospheric Model.
Temperature: 59 F
Data Printed in English Units
Range   Velocity   Energy   Momentum   Drop   Bullet Path   Wind Drift   Time of Flight
(Yards)   (Ft/Sec)   (Ft/Lbs)   (Lb-Sec)   (inches)   (inches)   (inches)   (Seconds)
0   3700.0   1215.7   0.66   0.0   -1.5   0.0   0.000000000
25   3581.6   1139.1   0.64   -0.08   -0.63   0.0   0.020603396
50   3466.5   1067.1   0.62   -0.33   0.07   0.0   0.041889340
75   3354.6   999.3   0.60   -0.76   0.58   0.0   0.063883438
100   3245.8   935.5   0.58   -1.39   0.91   0.0   0.086613086
125   3139.7   875.4   0.56   -2.22   1.03   0.0   0.110107811
150   3036.2   818.6   0.54   -3.27   0.93   0.0   0.134399627
175   2935.2   765.1   0.52   -4.55   0.59   0.0   0.159523155
200   2836.6   714.5   0.50   -6.09   0.0   0.0   0.185515823
225   2740.1   666.7   0.49   -7.9   -0.86   0.0   0.212418036
250   2645.8   621.6   0.47   -10.0   -2.01   0.0   0.240273412
275   2553.4   579.0   0.45   -12.41   -3.47   0.0   0.269129229
300   2462.9   538.7   0.44   -15.15   -5.26   0.0   0.299036680
325   2374.2   500.6   0.42   -18.25   -7.41   0.0   0.330052689
350   2287.3   464.6   0.41   -21.74   -9.95   0.0   0.362237385
375   2202.2   430.7   0.39   -25.64   -12.9   0.0   0.395655179
400   2118.8   398.7   0.38   -29.99   -16.3   0.0   0.430376149
425   2037.3   368.6   0.36   -34.82   -20.18   0.0   0.466475054
450   1957.7   340.3   0.35   -40.17   -24.59   0.0   0.504030892
475   1879.9   313.8   0.33   -46.1   -29.56   0.0   0.543127347
500   1804.2   289.1   0.32   -52.64   -35.15   0.0   0.583852659
525   1730.7   266.0   0.31   -59.84   -41.41   0.0   0.626298363
550   1659.5   244.5   0.29   -67.77   -48.39   0.0   0.670557784
575   1590.7   224.7   0.28   -76.49   -56.16   0.0   0.716724673
600   1524.5   206.4   0.27   -86.07   -64.79   0.0   0.764892365


Trajectory for Berger .224 dia. 40 gr. MEF at 4200 Feet per Second
At an Elevation Angle of: 0 degrees
Ballistic Coefficients of: 0.155   0.155   0.155   0.155   0.155
Velocity Boundaries (Feet per Second) of: 3040   3040   3040   3040
Wind Direction is: 0.0 o'clock and a Wind Velocity of: 0.0 Miles per hour
Wind Components are (Miles per Hour): DownRange: 0.0   Cross Range: 0.0   Vertical: 0.0
Altitude: 500 Feet with a Standard Atmospheric Model.
Temperature: 59 F
Data Printed in English Units
Range   Velocity   Energy   Momentum   Drop   Bullet Path   Wind Drift   Time of Flight
(Yards)   (Ft/Sec)   (Ft/Lbs)   (Lb-Sec)   (inches)   (inches)   (inches)   (Seconds)
0   4200.0   1566.5   0.75   0.0   -1.5   0.0   0.000000000
25   3998.9   1420.1   0.71   -0.06   -0.72   0.0   0.018302269
50   3806.8   1286.9   0.68   -0.26   -0.08   0.0   0.037526370
75   3623.2   1165.8   0.64   -0.61   0.41   0.0   0.057722475
100   3447.5   1055.5   0.61   -1.13   0.73   0.0   0.078944789
125   3279.2   954.9   0.58   -1.83   0.88   0.0   0.101252421
150   3117.5   863.0   0.55   -2.73   0.82   0.0   0.124711020
175   2961.7   779.0   0.53   -3.85   0.53   0.0   0.149394589
200   2811.5   701.9   0.50   -5.22   0.0   0.0   0.175386487
225   2666.3   631.3   0.47   -6.87   -0.81   0.0   0.202780427
250   2525.8   566.5   0.45   -8.82   -1.92   0.0   0.231681901
275   2389.5   507.0   0.42   -11.11   -3.37   0.0   0.262210854
300   2257.5   452.6   0.40   -13.79   -5.21   0.0   0.294503495
325   2129.5   402.7   0.38   -16.89   -7.47   0.0   0.328710653
350   2005.8   357.3   0.36   -20.47   -10.21   0.0   0.365001308
375   1886.4   316.0   0.34   -24.59   -13.49   0.0   0.403560140
400   1771.7   278.8   0.31   -29.32   -17.38   0.0   0.444587908
425   1662.2   245.3   0.30   -34.75   -21.96   0.0   0.488297237
450   1558.4   215.7   0.28   -40.96   -27.34   0.0   0.534904774
475   1460.8   189.5   0.26   -48.07   -33.6   0.0   0.584623943
500   1370.4   166.8   0.24   -56.19   -40.89   0.0   0.637647718
525   1287.8   147.3   0.23   -65.48   -49.34   0.0   0.694127112
550   1214.2   130.9   0.22   -76.07   -59.09   0.0   0.754138667
575   1150.3   117.5   0.20   -88.14   -70.32   0.0   0.817645651
600   1096.3   106.7   0.19   -101.85   -83.19   0.0   0.884483279


Trajectory for Berger .224 dia. 50 gr. MEF at 3900 Feet per Second
At an Elevation Angle of: 0 degrees
Ballistic Coefficients of: 0.213   0.213   0.213   0.213   0.213
Velocity Boundaries (Feet per Second) of: 2880   2880   2880   2880
Wind Direction is: 0.0 o'clock and a Wind Velocity of: 0.0 Miles per hour
Wind Components are (Miles per Hour): DownRange: 0.0   Cross Range: 0.0   Vertical: 0.0
Altitude: 500 Feet with a Standard Atmospheric Model.
Temperature: 59 F
Data Printed in English Units
Range   Velocity   Energy   Momentum   Drop   Bullet Path   Wind Drift   Time of Flight
(Yards)   (Ft/Sec)   (Ft/Lbs)   (Lb-Sec)   (inches)   (inches)   (inches)   (Seconds)
0   3900.0   1688.4   0.87   0.0   -1.5   0.0   0.000000000
25   3762.6   1571.5   0.84   -0.07   -0.69   0.0   0.019579674
50   3629.6   1462.3   0.81   -0.3   -0.03   0.0   0.039875628
75   3500.8   1360.4   0.78   -0.69   0.47   0.0   0.060916759
100   3376.0   1265.1   0.75   -1.26   0.79   0.0   0.082733819
125   3254.9   1176.0   0.72   -2.02   0.91   0.0   0.105359872
150   3137.3   1092.6   0.70   -2.98   0.84   0.0   0.128830789
175   3022.9   1014.3   0.67   -4.17   0.54   0.0   0.153185782
200   2911.4   940.9   0.65   -5.59   0.0   0.0   0.178467615
225   2802.8   872.0   0.62   -7.27   -0.79   0.0   0.204722900
250   2696.9   807.4   0.60   -9.23   -1.86   0.0   0.232002367
275   2593.5   746.6   0.58   -11.48   -3.23   0.0   0.260361293
300   2492.5   689.6   0.55   -14.06   -4.92   0.0   0.289860099
325   2393.6   636.0   0.53   -16.99   -6.96   0.0   0.320565871
350   2297.0   585.7   0.51   -20.29   -9.38   0.0   0.352551597
375   2202.6   538.5   0.49   -24.01   -12.22   0.0   0.385895294
400   2110.4   494.4   0.47   -28.18   -15.5   0.0   0.420682558
425   2020.4   453.1   0.45   -32.83   -19.26   0.0   0.457005400
450   1932.7   414.6   0.43   -38.02   -23.56   0.0   0.494961683
475   1847.4   378.8   0.41   -43.79   -28.45   0.0   0.534655678
500   1764.6   345.7   0.39   -50.2   -33.97   0.0   0.576197390
525   1684.6   315.0   0.37   -57.3   -40.18   0.0   0.619700419
550   1607.6   286.9   0.36   -65.17   -47.17   0.0   0.665279697
575   1533.7   261.1   0.34   -73.88   -54.99   0.0   0.713050112
600   1463.3   237.7   0.32   -83.52   -63.74   0.0   0.763122460

[just bill]

I have shot/hunted enough 204s & 22-250s.

I agree about the 50s in 22-250 in particular the 50 gr V Max.

Question- Do the Handi 204s shoot the 40 grain bullets accurately?  I know many/most 204s don't and a few do.  Not to many 22-250s  like the 40s either.  Most 250s luv 50 V maxs though just as most 204s luv 32 V Maxs.

Paper stats a side.  I can tell you this from actual field hunting experience.  A 22-250 or 220 Swift hits a Woodchuck a heck of a lot harder at all distances than a 204.  In fact they hit noticeably harder than all the common varmint calibers below 6mm.

The other thing is bench accuracy at 300 yards very hard to beat a 22-250 at 300 yards from bench with common factory varmint calibers & guns under 6mm...............including the 204 from what I have actually seen.

IMO- The 204 acts much more like the 17 Remington than it does the 22-250

 

[Rob62]

When everything is said and done I believe the .22-250 is greatly superior to the .204. 

Nothing specially wrong with the .204, its just the 22-250 is more versatile.  The .22-250 is tried,true,  and over 44 years in service.

More info on the .22-250:

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/great_0930/index1.html

FWIW - I am not a fan of the cartridge of the month club, and believe the .204 is one of these cartridges.

Regards,
Rob

[Fred M]

When the chips are down the 22-250 shines and so is the 6x47. That is my take on the 204. Of course that wont stop me from buying one if I find a used Ruger #1 in 204.

[rex6666]

wonder how the 22-250 was thought of when it was in the cartridge of the month club.
bet their were people said it just wouldn't work, not as good as 220
wonder how the 204 will be thought of 44 years down the road.
wonder if the 204 was ever meant to compete with the 22-250.
the 22-250 is fine, so we don' t need and more speed merchants, just use the 22-250

[kevthebassman]

The feedback I've heard on the 204 is that it's an excellent varmint cartridge (prairie dogs, ground hogs, etc.)  but not a good choice for the larger predators. The reason being is the small grain bullets just isn't enough for clean kills.

Define large predators.  .204 ought to be more than enough for coyotes and bobcats at calling distances up to and including 300 yards, if .17 Rem performance is any indication.  If we're talking lion and wolf, then I would agree that a .204 is light.

[SHOOTALL]

sew up pelts ? choose correct bullet , son shot a gray fox with a 204 and cut it in half .
in the wind 22-250 wins hands down . speed both in same ball park .
bullets to reload 22 got that to .
i have both in the same model rifle , both shoot good , but if distance , wind or size of critter are in the equation i take the 22-250 and don't look back !
and i really like the 204 , i just respect what the 22-250 can do  more !

[aulrich]

Colony varmints (pd ground squirrels) 204 hands down, less powder same ballistics properties, plenty of hitting power.

Groundhogs I would think pick your poison.

Coyotes, If you are calling 204 or if you spot and stalk slight lead to 22-250.

As for the 40 grain problem, there is nothing wrong with the 40 grain hornady head that the 39 Sierra can't fix.

I don't care how many 22-250 dies have been sold, there is a new king in town

[SHOOTALL]

the king ? that wasn't a choice ! only 22-250 and 204 !

[gr8ful]

get both .204 for PD's and 22-250 for coyotes more guns = more fun, then you can argue with your buddys about which is better

[PHATINJUN]

Chevy Ford Mazda well maybe not Mazda take your pick .I thought the 30-06 was the most popular round in N america or was it 30/30. i got to go with the guru on this again . Getem both. Kurt

[aulrich]

Both is always a good solution.

Just for interest sake is POI stable enough when you swap barrels that you can pop the other barrel on while the other cools?

[McLernon]

I have the 22-250 in a heavy custom Remington 700 action. I have taken ground hogs routinely at 350 yards. I haven't sufficient experience with the 204 in a Handi yet but I would think that a 22-250 is a bit much for fur friendly shooting of coyotes.

Mc

[SHOOTALL]

the same bullet type in say 204 -42 gr. or 22-250 in 45 gr. is going to be that different ?
its all about bullet selection !