Author Topic: .223 Rem or .204 Rug for first Handi? (Read 1100 times)

pvtschultz · « **on:** June 24, 2009, 09:36:23 AM »

Hi y'all. I am about to place an order for my first Handi and am stuck on which caliber to order. I would like a varmint cartrige, but don't shoot much over 200 yds. My buddy has an AR-15 and we load together a lot (my equipment) plus there is a lot of commercial ammo out there. Which would you buy? I don't want to get into a real deep discussion, but opinions are welcome (and may be ignored

).

Thanks!

ETA: I will buying either a 45 Colt (in my dreams probably) or 45-70 Gov't barrel to go with this Handi if that matters at all. I also own a 1/4 MOA sporterized Mauser in 308 Winchester if that makes any difference in your opinion.

petebum · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2009, 10:27:40 AM »

Both!!

Pete

canon6 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2009, 10:42:31 AM »

If it were me I would go with the 223,I have had several and all shot as well as or better than me.

Doug

jlwilliams · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2009, 11:02:05 AM »

.204 is a neat new round, but the .223 wins on ammo and component availability.

gould · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:37:21 PM »

The 223 we have 2 and they both will shoot anything we feed them very well reloads or factory.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:41:49 PM »

The 204 is a long range type round for shooting PD or coyotes at 400 yards or a little further. Once you move back into the 300 yard range or less, the 223 will do every thing you will need as far as varmints, paper and predators, and certainly cheaper than a 204.

Troyboy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:48:31 PM »

I say the 223 as well. Still my choice even with the shortages

gendoc · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:56:44 PM »

i have both in heavy barrel. (i think thats the only way a .204 is offerd)
anyway........
the 204 is very accurate. it took alot of load developing to get it that way with a 40gr nosler bt
@200 yrds..

the 223 is scary accurate out to 200yrds. the first load i picked from the nosler manual
for the 60grain partition is it....no further searching !!!!!!!!!

its hard to make a decision when the time comes for the kiyote, coydawgs or what ever.

but if i were a bet'n man i'd lean ta'wards the .223, cus its never wrong on how it performs.
i have it placed about 1" high on poi, and thats what i like, and it does too

keep in mind there are other thangs that makes them perform well also..........
both are great shooters.

its up to you... good luck!!!

gould · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2009, 03:33:12 PM »

Hey gendoc I also shoot the 60 grain partitions and haven't even tried any others. Hats off to Nosler my daughter has taken 2 whitetails with this bullet and thats what made me decide to get my first handi and now i'm looking to get another or 2

.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:12:37 PM »

223 ........ go in with your buddy on bulk bullets

get youself an ar now you got all that ammo...where does it stop

what size is you cleaning rod ? will it fit a 204?

223 is a classic every one must have a few before getting the exotic crap

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:28:01 PM »

Good point on the cleaning rod. I hadn't thought about that myself. I'll bet you don't buy a $2.99 special at Waly World for that thing either. that's going to be a spensive rod compared to the G.I. ones you can find for a dime a dozen.

myarmor · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:42:30 PM »

I have shot... and loved both. Still I suggest the 223, only for the availibility of components and factory ammo. It's been around much longer giving ammo manufactures a comfort zone and offering many loads in it plus Factory Match ammo as well.
Down the near road, give a 204 a try.... it's an awesome little round. I feel it can fit a nich

-Aaron

pvtschultz · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2009, 02:48:54 AM »

Thanks everyone! I was leaning towards the 223 but the thought of a 4000 fps V-Max was sounding really exciting (albeit overkill for <300 yds).

How do the new barrels handle the lighter bullets, 40-50 grains? I still like screamers, and I won't be killing white tail with this little guy (that is what the 45-70 barrel will be for

). After all, I am that guy loading 125 gr Noslers to near 3200 fps in a 308 Win... Still not for white tail, but very fun to shoot. That quarter minute load is well below max, but damn it is accurate.

gendoc · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2009, 12:04:34 PM »

i use the 60gr nosler partition fer kiyote, .224
i don't like'um to suffer wif tha little stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i lika tha BANG-FLOP thang !!!!!!!!

.204 ya talk'n bout 4k ft per second.... thats good ifin ya look'n only fer speed!!!!!!!
but if ya look'n fer accuracy, 3500-3600 does a better job...
at least thats tha way mine thinks......

jus my .02 others my vary!!!!!!

pvtschultz · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2009, 04:09:30 PM »

Thanks! I've never owned such a small rifle before (other than a 22 RF). I did carry an M16 for seven years and always prayed that I'd never have to try and take a man down with one (never did have to thank God). They are a hoot to shoot, but paper and vermin are more their callin' if you know what I mean. I orded the SB2-323 today, should be here in a week. I'm givin' up my Yugo SKS and some $$$ for her, but the wife will allow it this way.

pvtschultz · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2009, 09:59:26 AM »

I just got an email from the gun shop saying that my Handi has come in! I'm getting a bit giddy, kinda like a little school girl...

I'm going to the range on Friday with some older Wolf ammo that I've had laying around to get the scope dialed in close and work on the barrel some. We'll see how she shoots!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2009, 10:03:36 AM »

I'd recommend taking other ammo too if you want to enjoy shooting, it's no fun shooting ammo that doesn't shoot well which the Wolf may or may not, it doesn't have a great track record. $:-\$

Tim

gendoc · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2009, 01:09:16 PM »

i strongly agree with tim!!!!!!
steel cased berdan primed stuff never worked well for accuracy... for me !!!!
it was made for a larger center of mass

myarmor · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2009, 01:30:55 PM »

Dido with these guys. Pick up a Box Of Winchester White Box 45grJHP first thing and then..... well hell anything factory will most likely shoot better then those Wolf

pvtschultz · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2009, 04:23:08 PM »

LOL, I'm sure.

I've got 49 of them to dispose of

so I'll shoot them just to get a few rounds down the barrel to wear her in. The gun shop that I use also makes ammo so I'll see what they have on hand. This gun shop recently came out in full support of our (Wisconsin) open carry rights so I get to carry my side arm while paying for my next long gun. As a show of my appreciation, I like to give them a few of my extra dollars to say thanks.

I'm thinking free float, business card, and o-ring right away. What da y'all think? Shoot first, or just get it out of the way? I'll be mounting the 2.5-10 x 50 scope off my 1/4 MOA Mauser so I know the scope will be okay.

I'll be sure to share pics...

myarmor · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2009, 04:51:47 PM »

Shoot her first. Go ahead and have some "Go Bang" meaningless fun with your Wolfs

. Afterwards take it back home and scrub the bore very well with Flitz carefully as mentioned in the FAQs. And pick up some good factory loads.... the WWB 45grJHP seem universal for our Handis in 223.
Handloads can be only as accurate as the person that knows what the rifle likes (unless luckly).... I.E. load your own in this regard.... or have someone shooting and reloading it to experiment with different loads.

Have fun.

pvtschultz · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2009, 04:47:32 PM »

I brought her home tonight and gave her a good bath. Everything looks pretty good. The metal finish isn't anywhere as good as my 2002 Huntsman but I like the darker stain that they are using now. There was a light coat of rust on almost everything and I was suprised at how dirty it was. The bore is clean and dry now and so is the latch.

But of course, my darned scope rings are too short so now I have to quick go out and buy new ones for her range debut on Friday.

And, the gun shop only had Black Hills 55 gr FMJ (LC-06) so we'll see how they work in the 1:9 heavy barrel. I got a box of 50 so that'll give me extra brass for reloading when I'm done with them. Now if I could only find some small rifle primers... $:-\$

Datil · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2009, 01:49:18 AM »

Don't we would like to find some srp? datil

mitch132 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2009, 06:21:18 AM »

I've been having to use small rifle magnum primers with an adjusted load since they were the only ones I found around here lately.

gendoc · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2009, 11:52:53 AM »

hey mitch,

have you try'd...

mark's outdoor sports, in birmingham ?

pvtschultz · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2009, 09:57:24 AM »

Well, I put the first 50 rounds through her this morning and you guys were right. That Wolf ammo shot about Minute of Deer (~5" @ 100 yds). I shot up 40 rounds of the Wolf, cleaning the bore periodically, and then switched over to the Black Hills ammo. I shot five - three round groups, letting the barrel cool down some in between. The best group was just under 1" and the worst was about 1-1/4", so not too bad. I'm sure that there is plenty of potential with this rifle. Each group consisted of two shots touching each other and then a flier. I'm wondering if how tightly I held the rifle had any impact on them? The trigger is a bit heavier than I like, but this will be a hunting rifle primarily and not a target rifle so I can deal with it.

All in all it was a good day at the range and I can wait to put together some handloads to see if I can improve on the accuracy at all. I still need to play with the forend to see if that matters on this rifle too.