204,17rem,22-250 your thoughts VOTE

[tmanbuddyy]

I am looking to do a new project rifle (varmint). I would like people’s options on what caliper and manufacture rifle to match would be. If you care to add ballistic info, on that caliber that would be awesome. I already have .308 .223 so don’t bother mentioning.

Here are my thoughts so fare:::::
204, 17 rem,22-250
I am looking for speed and long range capabilities on varmints I.E. groundhogs
Please weight in on the reloading aspect as well (I.E. availability of reloading components)
Feel free to mention other calibers

So fare I’m really leaning towards 204

Bolt guns only I’m tired of hearing and reading about AR’s

 

[Mgderf]

Of the rounds you listed, I only have experience (very limited at that) with the .204 Ruger

I have a Howa 1500 in .204 Ruger that is a tack driver out to 300 yards or so, when there's no wind.
Ammo is a little spendy and I don't yet reload.

I do know that the .204 Ruger is pushing just over 4000fps with the 34gr loads.

 

[Airwolf]

I vote .22-250 based on availability of common components both on the reloading and cleaning side of things. Your long range terminal performance will be better with the heavier .22 projectiles.

 

[Bottlefed]

22-250 but 17hmr has killed 50plus coyote for me this year

 

[42769vette]

I vote 22-250. Its much more capable of bucking the wind than the other calibers and you mendtioned long range. In long range shooting drop is MUCH easier to compensate for than wind

 

[GlockRock]

22-250. No question.

 

[Sniper 79]

I vote 22-250. I have shot both .17 and .204 and was not impresed. Too small of a pill.

Stick with the old time tested 22-250. My Savage 110 puts Remington 45grn hollow points through the same hole. Couldnt ask for a better varmit vaporizer.

 

[cook5oh]

22-250 all the way. Excellent range, light recoil, extreme velocity and very accurate. I've got the Rem 700 varmint in 22-250, and would never trade it.

 

[TBone3006]

I vote for the 22-250 it is a lot more versitile especially if you are going to reload. I currently have a .204 and love it .But it doesnt have the range of bullet weights that the 22-250 has. If you go with the ,204 you will need the smaller cleaning rod and smaller powder funnel for reloading.

 

[Sirshredalot]

Of the ones you listed, 22-250 for sure...hands down.

But...If you reload you might take a look at the 25-06 or 6.5 Creedmoor(my next purchase).

They can be loaded with heavy deer/elk slugs or light varmint/yote slugs...they can be loaded light or heavy and are still considered high velocity(25-06).

Lots of versatility with the larger two cartridges, and the 22-250 would probably be more limiting for larger/other game potential.

The 6.5 Creedmoor keeps you in a short action gun, but the 25-06 would go for a long action...thus opening up even more potential....its really amazing how flat the creedmoor shoots.

$.02

God bless
-Shred

 

[churchmouse]

I have looked into and shot 22-250 and it is impressive. I have not however shot anything other than cardboard with one.
The .17 is a great round for anything up to Coyote. I took one with my Taurus Tracker pistol in .17 off hand at 50 yds. Dropped it on the spot.
The .17 is effected by the wind as is any small diam. projectile but is a lot less expensive to shoot than the other rounds you list.
If you like rifles that go boom when you fire them the .17 is not the one for you.

 

[tmanbuddyy]

Ok wow an overwhelming responds about 22_250 . Honestly i thought I'd get allot of mixed reviews. What kind of speeds can be obtained with 22_250. I've seen that rd hovering around 4000 fps can it exceed that speed and still retain accuracy out to say 300 yds. With explosive results on groundhogs

 

[baldguy637]

If I had to choose from the calibers mentioned in the o.p. I would go with the 22-250 hands down. I owned one for several years and it never let me down. I did end up selling it and going with the .243 about 5 years ago and haven't looked back.

Reason being the 250 is limited on its versatility in my opinion. With bullet weights in the 40-55gr range it's pretty much just a varmint caliber. Like I said, I owned one for many years, and they're great for what the cartridge is designed for.

The .243 on the other hand can be loaded down to 58gr pills for varmints and up over 100gr for medium sized game. The cost of ammo is roughly the same and ballistics are very close. I shot the 58gr v-max for years until I started reloading. Now I go with the 75gr v-max to help buck the wind a little more. If you plan to sell the pelts the 250 doesn't do as much damage from what I've experienced, but you get a little better penetration with the .243 for those not so friendly shots.

Here are some ballistic numbers from hornadys website

22-250 Remington loaded with the 50 gr V-MAX at 4,000 feet per second

243 Winchester Superformance Varmint load pushing a 58 gr V-Max at 3,925 feet per second

 

[cook5oh]

Ok wow an overwhelming responds about 22_250 . Honestly i thought I'd get allot of mixed reviews. What kind of speeds can be obtained with 22_250. I've seen that rd hovering around 4000 fps can it exceed that speed and still retain accuracy out to say 300 yds. With explosive results on groundhogs

The 22-250 is very accurate out to 300 yards and if you zero around 150 yards you dont need to dope your scope much to adjust out to 300. It does lose all that velocity fast though. Beyond 300 yards it start to get a little anemic.

I cant say for sure about about groundhogs but I know pumpkins dont stand a chance at that range

 

[doddsracing]

Have you looked the 220 swift shoots real flat,and if you want to beat the wind look at the 25-06.The swift you won`t buy ammo at wallmart like you can the 22-250.

 

[firewalker]

with a 204 you can push 4000 fps + with less powder and be under moa at 300.

 

[camaker]

.204 is a sweet shooting caliber.

 

[wilhelb]

for me it is the 204 or the 250, when you compare trajectory....the 204 is better by a hair. But I would rather have the bigger bullet and more options. And speaking of options...the 243 is tough to beat

 

[cummins5552]

22-250