several PD hunters that I know have gone to 204 Ruger and rave about it, All have some model of Savage.
For me it would depend on how much time I was going to spend in the varmint shooting. I like to have 2 guns so I can trade off when is warmed up. I had a cooper in 223 and it shot in the 1/3 inch range but it was heavy and I did not care for the hard bolt lift. Since I was moving from Montana I sold it. I still have Hearters and a Savage in 223 but I only go to the dog towns 1 or 2 times a year.
The Ideal to me would be to re-barrel the old Hearters to 20 Practical. Neck size 223 down to 20 cal. and have 204 ballistics.
