Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Which to buy 204 Ruger or 223 Remington

I am in the market for a new varmint rifle. I currently have a 17hmr and a 243 win. and am looking for something to bridge the gap between the two. I have decided on the Kimber varmint model in 204 Ruger or 223 remington. I live in the east and most of my shots will be under 200 yards. I plan to use it mainly on wood chucks (ground hogs around here) and a few crows and coyotes. I reload my own ammo so acccess to factory loads is not a concern. Thanks in advance.

The deciding factor for me would be what the twist rate is on Kimber in .223. If it's a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9, you could use heavier bullets for coyotes, and the lighter ones for the crows and woodchucks. If it is a 1 in 12, it's kind of a jump ball at 200yds and under. So far, personally, I'm not impressed with the .204 on coyotes, but the jury is still out.

223...

I have been playing with a 204, trying all sorts of stuff... to separate it from being equal to or better than a 223...

while folks can throw all sorts of stats about it, I still haven't been overly impressed...

do a 223 with a one in 9 twist, like Savages, there is no comparison at that point...

with the 223, you can get good bullets from the 30 grain Bergers, to the 90 grain Sierra.. the 204's bullet selection is much smaller...

I am pulling the barrel off on the 204 I have, and putting something else on there...the barrel on it was given to me..

probably going to offer it on line here to someone for a kid...

I looked at the Kimber website, and the Varmint model only comes in .204 and .22-250. The Longmaster does come in .223 with a 1 in 9" twist. The difference appears to be name only as both come with heavy sporter, stainless fluted barrel. etc.

.223 1 in 9 is always a good pick. I use Savage .204 1 in 12 and have no complaints at all. I like both and the more I use .204 the more I like it. If I need more than .204 I use .243

223 fills the gap best, period. Make sure you twist between 8 and 10 for best versatility.
After you've fully explored the 223, THEN you can decide what to do next.

I have a Kimber Montana in 204 and I'm more than impressed with it. So far I've shot 7 Coyotes with the 204 using 35gr.Bergers. Most were broadside shots with a few head on shots. Zero runners, a few spinners, and one leaped into a pond a stopped to get a drink from. That one was pretty entertaining. I still prefer the 17 Rem., but I'm impressed with the 204. My 223's are gathering dust now, but I still like them.

I have had my share of expereince with both.

The .223 has never let me down. The .204 is a BLAST to shoot and takes care of critters in a hurry!!!!!!! The only time i have had a lil issue with the .204 is when shooting vmax bullets and i had a "splatter" on a shoulder of coyote. Utlimately killed him, but...........

Both are super rounds for plinking, and smallish predators coyote and smaller.

Have fun choosing........thats half the enjoyment!!!

I prefer the .204. I don't have much use for a heavy bullet .22 caliber so the .204 wins by a landslide. With a .204 in the safe I don't see a lot of use for any other centerfire smaller than a .257 Roberts.

For varmint use I have a .223, a 22-250, and a .243. I have shot my buddies .204 in the field along with my .223 and wasn't able to discern any noticeable difference. I'm loading 40 grain Nosler BT's and out the barrel very fast with the .223. I started out with the 22-250 and could have stopped there but I saw my buddy shoot some coyotes are really long range in the wind with a .243 using 70 grainers. So I picked up a .243, and then the chance to pick up a .223 came along and I hesitated.....for a few seconds and bought one. I could have stayed perfectly happy with just the 22-250 but it sure is fun having all three.

As you already know the availability of .223 brass and bullets will always be there.

Get one of each, that s what I did.

Me too! Then I added a 22-250 and the 25-06 to boot~!! I guess I am ready to take on the P-Dogs for the old West.

Actually, I got a 22-250, then gave my 223 to my youngest boy, then decided I needed a 204 Ruger. It's great to be a rifle loony.

I agree with Tom. If you had only one small caliber the .204 would be it. But you have a .243 for long range should you need it. So my vote would be .223.

I have had a 204, numerous 223's, a couple of 22/250's and if I were to have to choose from just one it would be a 223. My current inventory consists of zero 204's, three 223's, and two 22/250's. I have a lot of faith in the 22 calibers, they have never let me down, the 22's have a little more versatility than the 204. I did give the 204 a whirl but after loosing a couple of coyotes, due to "splashs", I gave up on it.

With the new bullets on the market now I would not be at all uncomfortable using the 223 or 22/250 on deer sized animals, something I would not do with a 204.

drover

I vote the 223!

Actually, Drover, you make a whole lot of sense. If I did not already have a 22-250, I would have purchased another 22 cal varmint rifle. As for the 204, I am going to focus on 40-45 grain bullets for coyotes. I have no confidence in any thing lighter than that without some personal experience. If you didnt have any varmint cartridges, the first one I probably would pick would also be a 223 Rem for a whole bunch of reasons.

The Kimber 223 has a 1-9" rate of twist. Will this over stablize small bullets? I plan on trying some of the new lead free loads from Barnes and Nosler around 36-40 grain I think. I expect lead free mandates within the next 5 years if the current trend continues. In case I let the 243 go I had all but settled on the 223 for versitlity. The twist rate has me rethinking it. A 223 with proper bullet size appears to be able to take down deer at close range according to reports. I think for a strict varmint gun the 204 appears to have all of the advantages.

VArmit gun....agreed, .204 is REALLLLLY hard to beat. Its when predators get involved in the game, coyotes can cause problems. The .223 is prob better at that game, BUT...beger bullets (for reloaders) make the .204 more the capable.

I can shoot forties in my 1-8 bolters (223 and 22BR) and they are fine, just over a half on average. I suppose you COULD overtwist them but you'd have other trouble.
I still say, 223 hands down as a varminter. So many bullets, so many loads, from mild to pretty darn wild.