204 and 22-250 differences?

[LacLaBicheNS]

whats the differences between these 2 calibers?

Its basically for coyotes and pelt damage is not a concern.

22-250 is flatter and hits a little harder? Is that the only difference?

204 or seems cheaper to shoot (factory)

22-250 better in wind?

[Rockymtnx]

.22-250 is slightly better in the wind.

.204 Ruger bullets are lighter. (24gr to 45g)
.22-250(35gr to 80gr)

[aulrich]

250 Better in the wind, depends on the load, but I am willing to say real close for winddrift and trajectory.

I think 250 might have cheaper factory loads just for the fact I don't think 204 has any "white box" loads. Priemium vs Priemium

250 hits harder

204 see your hits in the scope

250 boring and reliable

204 sexy

204 a pocket fullof ammo goes further

[LacLaBicheNS]

thanks guys. one more quick question

out to about 400 yards, they have about the same knock down power? I know depends on the shot, but in general to this distance are they about the same knock down abilitly? Coyotes would be the biggest animal shot with this gun.

[ShawnM]

I have never fired a .204 so I can't speak to its knock-down power at 400yards but a .22-250 doesn't have any issue at that range. Pretty much any coyote I can see is within range of my .22-250.

[Dr. Phil A]

I really like my 204 (TC Pro Hunter 28" SS fluted barrel) Been popping gophers at close to 300 yards. Shoots pretty flat out to that distance. Gophers explode and there is not enough left to feed a magpie.

Shot a 22-250 and really did not see much difference. Barrel length may have been the difference.

[LacLaBicheNS]

I really like my 204 (TC Pro Hunter 28" SS fluted barrel) Been popping gophers at close to 300 yards. Shoots pretty flat out to that distance. Gophers explode and there is not enough left to feed a magpie.

Shot a 22-250 and really did not see much difference. Barrel length may have been the difference.

recoil difference between the two?

[Findal]

The .204 has less recoil than the 22-250.
It is also less loud.

[Kale_M]

look up the ballistics on the federal ammo website. .204 wins in all the categories. wind drift, drop etc. One bullet out of the 250 has a touch more energy at 500 yards that is it

[LacLaBicheNS]

look up the ballistics on the federal ammo website. .204 wins in all the categories. wind drift, drop etc. One bullet out of the 250 has a touch more energy at 500 yards that is it

thanks a ton!

this advice is for a friend of mine, not myself. I think I'm going to recomend the 204. Ammo seems cheaper, 22-250 is more common, but the 204 faftory seems to be cheaper.

thanks

[H380]

I hunt with a buddy who has a 204 ,, he wishes he had my 250 .

[LacLaBicheNS]

I hunt with a buddy who has a 204 ,, he wishes he had my 250 .

dammit.. thought i had it figured out..

why does he wish he had a 250?

[markg]

I have a cheap savage .204 and it shoots 1/2 groups when i do my part. I load my own and its a very cheap. Almost no recoil and i do enjoy seeing the red mist of hits on gophers. Nothing wrong with the 22-250 but it seems to me that the 204 does nearly everything the 250 does for less money less recoil. Only problem might be that not every rifle manufacturer makes a varmint rifle in .204 (wish browning xbolt came in this calibre)

[JohninAB]

Own both, 22-250 is bit cheaper to shoot as can get the white box 40 round pack for $34 at Cabelas. Best price I found on 204 is $20 for 20 rounds. 204 has less recoil and bit quieter. For all intensive purposes on blasting yotes at normal distances not much difference as if calling yotes most shots are 200 yards and in. 204 is a bit more fur friendly whereas the 22-250 can tear a hide up. If I was only going to have one I would go 22-250 based on ammo price, ammo availability as can find it at more locations than the 204 and the ability to shoot a heavier bullet.

[redranger15]

I sold my 22-250 and got a .204. Love it, way less recoil and it flat out hammers the yotes. Not many people that shoot one don't like it. We have four in the family and not one of us would give them up over a 22-250.

[H380]

dammit.. thought i had it figured out..

why does he wish he had a 250?

he feels he doesn't have the same range I do .. this coming from him , not me . As a matter of fact he refuses to shoot it in much wind because of the drift . Can't figure everyone on here talking about extra recoil of the 250 . What recoil ??:thinking-006:

[Findal]

From the Chuck Hawks recoil table:

Rifle Weight,Recoil Energy, Recoil Velocity
204 Ruger (33 at 4225) 8.5 2.6 4.4
VS
.22-250 Rem. (55 at 3600) 8.5 4.7 6.0

While it is true that this is not much recoil compared to large calibre hunting rifles, there is some difference. When you are thinking about what this recoil does mean remember that likely you are at high power scope magnification and the difference may be seeing your shot hit or not.

[Jeromeo]

Ballistic coefficient in general will be a little bit higher on .224 diameter bullets. That being said, the 22-250 is less susceptible to wind drift. It also retains energy and velocity a little better than the .204 because of the higher ballistic coefficient.

The muzzle jump is noticeable with the 22-250, so you might find it difficult to watch what you are shooting at, through the scope, directly after the shot.. Recoil on both is extremely minimal.
I would personally go with the 22-250 or .223

[Kale_M]

Ballistic coefficient in general will be a little bit higher on .224 diameter bullets. That being said, the 22-250 is less susceptible to wind drift. It also retains energy and velocity a little better than the .204 because of the higher ballistic coefficient.

All the ballistic tables I have seen say the .204 is better at bucking the wind (39gr bullets) then the 22-250. And other then one bullet on the federal ballistic tables, it has more energy as well

[waterhaulerhunter]

I just looked at the hornady ammo website, and the .204 has better ballistics in both energy and velocity out to 500yds. Both of them shooting the 40gr vmax bullet. The .204 is just slightly flatter aswell. Pretty tough to beat that especially when you can watch the bullet hit with the .204

[catnthehat]

Strange thing is , we have seen at the range many times when the 204's get blown around at 500 more than the .22's.

The guys shooting the 204's are not newbies, either.

The 22/250, can get way further out than the 204 can as well, if a person is into that sort of thing.
Cat

[H380]

From the Chuck Hawks recoil table:

Rifle Weight,Recoil Energy, Recoil Velocity


While it is true that this is not much recoil compared to large calibre hunting rifles, there is some difference. When you are thinking about what this recoil does mean remember that likely you are at high power scope magnification and the difference may be seeing your shot hit or not. Interesting .. Iwas just wondering what Cat would say about wind drift and now I know .

[HunterDave]

dammit.. thought i had it figured out..

I went through all this a couple of years ago when I was deciding on what caliber rifle to buy as a dedicated yote rifle. I read through many, many threads on here from people asking the same question and I'll tell you what.......it all depends on who is posting at the time.....lol!

I decided on the 22-250 (204 was a close second) but I can't remember exactly why. I think being able to find a good used rifle at a reasonable price was a factor though. :)

[summit151]

have you looked at the 220 swift? i have been looking at one but cant pick between the 204 or 22 250 or 220 swift

[Dr. Phil A]

recoil difference between the two?

TC Pro Hunter stock is designed to reduce recoil by 43% so it shoots like a 22mag. Like someone already said you can watch what you shoot. With a 50mm scope it is like HD TV.

Shot a pigeon the other day and watched it explode and land on the ground.

It is not a gun that you forget to take your ear plugs with as it just as noisy as the 22 250.

[catnthehat]

have you looked at the 220 swift? i have been looking at one but cant pick between the 204 or 22 250 or 220 swift
I really think the 204 belongs with the .223 class of varmint cartridges instead of the larger cased ones like the 22/250 and the swift, but there are many who disagree.
That being said, i know several well known writers and shooters whose favourite coyote rig is/was the 22/250, Ross Seyfried for one....
Cat

[catnthehat]

Interesting .. Iwas just wondering what Cat would say about wind drift and now I know .
The difference , of course is when the guys shooting the .22's start using those very long, high BC bullets out of those fast twist rifles - that is when the
22's start to shine.
Cat

[Dr. Phil A]

If the wind is high when I head out I opt for my Rem 700 SPS HB 243. 58 gr Vmax does the trick. Only problem with this gun is that it needs wheels to get around.

[LacLaBicheNS]

thanks again for the input.. I am leaning towards a 22-250.. why? becase its hard to get a decent priced rifle in a 204. Seems the cheaper guns offer the 22-250 but not the 204.

really trying to get this gun cheap. savage axis package is looking good.

[dogslayer403]

thanks again for the input.. I am leaning towards a 22-250.. why? becase its hard to get a decent priced rifle in a 204. Seems the cheaper guns offer the 22-250 but not the 204.

really trying to get this gun cheap. savage axis package is looking good.

go for the best deal if thats what your looking for because you will be happy with either cal. in my opinion.

[HunterDave]

go for the best deal if thats what your looking for because you will be happy with either cal. in my opinion.

x2 Nothing like doing your homework before buying though.

[Kale_M]

T/C Venture. in .204. Under $700 for gun and scope.

[super7mag]

The venture in any cal is a better option then the axis. If you want a savage atleast get a model with the accu trigger.

[Dean2]

I have both the 204 and 22-250. If I could only have one gun for a dedicated coyote rig the 22-250 wins hands down. If I wanted a gun for double duty, yotes and gophers, the 204 is a better choice.

The Stevens guns, made by Savage, are under $400, are accurate as all get out and well built. Personally I would spend a little more and get the Savage Weather Warrior in stainless as I like stainless for the cold and snow. Best of luck.

[trigger7mm]

I have a Savage .204 and love it. I do a lot of coyote calling, and it works excellent. I have shot 55 coyotes with it since I got it last winter. I'll never change.

[gube]

Either one would be an excellent choice. The 22-250 and the 204 are basically ballistic twins, with the 204 using approx 1/3 less powder. If you re-load and plan to use it a lot for p-dogging and chasing yotes, the 204 would have the edge. If you are just looking to smack a few yotes and don't re-load, the 22-250 would be my preference due to cost and availability of factory ammo.
I re-load and do a lot of p-doggin so ended up with the 204 (now 3 of them) and would never give them up.