Help needed on rifle calibre selection

[Tempo]

I have been thinking of purchasing another rifle. 99% of my shooting has been spotligting for foxes, hares and rabbits. I have a .17HMR and a 223 with a 1in7 twist. The calibre I have been thinking of 204, 220 swift or 243. What do you guys recommend?

[trevort]

trade the 223 on a 204 and buy a 243 or 260 rem for medium game, unless you shoot heavy pills in comps with your 223 it just wont get used if you have a 204

[macca]

If its mostly spotlighting 204 or 220.
204 cheaper to run.
220 more hitting power at longer range.
If you want the dual purpose go the 243,ie goats or pigs are on your mind.
Given a 1:7 twist 223 will run up to 80+gr it will do most things you want out of a rifle.With a decent length barrel it will take rabbits and foxes out past a 1:12/14 twist 204 or 220 will.I use a 1:9,223 as a longe range varmiter.I would consider a move up into the 25-06/257 roberts,260 or one of the 6.5's.All are great cals for dual purpose use.That's if you keep the 223 you have.
cheers,
Macca

[MISSED]

I have to agree with Trevort on this.A 204 for the cute and cuddlies and a 243 shooting 87 grainers for the cloven hooved animals in your area.Or maybe get a 220 swift and shoot all of them

[Tempo]

Thanks Guys. My 223 is a Savage VLP which has a 26 inch barrel and I use 75g Amax's. I have taken foxes out past 300, athough at times it can be difficult judging hold over. Maybe a bigger caliber is the go.

[deadkelly]

how much is 204 ammo & cases & what parent cases can ya use to make 204's ?

[MISSED]

May get shot down in flames but the 204 Ruger is based on the 222 Rem mag.

[adamjp]

May get shot down in flames but the 204 Ruger is based on the 222 Rem mag.

You win a prize.

Most folks just buy 204 cases.....cheaper and more readily available compared to 222 Rem Mag.

[trevort]

how much is 204 ammo & cases & what parent cases can ya use to make 204's ?

the ones they sell in gunshops

[Con]

Tempo,
Sounds to me like you're pretty well covered with the 223Rem if its a spotlighting rifle your after and your doing well to 300yards. Stretching that extra 100 yards is a big ask for any cartridge.

But thinking outside the sqaure ... maybe a Vanguard 257Weatherby would suit for shits and giggles.

Another alternative is to find a used Ruger VT is excellent condition in 22/250 or 243Win. The 22/250 can be re-chambered to 22/284 (dies are expensive though) or the 243Win to 6mm/284 (Lee dies are $69). The Ruger actions usually feed 284 based cases quite well.
Cheers...
Con

[tikka]

Get 'em all, get all three of the bastards.... will make you feel great mate!

[Plowboy]

Tempo,
Sounds to me like you're pretty well covered with the 223Rem if its a spotlighting rifle your after and your doing well to 300yards. Stretching that extra 100 yards is a big ask for any cartridge.

Con

I would also say that you are doing a bloody good job seeing much past 300 well enough to identify what it is! Sure you can see eyeshine but is that a fox or mum's cat(happened to me and she was not impressed!). I would not be bothered about it(the cat) but you know!

[Tempo]

I would also say that you are doing a bloody good job seeing much past 300 well enough to identify what it is! Sure you can see eyeshine but is that a fox or mum's cat(happened to me and she was not impressed!). I would not be bothered about it(the cat) but you know![/quote]

The places I go on I go with the owners very handy on stock information etc and getting around the paddocks. They also have a distinct dislike of cats as well. Although I have only shot one and he was only about 70 meters away. I also will not take a shot unless I am 100% sure of what I am shooting at.

[Drew Jaeger]

I have been thinking of purchasing another rifle. 99% of my shooting has been spotligting for foxes, hares and rabbits. I have a .17HMR and a 223 with a 1in7 twist. The calibre I have been thinking of 204, 220 swift or 243. What do you guys recommend?

For the small game you mentioned, the 204 will satisfy and totally amaze you with its performance at all ranges. With 39gr Sierra BlitzKings the 204 will shoot flatter and have less wind drift than the 220 Swift!

For medium game I recommend the 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 is a mild mannered performer that has similar ballistics to the 270 Win, but does the same job without the recoil and muzzle blast. With a good 140gr projectile, the 7mm-08 will handle 99% of Australian game. The 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip performs very well on Fallow, Goats and Pigs.

[Drew Jaeger]

I would also say that you are doing a bloody good job seeing much past 300 well enough to identify what it is! Sure you can see eyeshine but is that a fox or mum's cat(happened to me and she was not impressed!). I would not be bothered about it(the cat) but you know!

Not a problem with a Leupold VX-L 6.5-20x56mmLR!!!!