need advice on varminting rifle

[david]

gday, i got a question that one of yous might be able to answer.

iv got a .17 HMR, lithgow 22, 30-06 springfield (i shoot 150gr noslar BT), 300 win mag
im looking for something between a 17 and the 06 not to sure what. i was thinking 243?

also i was reading on the site somewhere using like 90 gr bullets for the 06 the only problem being i use it for deer and it would have to be resighted each time?

anyways tell me what ya think

[tikka223]

cant go wrong with a .223
cheap factory ammo and easy to reload
big enough for small deer and small pigs and goats yet small enough for foxes and rabbits
cheers
tikka

[Simpson]

Plenty of options available - 204 (better put that in ), 223, 22-250, 243 or even a 308 running 125s.

What a bad position to be in! Having to buy a new rifle.....damn

[Dave.223]

I recently bought a box of Fiocchi 55 grain PSP's for my.223. Only cost $12, so I bought 3 boxes. Why reload?

Dave

[tikka223]

its more of a hobby for me thats pretty cheap how do they shoot?
cheers
tikka

[david]

whats a .204 like? is it between a 17 and 223

[bowrabob]

cant go wrong with a .223
cheap factory ammo and easy to reload
big enough for small deer and small pigs and goats yet small enough for foxes and rabbits
cheers
tikka

I totally agree, a well placed shot will bring down most aus game.....excellent cal.

[Phoenix84]

Depends on the task... Wolf ammo is suposed to be cheap (steel case I think?) but I hear it dosen't shoot very well. If you are shooting over short to mid ranges on mid size game, they could be ideal.
However, in the cases where you have A: Longer range requirements B: Small targets C: Large game (for the cal) where you need to pick shots well, then you may need "better" loads or hand loads.

I recently bought a box of Fiocchi 55 grain PSP's for my.223. Only cost $12, so I bought 3 boxes. Why reload?

Dave

[Brad Y]

a 204 is a bloody good varminting cal. It defies wind better than the 22 cals using standard 55gr or less bullets. You will be able to spot hits in the scope and should be able to nail things a long way out- 400m maybe if your a good shot.

a 223 is a good idea and good for 300m if your capable before they start really dropping.

a 22-250 is a 223 on steriods and will give you the range possibly more of a 204. It would be my minimum choice for any deer work which i dont do anyway. But saying that im sure there are legal min calibers if you want to shoot deer too.

The other option is a 243 which has a bit more balls than the 22-250 and shoots a larger diameter bullet (6mm as opposed to 5.56mm) You can shoot the light 55gr varmint bullets out of it or load up larger 90-100gr hunting bullets for tougher stuff.

You could also consider a 25-06 and there are many dedicated users here too. 75gr vmax bullets for varminting or some heavier hunting bullets again.

I think with a 22 and hmr then up to a 30-06, you could probably get away with a 204 AND a 25-06 but if you want something more suited for longer range bunny shooting, foxes, cats etc then a 204 or 22-250 will do what you want.

[Rumpus]

.223 or 22.250

Had played with a .204 but had to many bullets expand before hitting the target.

[david]

any one got some info on the 204

[Thomo]

any one got some info on the 204

Have a browse through the sections on here, Varmiting rifles, Hunting stories, Ammo and reloading.

There is a shit tin of 204 info on here as there is some die hard fans,

[trevort]

a 204 is streets ahead of a 223 as a varminting cartridge but factory ammo for a 223 is way cheaper. Buy a 204 if you handload.

I have a 204 and just rebarrelled my 223 to 20 cal as well. If you have both the 223 gathers dust, simple as that.

[stinkitup]

I guess the question begs what you want to use it on and the style of shooting you will be doing? If its just for rabbits/foxes/cats then as said above the 204 seems to be the bee's knees with its flat shooting, high BC.

If its for Goats/Pigs etc as well then a fast twist 22.250 would be handy or 243, 25-06, or even the good old swede 6.5x55 and there is a heap more in that gap. I suppose it depends on what you will use it on, what ranges and if you want to reload or not.

[luke5381]

go a 22.250 best thing ive done in a while alltho i shoulda got a 25-06 but theres always another time for that im now in the market for a 17hmr but then i dunno haha but mate i highly recommend the 22-250 i use it for everything if i could use it to butter my toast in the morning i would.

Thanks for listening

LUKE