.204 vs. .22 250 or .223

[NYBigbucks]

Can anyone give their expertise or advice.. I own a Remington 700 VS in a .22 250 heavy barell. I mainly shoot coyotes and dogs out in KS and NE. I was at a gun show today and I was looking for a regular sporter weight with standard contour barrel in a.22 250 and I ran up on a Remington 700 CDL new in the box ina .204 Ruger.. I bought it impulsively because I felt it was a good price for the gun.. (Actually a Friends of the NRA Gun"). I am not very familiar with the caliber and I don't handload.. Will this caliber perform as well as the .22 250 at long range 400-500yds.?? If so what grain factory load should I use. The gun has a 24" barrel. Will it serve the purpose on Coyotes, Bobcats, Prarie dogs, ground hogs, and possibly on a wild pig... Any info. would be appreciated and well used.. PLease respond....

[salukipv1]

IMO a .204 won't do what the .22-250 can do. I'm not much of a fan of the new 20's or 17's I really don't see a reason to own a rifle smaller than a .223 caliber.....I don't shoot squirrels, and I think if I did I would use a .22LR.

[CalHunter]

I wouldn't use either caliber on a wild pig. I've killed a few and watched buddioes kill a few more. Those are tough animals and I'd use at least a deer size caliber on them (.25 or bigger).

My buddy owns a .204 and says it doesn't buck the wind nearly as well as his .223. I would expect your 22-250 would handle the wind similarly to a 223. Hope this helps.