I have a 204 in a single shot handi rifle ( New England or H & R, can't remember for sure) and it seems to get the job done on the few coon, fox, yotes or crows I have used it on. Seems fairly accurate. But I have always wanted a 223 in a single shot as a buddy has one and it's a tack driver. I am going to put a Nikon scope on it and buy one of those yote scope type nite hunting attachments on it.... cheaper than popping for a high $ IR scope or a nite vison one, although that's probably where I'll wind up someday. What does everyone think about the 204 vs 223 comparison? Only need a single shot at nite, never get a second shot. Comments?

Great little round with the right bullet.
If reloading, I'd pick 204 over a 223.

Love the .204.

I like my .204 but have had some coyotes run off when I was shooting the vmax bullets, bought some hornady soft points and they worked better for me

.223 w/ 52g bthp = awesome yote fur round.


.204 w/ factory ammo = more sewing than any other round.




Just an unscientific observation after looking at tens of thousands of carcass coyotes.

I have a Ruger Mod77 .204 Most accurate rifle I own and that's out of the box. Mickey mouse ears at 200 yards

Thanks
That the problem with factory .204. lack of a good bullet.
Varmint bullets ain't made for coyotes!.

223 seems easier on my ears when shooting without ear protection.

the 223 35 gr bullet clones the 204's trajectory to 400 yards.
RR

I have both and the 204 is hands down better for my needs than the 223. The previous statement about sewing more with the 204 is true if your only using factory loads, cause they are varmint rounds made to explode on contact.

Reload for the 204 with solids and you won't find anything more different than a 22-250 hitting bone either.

I doubt I will ever use any of my other varmint calibers any more for predators, having this 204 now !!

It's what the user uses not what the gun does with it !

I prefer my .22-250 over both of them but I really only shoot coyotes with it. I have had both the .204 and .223 and just like everyone has said, if you reload the .204 is the better choice but if you shoot factory ammo the .223 is much more fur friendly. That said, I thought at one time someone was making .204's with the berger bullets but I don't know if they still do or even who it was.

I've hunted with some good hunters that shoot a .204.
Without a question, the 35 grain Berger bullet is their choice for both kill ability and saving fur.
Not sure if there is a factory round made with it?

The 223 is as boring as a soccer mom's minivan with family stick figure and honor student stickers.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/100201698

Found these. I thought I had seen them before. If I was still in possession of my .204 I would certainly give these a try.

I agree, same as a 12ga shotgun and a .30-06 but they do get the job done.

Do it!!

Thanks for posting that link adc I think I’ll order a couple boxes to try this winter

Hey, I hunt critters with a 3.5" 12 ga.…… let me tell everyone it ain't so boring when you bring in a purdy kitty to 25 yards or so or have a fox or yote charge past your set up Hunting with the big 12 or my 10 ga can be pretty exciting. Oh.... and thanks for all the input everyone. Very much appreciated !

They are even on sale! lol

I went to the midway webb site and tried to order 5 boxes of the 35 grain berger in a 204. It wanted me to go to my account. I put in my e mail and then I could not remember for the life of me my password. I hit "cannot remember password ". I said an e mail was sent to my box. Except my spam filter must of caught it and will not let it come to my PC. I get the spam report once a week and I do not know how to get into that folder as my carrier is closed now. UGH!!!! Dang modern technology. Midway is closed with no after hrs service. Guess it will just have to wait till 2 morrow.

If you want to get it done tonight you could make a new account with a new e-mail if you have a different one. If you don't have a different one you can easily make one at yahoo.com or live mail. Only takes a couple minutes. Everyone should have a couple emails so you can have one for good stuff and one to put in when you know they are going to send you a bunch of junk emails. lol

I finally figured out how to get into my E mail junk mail filter.... I released the mMidway e mail they sent to reset my pass word. Got into my account at Midway, got my 5 boxes coming. It was too easy. Way to easy to spend my hard earned cash ! Had to quick get off the Midway webb site …… before I ordered a new Nikon Pro Staff scope for my 204..

About that scope, I have it too, lol. Much prefer my Vortex scopes for about the same money.

Thanks for the link. I used to have a link to buy those and then I posted it on here... they been out ever since. lol.

I have a 204 and I would trade it for a 223, because I don’t reload and there’s a lot more out there for factory 223 rounds, and they’re a boatload cheaper.

204 factory ammo for larger predators will work its self into the market just takes time
Like everything else needing bulk production

35 gr Berger in my t.20 , best I used so far, v max suck bad, splash hits, bullet comes apart on the fur going in

Hey Kev, how often you get an exit?

I have a model 7 .223 that shoots bug holes with cabelas bulk hps.

Coyotes whacked with it look like they been trapped.

Boring as hot soccer moms.

Not positive, I think 2 out of three, mostly depends on where I put the bullet, straight through the lungs will probably exit, high shoulder shot probably not
40 gr Berger I had some bigger holes so I stuck with 35gr berger