.204 vs .223?

[NukeBOMB88]

G'day guys,

I just wanted to ask what people's opinions were on .223 vs .204.

The .204 shoots flatter and faster .

The .223 has a better range and availability of ammo.

Which one wins for you guys? I've been using my .204 for a year or so now and the cost and availability of ammo is starting to annoy me . Would I be better off trading my .204 for a .233? Or should I stick to the .204?

Thanks,
Nuke

[cruze82]

.223! but your splitting hairs

[Igoe]

Is it only the cost of ammo that you are not happy about? Or are there other factors?

If only the cost, then you need to do some sums. Work out the changeover cost. From there you can figure out how long it will take to begin saving money.
Change the numbers below to suit your situation to find out whether it is really worth it from a money saving point of view.

Example:
Purchase 223 = $1000
Sell/trade 204 = $600
Difference = $400

Ammo cost per round 223 = $1.00
Ammo cost per round 204 = $1.50
Difference = $0.50 per round

$400 divided by $0.50 = 800 rounds to break even
Number of rounds shot per year = 1000
Therefore, 800 divided 1000 x 12 months = 9.6 months to break even.

If your changeover price for the rifles is $1000 and you only shoot 200 rounds per year, it will take 10 years to break even.

Note that this doesn't factor in cost of a PTA, transfer costs if you buy from interstate, or your time and fuel running around looking for a new rifle.

Might be a good time to consider reloading. Depending on your numbers, you may be able to buy reloading gear instead, and introduce another enjoyable element to shooting, while reducing the difference in cost of rounds to an insignificant amount.

Ian

[NukeBOMB88]

I think I may look at reloading . The main factor for me is ammo cost , right now I'm shooting Reminton Premier Accutips that are about $1.60 a round , once I have broke even on the cost of the neccesary reloading equiptment will I be saving much ?

Thanks,
Nuke

[Chronos]

I think I may look at reloading . The main factor for me is ammo cost , right now I'm shooting Reminton Premier Accutips that are about $1.60 a round , once I have broke even on the cost of the neccesary reloading equiptment will I be saving much ?

Thanks,
Nuke

I'm pretty sure the hornady 50 packs with 32 or 40gr Amax are cheaper than that.

I reload for a .204r with 32gr Vmax which cost about $80 for 250 (33c each) you could use hornady zmax which cost about half that.

I load 28is grains of powder, new pricing is $50 for 500gr (around 7700gr) that's 275 loads at 18c per load. Add a couple of cents for a primer and assume you use your fired brass

So once you've purchased your press and dies you could be loading your .204 for under 70c, less if you bought the zmax.

Chronos

[yoshie]

I'd get into reloading, shame you can't get a Lee loader in 204. They're the most cost effective way to get into reloading.

[Kater]

The .204 shoots flatter and faster .

The .223 has a better range and availability of ammo.

There's always something that shoots flatter and faster. I wouldn't obsess over that.

Ammo availability is a factory, yep. Is it a problem for you though?

If sourcing the .204 ammo isn't causing you grief maybe just stick with it.

If you wanna shoot more often or more kinds of ammo for different shooting, look more seriously at the .223.

IMO.

[Norton]

The main factor for me is ammo cost , right now I'm shooting Reminton Premier Accutips that are about $1.60 a round , once I have broke even on the cost of the neccesary reloading equiptment will I be saving much?

Depends on what ammo you're using. Fancy bullets can be twice the price of others.

Rough price, but reloading's normally 1/2 or as much as 1/3 the cost of buying factory ammo.

Worth doing if you're more than an occasional shooter.

[twoforty]

The main factor for me is ammo cost , right now I'm shooting Reminton Premier Accutips that are about $1.60 a round , once I have broke even on the cost of the neccesary reloading equiptment will I be saving much ?

I haven't reloaded for .204 or .223 but can tell you from my .243...

Factory Federal Premium Ballistics Tips for my .243 for $30 a box. $1.50 a round.

Hand loading the exact same ammo was 80c.

So yeah, halfish.

[zook60]

I'm pretty sure the hornady 50 packs with 32 or 40gr Amax are cheaper than that.

I reload for a .204r with 32gr Vmax which cost about $80 for 250 (33c each) you could use hornady zmax which cost about half that.

I load 28is grains of powder, new pricing is $50 for 500gr (around 7700gr) that's 275 loads at 18c per load. Add a couple of cents for a primer and assume you use your fired brass

So once you've purchased your press and dies you could be loading your .204 for under 70c, less if you bought the zmax.

Chronos

I wish the 50 packs were still available I have given up trying to find then they used to be $45 or 50 rounds of 32gVmx.

Also another thing to consider is all 204 rounds are of the premium type. With the 223 you can get cheap soft points I used to also buy the hornady training ammo 223 it was about $30 per 50 and super accurate.

Finding 204 brass is becoming a problem unless you reload factory stuff but its pretty dear to purchase.

I hand load for the 204 but 39g blitz king are now over $50c each. Im sticking with the 223 I think.

[stevy]

I hand load for the 204 but 39g blitz king are now over $50c each. Im sticking with the 223 I think.

What's a similar .223 bullet cost?

[scrolllock]

I hand load for the 204 but 39g blitz king are now over $50c each. Im sticking with the 223 I think.

Just FYI, Abela's here in Melbourne has em for 39c a pill if you buy bulk.

$198 for a box of 500.

Could mail order em or find someone local with 500 packs. If interested...

[scrolllock]

What's a similar .223 bullet cost?

Same place as above, $188 for 500 40gr Blitzking in .224.

$10 cheaper, so meh.

[zook60]

Just FYI, Abela's here in Melbourne has em for 39c a pill if you buy bulk.

$198 for a box of 500.

Could mail order em or find someone local with 500 packs. If interested...

Ok good to know, both my LGS and Abelas Sydney were both the same price last time I checked.

I'm going to stick to Sierra SPBT 55g in the 223 $135 per 1000.

[scrolllock]

No wuckas. Was just on their website so thought I'd mention it

[zook60]

No wuckas. Was just on their website so thought I'd mention it

Is that a special they are running or just something you have seen on their website? because none of the Abela's online pricing is current.

Most products have had at least a 10% in crease since they put pricing up.

I was paying $38 per 100 for the 39s which I was happy with. Once it starts getting up to over 50c a projectile it adds up.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

I am primarily a spotlighting for pest control shooter, and strongly considering a .22 Hornet/K-Hornet on the grounds of knock down power with a mild report.

But I am also very interested in .204 Ruger and .223 Remington calibres.

How loud are the .204/.223 in comparison to each other and then the Hornet?

On paper, I prefer both calibres to the Hornet, but if I only get one shot before the report sends everything to ground, it's hardly gonna be a productive night

[Chronos]

The .204 is a bit louder than a .223, about 5gr of powder louder, maybe 20% louder or 6000f/sec louder.


Chronos

[Monty]

On paper, I prefer both calibres to the Hornet, but if I only get one shot before the report sends everything to ground, it's hardly gonna be a productive night

You could always look into a prohibited weapon permit for a suppressor.

(Dunno what your situation is and you may not meet the criteria, just throwing it out there.)

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Thanks for a speedy response! A loaded down .223 might be the way to go!

[Techc]

Can't go wrong with the trusty old .223

[bigfellascott]

G'day guys,

I just wanted to ask what people's opinions were on .223 vs .204.

The .204 shoots flatter and faster .

The .223 has a better range and availability of ammo.

Which one wins for you guys? I've been using my .204 for a year or so now and the cost and availability of ammo is starting to annoy me . Would I be better off trading my .204 for a .233? Or should I stick to the .204?

Thanks,
Nuke

Learn to reload would be my advice - its by far the cheapest way to shoot any firearm. As for its killing ability plenty of deer have been rolled with the 204 and with the new ACP range of projies coming onto the market it will handle them with even more Oomph.

[NukeBOMB88]

Yeah I'm getting into reloading once I've collected some more factory brass. I think I might even save up for a .223 and keep the .204 as well. Because you can never have too many guns:)

[zook60]

Learn to reload would be my advice - its by far the cheapest way to shoot any firearm. As for its killing ability plenty of deer have been rolled with the 204 and with the new ACP range of projies coming onto the market it will handle them with even more Oomph.

If ACP can keep stock at a decent level they will be good projectiles,it helps if certain guys don't buy them in 1k lots

[bigfellascott]

If ACP can keep stock at a decent level they will be good projectiles,it helps if certain guys don't buy them in 1k lots

I'll try not too They certainly look like a great alternative to having to buy a bigger cal to do the bigger stuff, very impressive from what I've seen so far.

[bigfellascott]

Yeah I'm getting into reloading once I've collected some more factory brass. I think I might even save up for a .223 and keep the .204 as well. Because you can never have too many guns:)

Yep can't hurt to have 1 of each cal!

[Apollo]

The last box (500) of SBK's I bought a few months ago from a country Gun Shop cost $200. Berger Bullets in 20cal are only $31/100 plus freight from BRT.

On small critters for pelts I find the Berger causes less external damage with the same internal result, dead.

The big problem is getting supplies before someone else does so when you find your favourite load, buy in bulk.

Have never compared the loudness of the two but since the .204R is a necked down .222R Magnum I would not be suprised if the perceived noise was greater.

Powder and Primers are cheap in these little calibre cartridges. Cases, well save them or buy quality even if you have to wait for the likes of Nosler which are fully prepped and weight sorted Norma Cases.

.204 vs .223 in my view there is no comparison. Each has it's own purpose by design so have both in the Gun Safe.

The little .20 Cal is really magic and super accurate until the wind blows and plays with your long distance varminting. Then it's time to get out the .223R or even better a .22BR.

[Warrigul]

Learn to reload would be my advice - its by far the cheapest way to shoot any firearm. As for its killing ability plenty of deer have been rolled with the 204 and with the new ACP range of projies coming onto the market it will handle them with even more Oomph.

I agree and I can see where you are coming from, for a casual recreational or farm based shooter reloading is fine. When you are at it four or so nights a week reloading really becomes a chore, especially trying to save cases etc or if you intend staying away for a week to get a job done.

I have always been supplied with ammo or factored it into the head cost so it is very important to be able to buy off the shelf, I limit myself to calibres I can buy off the shelf easily.

I tried a couple of .204's over six months and did find they needed more cleaning than a .223 which can be a pain in the arse at times but not an issue if you aren't shooting a lot(most people).

Also if you have a hornet that likes factory loads well and good but many are fussy and need to be hand loaded for which can be a pain in the arse. It is the main reason I don't have a normal or K hornet any more.

I kill more with a .22lr with subsonics in close than anything else. (we don't have pigs and foxes down here).

[southeast varmiter]

223 is based on military cartridge
204 specifically designed for varminting

[MalleeFarmer]

If it's just ammo cost you're worried about I'd stick with your .204 and reload. But having said that I'd keep the .204 and still buy a .223 have the best of both worlds. if you're going for long range varminting a .22-250 with a 1-10 or 1-12 twist would be better than either of the above. If you want speed and a good MPBR the .204 is the go. If you want a cheap very accurate easy to load for with a slightly lower MPBR get the .223 I have moved up to a 6mm for my varmint work now. Better wind bucking ability and predictability in less than perfect conditions. But I do like the .204 and the .223 will probably be my next buy.