204 Balistics from a 223

[Westy]

Hi all,

I'm just doing a bit of thinking out loud here and after seeing some of the results on here from the 204 Ruger.

I've been doing some checking on the ADI site and with regards to Ballistic charts and have found a 223 with 35 and 40 Grn projectiles are close or just a little faster than the 204R

So my question is would it be better for me to build a 223 as I have 2 already to do the job of the 204 or can you see a problem here?

I would be using a 1-12 twist Tikka Varminter for the job?

Cheers,
Westy

[1290]

Me thinks you got it ass about, 204R will be slightly faster than the triple deuce plus 1.....

Ruger has about 10% case volume on it.

They're close in 35 / 40 gr, the 20 cal will have the higher SD for the same mass compared to the 224 proj, and therefore higher BC, so less drop at the same range but big deal...

I still don't need a 20, the 22s are small enough in my fingers when reloading....

I cant foresee a problem

[bigfellascott]

I reckon if you've already got the 223 use that, why not if its that close - only thing I could think of that could be an issue is if it don't like shooting the lighter projectiles.

[Westy]

Me thinks you got it ass about, 204R will be slightly faster than the triple duece plus 1.....
Ruger has about 10% case volume on it.
They're close in 35 / 40 gr, the 20 cal will have the higher SD for the same mass compared to the 224 proj, and therefore higher BC, so less drop at the same range but big deal...
I still dont need a 20, the 22s are small enough in my fingers when reloading....
I cant foresee a problem

Yer I don't think so!!!!!

223 Benchmark 2 ADI

35 Grn ============3851
40Grn ============3666

204 Benchmark 2 ADI
35Grn =============3863
40Grn =============3646


Man that's close isn't it

[Westy]

I reckon if you've already got the 223 use that, why not if its that close - only thing I could think of that could be an issue is if it don't like shooting the lighter projectiles.

Some of the hits with your 204 a pretty Bloody impressive though Scott, this is not meant to Dis the 204 in anyway just found the results interesting and as I'm set up for 223 I don't feel like setting up for another cal but if the result is better the n maybe ????

[bigfellascott]

I reckon if you've already got the 223 use that, why not if its that close - only thing I could think of that could be an issue is if it don't like shooting the lighter projectiles.

Some of the hits with your 204 a pretty Bloody impressive though Scott, this is not meant to Dis the 204 in anyway just found the results interesting and as I'm set up for 223 I don't feel like setting up for another cal but if the result is better the n maybe ????

If your already set up for the 223 and you're happy with it stick with it mate. I do love the way the 204 shoots though, I assume the 223 with those loads has similar trajectory etc?

[Westy]

Not sure will pick up some prodies and do some load tests and get back to you

might try the 40 grn zombie max @ $90 for 500 gotta be a great deal for sure!!!! I can't believe I used that word


"ZomBie"

[brett1868]

1 in 12 is the exact same twist rate as my Sako 85 so you're good there. I'm spitting the 39Gr SBK's out the muzzle at 3654 fps with 26Gr of BM2 so damn close to the .223. The .204 really comes into it's own when using the 32Gr VMAX as I can spit them at 4047 fps with only 28gr of BM2. My 22-250 launches a 40gr Z-Max at 3990 which is marginally faster then the .204 so between the 3 there's next to bugger all difference. Will come down to price and availability of reloading components as all of them are very capable of dispatching varmints with ease.

[Apollo]

You will get close to matching velocity of a .204R but remember the .204R is the .222R Magnum case with more powder capacity so the .223R can't make up for the loss in that area.

Barnes 30gr & 36gr Varmint Grenade's work wonders in a .223R at above and just below 4,000fps. At 150m they will blow the opposite side of a Roo's head off, tiny entry hole. BC of 30gr is .101 and 36gr is .149, tried using BM-2.

Berger 30gr FB Varmint BC is .119 and just as destructive pushed hard....better description is explosive but in a .22 Hornet very kind for meat & skins.

Going to .204R the Berger 30gr that I use has a BC of .156 and the 35gr a BC of .184 so the ballistics are much better than ever possible with a .22 calibre.

Short story... the .204R shoots flatter over a longer distance with the same weight bullet and much higher velocity that a .223R can't match.

[1290]

Yer I think so westy, other than BM2;

223 Benchmark 2 ADI

35 Grn ============3851 {{BM8208- 3891 fps}}
40Grn ============3666{{2208- 3674 fps}}

204 Benchmark 2 ADI
35Grn =============3863 {{BM8208- 3961 fps}}
40Grn =============3646 {{2280 - 3647fps, BM8208- 3754 fps}}


Cant defy physics.... or more so chemistry, more volume, more bang...


just go load some up and report back with results... and pics....

[Gregg]

If you had neither and were tossing up which one to buy you could argue some points either way.

As you've already got .223 I wouldn't bother personally.

Nothing against the .204, it's just not different enough to warrant changing to from a .223 which you've already got.

My 2c.

[Westy]

Thanx Greg

[mausermate]

I'd go for the 204 Westy. If you already have two 223's, what's the point in another. Bit of fun and for those melancholy days when you need a change.

[bigfellascott]

I'd go for the 204 Westy. If you already have two 223's, what's the point in another. Bit of fun and for those melancholy days when you need a change.

Too bloody right - Westy you know you want one!!

[Westy]

Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to buy something so, I bought a box of 40 grn pills for the 223!!!LOL

[1290]

Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to buy something so, I bought a box of 40 grn pills for the 223!!!LOL

Happy birthday westy....

If you do go for the 204, you'll have to put your genuine reason as "because the guys on the forum said I needed one"

[Westy]

Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to buy something so, I bought a box of 40 grn pills for the 223!!!LOL

Happy birthday westy....

If you do go for the 204, you'll have to put your genuine reason as "because the guys on the forum said I needed one"

Thanks 1290 that's pure Gold !!!!!! Sad fact is her in Q.L.D we no longer need a genuine reason on or P.T.A's anymore!!!!!

[1290]

Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to buy something so, I bought a box of 40 grn pills for the 223!!!LOL

Happy birthday westy....

If you do go for the 204, you'll have to put your genuine reason as "because the guys on the forum said I needed one"

Thanks 1290 that's pure Gold !!!!!! Sad fact is her in Q.L.D we no longer need a genuine reason on or P.T.A's anymore!!!!!

stuff them, put it anyway!..... while you still have PTAs up there.

[mausermate]

Happy birthday mate.

[bigfellascott]

Westy, Westy, Westy - why are you persisting with such an ol cal like the 223 when there are so many better cals like the 204 to play with! happy birthday mate.

Eventually you'll work it out I'm sure

[Westy]

Thanx guys ,I guess Old Cal for a old Fart!!!!! I can still remember the Uncles excitement over the new 223 Cal and how it made the 222 look pail and here we go again with the 204 R!!!!

[bigfellascott]

Thanx guys ,I guess Old Cal for a old Fart!!!!! I can still remember the Uncles excitement over the new 223 Cal and how it made the 222 look pail and here we go again with the 204 R!!!!

Come on Westy its time to update to the latest and greatest, you know you want to.

[Westy]

Thanx guys ,I guess Old Cal for a old Fart!!!!! I can still remember the Uncles excitement over the new 223 Cal and how it made the 222 look pail and here we go again with the 204 R!!!!

Come on Westy its time to update to the latest and greatest, you know you want to.

O.k O.k I wanta phase plasma rifle with the 40 Watt Range then

http://youtu.be/BIPCn-aYMoM

[zook60]

You will get close to matching velocity of a .204R but remember the .204R is the .222R Magnum case with more powder capacity so the .223R can't make up for the loss in that area.

Barnes 30gr & 36gr Varmint Grenade's work wonders in a .223R at above and just below 4,000fps. At 150m they will blow the opposite side of a Roo's head off, tiny entry hole. BC of 30gr is .101 and 36gr is .149, tried using BM-2.

Berger 30gr FB Varmint BC is .119 and just as destructive pushed hard....better description is explosive but in a .22 Hornet very kind for meat & skins.

Going to .204R the Berger 30gr that I use has a BC of .156 and the 35gr a BC of .184 so the ballistics are much better than ever possible with a .22 calibre.

Short story... the .204R shoots flatter over a longer distance with the same weight bullet and much higher velocity that a .223R can't match.

This guy is heading in the right direction. Yes the 223 can approach similar velocities as the 204 but the 204 beats it in BC every time.
This adds up to less bullet drop and wind drift at distance.

[Westy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
At 4 times the co$t. now that's a bargain!!!!!! LOL

[Chronos]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
At 4 times the co$t. now that's a bargain!!!!!! LOL

???

premium 20cal bullets are under $30/100

Chronos

[bigfellascott]

Don't tell him that, now he will definitely want one.

[Chronos]

that's fine, i have a good supply of 32gr Vmax and hornady brass plus 300 35gr bergers on the way and 200 39gr BK's too

out of interest BFS what powder do you use for the sierra's? I haven't played with them before

Chronos

[bigfellascott]

Mine shoots fine with either 8208 or 2206H mate, either or as they both work well with the 39's for me.

[Chronos]

Hmmm. I didn't have much success with either with lighter bullets in the CZ. Accuracy wasn't as good as factory hornadys do I tried 220 8 and although it doesn't give great velocity the accuracy is there.

Guess I'll have to go testing again.

There in is the one negative I can see in the .204R is that with such a variety of bullets to try you could easily wear out a barrel searching for a 1/2 MOA load with say 26gr VG, 32gr Vmax , 35gr Berger and 39gr Sierra BK. Pick one and shoot it may apply here.

Thanks BFS



Chronos