.204 Ruger vs. 22-250

[bigkahuna1019]

To all who offered comments, thank you. I have decided to go with the 22-250. One last question. I plan on using factory (for the time being) loads as follows: UMC 45 grain JHP. I'm getting a custom barrel for it and have my choice of twist rate. Any suggestions as to the optimum twist rate for this cartridge?

[scope eye]

I shoot everything in my 22-250 from 35gr to 55g and nothing leaves the barrel at less than 4000 fps, so 14 twist is just right for me, it gets the job done every time.

Tanks Dean

[scope eye]

I personally Like slow twists, and 40 grain bullets for my 22 cals my 223 is a 12 twist I like to shoot 25gr of 4198 and that's good for 4000 fps,
and my favorite is my 220 swift with a 16 twist yes that's right 16, those 40s come out at a screaming 4500 fps + and there's more if I want to push it,
I always here, "yes but they are light bullets and get affected by the wind" well Here's a take you never thought off,
"A BULLET THAT SPENDS LESS TIME IN THE WIND, WILL BE LESS AFFECTED BY THE WIND"
if I want a heavier bullet I will shoot a larger caliber, although the slow twist still apply to even my larger cal rifles.

Tanks Dean

[sniper15545]

I agree with 03mossy this is nothing more than personal preference between the two. I've owned and used both I still have my 250 and prefer it to the 204 Again my personal opinion ;) Dead id dead the varmit does not know the difference.

[bootsmcguire]

I have had a 10 and 12 twist in 22-250 and both did great with 40's up through 60's. I will say that my 12 twist will destroy the cheaper varmint bullets, like dogtowns or Hornady SP-SX and with a slower twist they would be more likely to survive.

[xhogboss]

To all who offered comments, thank you. I have decided to go with the 22-250.

Now that's you've made your choice.....this just popped up today: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=572199

[AROKHUNTER]

That is a good deal, especially if just getting started. The OP needs to jump on that one. Hopefully he will see the link and won't miss out!

[Three44s]

I love them all!

Started with .243 on coyotes, still have several .........

Later I leaned towards .22-250 ....... bullet construction is more critical than with the 6mm's ......

Burned out my favorite 788 in that and then went to .223 .......

Went to .25-06 for a particular long range project ....... LOVE that caliber as well!! Have three of them ........... !

NOW ......... I am running the .204 Ruger ........... and it's a gem!!!

But I have a .220 Swift barrel in the hopper as well!!!

So many calibers so little time!!

Three 44s

[03mossy]

I love them all!

Started with .243 on coyotes, still have several .........

Later I leaned towards .22-250 ....... bullet construction is more critical than with the 6mm's ......

Burned out my favorite 788 in that and then went to .223 .......

Went to .25-06 for a particular long range project ....... LOVE that caliber as well!! Have three of them ........... !

NOW ......... I am running the .204 Ruger ........... and it's a gem!!!

But I have a .220 Swift barrel in the hopper as well!!!

So many calibers so little time!!

Three 44s


Your first and last sentence summed it up for me! If its got a trigger, i like it!

[A_Gamehog]

308Law nailed it,


I like the 22-250 a little better for coyotes, has more energy. I like the 204 better for prairie dogs, burns less powder, heats up barrels slower, and barrels last a lot longer in volume shooting. With that being said either will work just fine on any varmint. I have the most problem with fowling from my 223 of all 3 of my varmint rifles so you never know. I started out with a 223, but was unhappy with performance/trajectory on prairie dogs. Now its my short range rifle and I use a 204 and a 22-250 for the longer stuff.


let me also add,

The 204 with a 12 twist has an ideal bullet for accuracy and performance on Varmints, the 39 grain Sierra BK with a 290 BC, and 3800+fps

The 22-250 with a 12 twist has an ideal bullet for accuracy and performance on Varmints, the 53 grain Hornady V-max with a 290 BC and 3800+ fps

The twist dictates the bullet, when I buy or build a rifle I purchase the barrel based on what I want to shoot. In the wind these two setups have always

given me great accuracy out to 300 yards. Without wind 400+ is easily within the range of possibility. The 204 trumps any rifle in a dogtown, no contest.