My favorite varmint caliber is the 204. My 223 does not go out much any more. I worked up loads for my brother's 22-250 and he does not take his 22-250 out when we go sage rat and prairie dog shooting any more. It is loud and you cannot see the hit in the scope due to the recoil. The 204 and the 22-250 are about the same out to 250 yards on a ballistic chart. The 204 has a better BC than the 224 bullets, until you get to the heavy bullets. You will have less wind drift with the 204 since it has a better BC. I really like being able to see the hit in the scope to see the red mist or the need for adjustment on the long shots. We were shooting out to 600 yards on prairie dogs with the 204s this summer. I have two Savage 204s and went with the thumbhole rifle for a carry rifle. I made a Savage 6mmAI for the long range coyotes. Tired of them sitting out at 600 yards howling and laughing at me!! >