204 ruger vs 22-250

Both work but both require a good bullet choice. I prefer a .204 for several reasons. For night hunting, less recoil so you can still see what happened. Not that a 22-250 doesnā€™t work, just more recoil. Also, if saving fur the .204 is generally better but once again, need to have careful bullet selection. My opinion is that there currently isnā€™t a mass produced big manufacturer bullet that is any good for coyotes. I want a bullet that can handle high speed, drops the coyote immediately, no exit, no damage.
 
So, I haven't played with a 204, I have 223, 22-250, 243, and such. Its hard to beat a 22-250 or 243 on yotes. I've got a 1:14 twist tikka 22-250, shot about 30 coyote with it this year. Win varmit x 55gr has been dynamite. As others said, a 22-250 will do all a 204 can, but not vice versa. As for the 220 swift topping the 22-250, well, maybe depending on who's handloads are hotter, but I know my 22-250 ammo availability is alot better. Is anyone offering the 220 in a factory clambering still?

As for the rifle, with any of them, check aftermarket chassis support. Savage generally makes a shooter, when I buy a coyote rifle, I want these features. Threaded barrel for a can, aftermarket chassis availability, detachable magazine. And a twist compatible with my intended bullet.
 
I know this is an old thread but I shoot both calibers on coyotes. And my sample size has grown from just a few to over 200...so I do have a opinion on what works, at least up here in the Great White North.
The 204 kills coyotes....but it does not compare to the 22-250 in Drt's. Which I feel is far superior.

For a calling cartridge it's OK...but it is my least favorite of all my setups.
As far as accuracy in my setup and loads it is great.(Best bullet is a 40g Burger at around 3760 ish.)
 
Love my .204 also, I shoot 45 grain soft points all home loads at 3450 fps.it is a great load for fur hunting around here. It took us quite awhile to get the load where I wanted it but when we finally found that special load my buddy loaded 300 of them for me. I just wish that bullet was still made. We searched hard a couple years ago to find more and found a fella out west that had 1,000 of them and I bought all of them from him. I do also like the .223 for around here in NW.pa. we aren't shooting super long distances at all. I honestly do not have any experience with the 22-250.
 
While we don't not shoot a 204.i do have a couple of it's kissing cousins, two 20P's a 22-250 and 22-250 AI. I've killed coyotes with all of them. My 22-250s are set up as open country coyote rifles, my one 20P is set up as an open country varmint rifle and the other as a closer cover calling rifle, each has its place.

Just starting out id go with the 22-250. Nerves, not waiting for the perfect shot, and spinners and runners occur. With the 22-250 there will be no angst that you bought too light of a rig.

As far as the Axis, I'd rather shoot an Axis than sit at home waiting to afford a more expensive rifle. If your buying a package rig with a scope, shoot it to start. See what your needs are and upgrade the glass when you can afford it.
 
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I have both. Both are very good coyote killers. But of the two, get the 22/250, itā€™s better if you have to shoot the south end of a coyote running north.
 
Can't say anything as to the .204 itself as I have never killed a coyote with one. Have owned and do own one, just never put it on a coyote. Not to say that I'd hesitate for a second to use it, just haven't. I have killed plenty with a 22-250 as well as other varmint cals. 22-250 is death on coyote and loaded right is VERY fur friendly or it can be bumped up to use on deer sized game where the law allows. Don't think you could go wrong with either but if you're in open country, I think the 250 would be a better fit. As for the question about the Axis.... In my experience, they are a great, cheap rifle. You could spend a few bucks more and go with the Ruger American but IMHO they are very comparable other than being slightly more expensive. And I do mean slightly. I'm sure you could find the right deal and not spend any more than you would on an Axis. Savage makes some different "grades" of Axis rifles. Some with the Accu-trigger and some without. My experience has been without. When I bought the first one I owned, I wanted a cheap rifle that I could throw in the pickup to feed and check water with and make a few stands along the way. If it fell out the door onto the ground or got beat up, I wouldn't be as worried as I'd be if I had a more expensive rifle. I put a cheapo Simmons scope from Wal-Mart on top, again, not worried if something happened to it and away I went and have not had a single complaint about its functionality! I did take the trigger apart and polished everything I could which did improve the trigger and made it a bit more "crisp". It is not a target gun by any means but I don't have any hesitation at all to shoot a coyote at 400 yards. It will also consistently will hold MOA groups. The ONLY gripe I have which is also present with the Ruger is the detachable mags. I do not like them, never have and likely never will. If they were a box mag, they'd be the perfect budget gun. All that being said, It'll come down to your preference. You DO get what you pay for. They ARE a cheap rifle but they shoot well for what they are!
 
I started hunting coyotes with 22-250 and used that for 5 years. I won a gun in a raffle and I didn't like it so I traded for a 204. I haven't fired the 250 at a coyote since, fell in love with the cartridge. It does everything I need it to do. Personal best with it is 330 yards but I mostly get them into 200 ish calling. Haven't had a runner with it ever. Couple spinners with the 35 grain bergers but they didn't last long. I switched to the 40 gr vmax last year due to the much higher Bc and was able to get them to stabilize with the CFE223. Couldn't before that, getting a little extra with it. Next rifle will be a 1 in 11 on a tikka so I'll know I can spin the 40's. Handloading is a must but if you do they are cheaper than pretty much anything to load. Factory ammo will hurt your wallet around here anyway. My 2 cents.
 
I tried a .204 one winter. And it lasted exactly that long...one winter, and then I switched back to a 22-250. Just had a lot of runners compared to the 22-250. Tried a few different bullets and had the same results with all of them.
 
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