In the 223 class of cartridges, I would pick the 204 over the 17rem and 223. I shoot them all out of bolt guns. The 17 rem is a 20gr vmax going 4300fps. It is a laser beam out to 400yds, but wind kicks it’s ass. The 223 can get close to 204 performance, but not quite, but brass and bullets are cheap and plentiful. The 204 is much like shooting a 22-250 performance wise. Mine shoots a 32gr vmax at just under 4000fps, and I’ve made consistent shots on prairie dogs out to 600 yards. There may be some wildcats out there that can do better, but my vote goes to 204 Ruger.


JTD