Savage 110 in 204 Ruger or Win Coyote 223 WSSM ??

S

Stealth1959

New member
I am looking at getting a smaller cal rifle for yotes and bobcats. Here is what I am looking at:

Savage package deal (will replace scope ASAP)in 204 Ruger and a Win Coyote Stainless in 223 WSSM.

I have a 7MM WSM in the Coyote Stainless and it's super accurate with factory ammo so I am familiar with the Coyote platform.

I have to admit that I know very little about the 204 Ruger and how it compares (if at all) against the .223 WSSM. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I haven't heard a lot of great things about the .223 WSSM but I don't think that I've heard anything bad about the .204. The only advantage that I see that .223 WSSM would have over the .204 is that ability to shoot heavier bullets.
 
There is gonna be alot of negativity around the internet about the 223wssm. Winchester had some serious problems with earlier versions and the reputation was built before they fixed the problem.

I had one of the earlier Win Coyotes in 223wssm and it was a nightmare. Groups would have been as good looking down the barrel with no scope. I sent it back to Winchester (once upon a time when there was a Winchester) and 7 months later they sent me a brand new Coyote in 223wssm. It shoots reasonably well but is a bit picky with certain loads. I have shot a few group under an inch but most right at it or just slightly over (not terrible for a factory rifle; I am amazed at most claims of benchrest precision with $400 guns /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif). Moral of this part of the story: Don't be afraid of the 223wssm.

As far as the two caliber comparison... The 223wssm was made to be the KING of the .22 centerfiers. Thats what it is! Cronagraphed volocities were always a good bit higher than my friends 220swift. With the speed you get the compression--->noise! This was my turnoff to the rifle (been sitting idle in the safe for a LONG time). Report is a bit louder than a 25/06 (to me that's awfull lot to kill little critter).

The 204 is a neat chambering. I have grown to like it but it just does not have the punch (when shooting BIGGER stuff) that a 22-250 & above have. However, it has a more pleasent report (a bit louder than 223Rem) and is one heck of a groundhog gun IMO.

It's all in what you want. Plug the numbers in a ballistics program and see what suits you best. Just pay attention to the drift, or you'll get caught in the "hype".
 
Thanks!!

I get to hunt in S. Texas and was mainly wanting a light recoiling gun for yotes and bobcats out to 200 yards.

I have a .243 WSSM that's a nice shooter with 75 grain V-Max ammo that I buy from Reed's in Oklahoma. Reed's also makes several loadings for the 223 WSSM.

I have found a stainless Savage in .204 that is looking pretty enticing. I have three model 70's (300WSM, 7mmWSM and the 243 WSSM). I have never shot a Savage but I hear some good things about them.
 
I was going to buy a 223 wssm until I read the load data for it. Page 209 of Hornadys 7th edition, list the load data for the 233 wssm. Third paragraph has some very bad news. It states, The throat of the rifle showed significant erosion after only 350 rounds. It may be a hard hitter, but it is also hard on barrels.
 
.204 +1 thats a cartridge that is gonna be around for a while. The .223 wssm is gonna be short lived I'm afraid.
 
Coleridge, I also am truely amazed at the how people can outshoot most benchrest guns with a $400 rifle alot of them do it with a a 150$ scope too! Read someone the other day flatly state that he could shoot quarter inch groups "all day long". Truely a wasted talent. Stealth I have not heard good things about the 223 wssm. To pick I'd choose the 204 also would lean to slightly larger. Denny
 
The 204 is a awesome predator gun & will drop coyotes & bobcats at 200yds with no problem. I have a Mark II Ruger 204 with a Timmney trigger. There are many good 204 guns here are a few: Savage, CZ, Howa, & Ruger has a new model called Hawkeye that has an improved trigger from the old Mark II. That was why I had a Timmney put in it. I personally prefer shooting the 40gr bullets by Hornady. My hunting partner has a Savage 204 & he loves it. Savage comes with an Accu-trigger. I would recommed shooting one first, if you don't like the accu-trigger you can have a different style trigger installed. You will not be disappointed with the 204! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Last edited:
If your looking for a light rifle that will shoot as flat as a 22-250 or 220 swift with no recoil the 204 is the ticket.

Mine won't shoot 1/4 inch groups, but does nice dime sized groups. Recoil is low enough that you can watch your hits in the scope.

I paid $500.00 bucks for this rifle and sorry to say I don't have a $150 buck scope on it. It's a $75.00 used Tasco 8 by 32 target scope I found at a pawn shop.

CZ52720440grHorn09-09-063.jpg


This group is actually five shots.

CZ5272040909061.jpg


Here's the little beauty that does that. It's a CZ 527 Varmint in 204 with that old ugly Tasco.

CZ527-204-2.jpg


I've got Rugers and Remingtons and this gun simply outshoots them all.
 
My cousing has a Win in 223 WSSM, and it is his only bobcat/coyote rifle. He likes his a lot-no problems (his is 2 years old if it matters).

As for the 204, if you ever plan on prairie dog shooting, you want the 204-it's my favorite by far.
 
Have no experience with the .204 - I do have a Win. M-70 Ultimate Shadow in .223 WSSM. I've only put about 150 rounds through it so far, but it shows promise in the accuracy department (a bit under an inch so far best group with 60 gr. V-max). I got a really good deal on it, so my son and I both have one. We'll know in a few years whether the barrel life is going to be a problem. I use mine for coyote/predator calling, no all-day prairie dog shooting sessions here in Alabama, so by the time I wear a barrel out I think I'll have gotten my $350 worth out of the gun. I'm not pushing the very upper limits of the the cartridge with my loads thus far - probably about .22-250 velocities, which is plenty good enough for my use. I like the short action platform rifle, and it's short, light, and handy for a walking gun.
 
The 204 wins against the Win 223 WSSM hands down. Not as loud, super flat, you can see the impacts through the scope, choice of bullets have increased and will continue to increase, and the accuracy of 1/2" or better is quite common. To me this one is a "no brainer".
For yotes and bobcats out to 200 yds the 35 gr berger will give you a small entrance hole, no exit, and insides will be like jello. Bang, flop, done.
 
Back
Top