Malinois Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) Basically I only have the funds for one of these. Mainly for rabbits, crows, magpies and foxes. Rabbits are not for eating just for vermin control for the farmer. Which would you get as I have slots for them all? Ian P.S. I can reload. Edited August 11, 2016 by Malinois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foosa Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 .204 for me, I have .204 and .223 for fox and crows and both are capable calibres but I find the .204 nicer to use, less muzzle flip, noise (moderated) and has the edge on accuracy for me, also reloadable and will do what the hmr will and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinois Posted August 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Cheers. Noise is a consideration. How much difference is there between the.204 and the.223? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foosa Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) Cheers. Noise is a consideration. How much difference is there between the.204 and the.223? Ian Unmoderated not much, I find the .204 quieter moderated but that could be down to having different moderators on each calibre, I use a wildcat evo on my .204 and that works well. Edited August 11, 2016 by foosa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Cheers. Noise is a consideration. How much difference is there between the.204 and the.223? Ian It's negligible, they both bang some, but I think neither are massively noisy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 17 hornet moderates as well if not better than hmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA-airgunner Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 I have 17hmr and 223 that i reload i cant judge 204 as i dont have it nor shot it.....so my choice of one would be 223 as i load my own there is the possibility to tune the rounds to suit .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Of those three get the .204 everytime fantastic round the .204. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) .17HMR and .223 for me too. .17HMR takes care of crows/rabbits and .223 for fox and muntjac. If you can only get one now get .17HMR, it will deal with all your quarry list. Edited August 11, 2016 by topshot_2k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 To be honest and without sounding harsh if you can only afford one gun you will be paying top dollar shooting vermin with a 204 or 223 even loading your own you would be better off buying a cheap hmr and a cheap 223 and then replace when funds allow. Shooting vermin with any cf is fun but if you get through a few rounds it certainly isn't cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinois Posted August 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 To be honest and without sounding harsh if you can only afford one gun you will be paying top dollar shooting vermin with a 204 or 223 even loading your own you would be better off buying a cheap hmr and a cheap 223 and then replace when funds allow. Shooting vermin with any cf is fun but if you get through a few rounds it certainly isn't cheap. You make it sound like I'm in the poor house. For each of those guns I'm not gonna get much change out of a grand. If not more. There is a big difference between shelling out 1k and 50 handmade cartridges per month. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 I've got all the calibers you mention, well to be truthful I've a .222 not ,223 but my vote would be the 204 every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) You make it sound like I'm in the poor house. For each of those guns I'm not gonna get much change out of a grand. If not more. There is a big difference between shelling out 1k and 50 handmade cartridges per month. Ian A grand will get you an hmr and a 223 no problem £500 would do it if you bought wiesly,if you only want to buy 1 rifle that's a different story and either 204 or 223 will do. Check what reloading supplies are available local to you and pick which ever you can get regular supplies for. Edited August 11, 2016 by Luckyshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Each to there own!! If i was restricted to only one gun it would be my 222. But my 17 hmr has much more time out in the field. My advice would be buy a cz hmr for around £400 put a £30 SAK mod on it and £50 nikko sterling scope. It will do most of what you require. Buy a 223 or a 204 and you will be overgunned and over priced for most of your shooting. In time save up for a 222 or 223. Buy it, let it be your pride and joy, but still 90% of your shooting will be done with a 17hmr or 22lr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Each to there own!! If i was restricted to only one gun it would be my 222. But my 17 hmr has much more time out in the field. My advice would be buy a cz hmr for around £400 put a £30 SAK mod on it and £50 nikko sterling scope. It will do most of what you require. Buy a 223 or a 204 and you will be overgunned and over priced for most of your shooting. In time save up for a 222 or 223. Buy it, let it be your pride and joy, but still 90% of your shooting will be done with a 17hmr or 22lr+1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've a 22lr, hmr and .223 but the hmr will always stay with me and gets used the most unless I'm after munty. I've had more fox with the hmr than with my .223. I also brought both my hmr and 223 for £1100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinois Posted August 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Some good advice folk. Thanks. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 17 HMR is in no way a fox round, even the centerfire 17 Hornet has severe limititations on foxes. As an all round tool the either of the other 2 will serve you well. if a lot of your shooting is over 300 yards then 204 using the 39gr SBK will have a worthwhile edge in drop and drift over 223, however if this is daytime stuff and you have time to range and dial then a decent scope can adjust it out. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted August 13, 2016 Report Share Posted August 13, 2016 204 of that list for me my 17 hmr is rarely used, I've a 222 that does a bit, I don't have a 204 anymore but miss it I now have a 17 rem again and the HMR is for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted August 15, 2016 Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 as previously stated hmr is a very capable round if its not too windy ive one and have shot many rabbits 200+yds but sadly foxes need to be limited to sensible ranges around 100 mark ive also 223 and reload it cheaply i shoot few rabbits with it but mainly foxes which it deals with no problem mine has sonic moderator fitted and its not noisy like look of 204 may be something ill look at in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe soapy Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 If for lots of rabbits get the HMR, can put 5x10 round mags plus a 50 box of carts in a coat pocket, try that with a 204 or 223 . 223 or 204 are for a different type of shooting, more specialised low volume shooting, which they are great for, but for a busy nights shooting plus the opportune occassional fox a hmr will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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