.204 ruger or .17 HMR?

Question

The .17 HMR is cheaper and overall the have comparable performances. The .204 ruger is clearly better past 200 yards though.

Considering the are both relatively new rounds and you had to pick one of these two rounds which one would you go for?

Answer 1

Neither are comparable in my opinion. I own both. The .17 HMR is a great varmint round out to 200 yards for small critters. The .204 is great at ranges that most can't shoot. If I was in the midwest hunting squirrels, then the .17 get the nod. Pairie dogs out west? .204 Ruger. Coytote hunting? .204. Pest in the backyard? .17 HMR. The .17 is much cheaper to shoot and most of my .204 shooting can be done with a .223, so it would get the nod from me.

Answer 2

What for? Both are good paper-punchers and small varmint guns like for shooting groundhogs and crows up to 200 yards.

Just pick the one that works best for you. The .17 HMR seems to be up and coming with ammo availability not a problem. Still, I think I'd stick to the old tried n true .22 Magnum.

Best.

H

Answer 3

That depends on what you are going to be using it for.
I know the .17HMR is a more popular round and easier to ammo for in my area. Right now you still have to go to a sporting goods store to get 204's around here.
As for me personally I'd go with the .223 if I had to go with a light round because it has the knock down power and range needed to take out coyotes at a distance, and in a pinch it is also heavy enough to kill a deer if you hit it right. Note I said in a pinch only.

Answer 4

for larger varmints like coyote and bobocat, the .17 cant hold a candle to the .204, but shooting rabbits and squirrels, the .204 might have too much bullet for them.

Answer 5

.204

Answer 6

I would choose the heavier .20 caliber.