204 or 223 for Prairie Dogs

Nobody mentioned it yet but if you go to a PD town, you should take 2 rifles. A 204 and a 223 are a great compromise. Your comment about looking for ammo gives the idea that you are not a reloader since shooting factory ammo in PD towns will get very costly.
This! If you're gonna get serious about shooting prairie dogs, spare yourself the deliberation and buy one of each because you'll need multiple rifles for a day of shooting. Personally I prefer a combination of a 204 and a 22-250, but we're splitting hairs. The good news about reloading for a 204 and 223 is you could easily use the same powder and primer in each one, and there are many options readily available right now; but as someone already said, 204 brass is tough to find right now.
 
I probably fall into the category of over the top when it comes to vermin shooting. Last big shoot I took 2x pelicans and a third suit case just for ammo. Had 17wsm through 7mm rum, multi gun is nice. Nothing smokes a barrel like the adrenaline of colony shooting critters with one gun....

I jumped back into the 204 game a little over a year ago, had my reloading room not had dusty brass dies and bullets I'd of gone 223. It's probably going to be another season come and gone before we see parity availability with the 223. Pre Kung flu it was one of the ones you could shoot about like rimfires, ammo came in good varieties for little more than 223. That hasn't been the case in the last 3 years, it's one of the segments that's been really difficult to source. For the time being a properly twisted 223 would be a tough one to pass up given current market conditions.
 
or four. After over 40 years and many calibers, I built a couple of 20 Practicals. You get the advantage of brass availability (223 brass) and the 4,000+ flat shooting of the 20s (with 32 gr bullets). Wish I had done that many years ago. I still shoot 223AI and 223, but not near as much.
Another vote for the 204 Practical if you hand load. The best of both cartridges. Run a 204 pill through a ballistic calculator, you will find the 39 grain 204 drifts less than a 40 grain or even 60 grain bullets at 223 velocities.
 
I do reload but am not set up for components for these small calibers.

Doing a little reading on the 20 Practical. I do like the idea of the 20 Practical. I also like the idea of a couple rifles. Always need a good excuse to add the gun safe.

I feel like a faster twist 223 and a 20 Practical would complement themselves nicely.

I am also looking at the more casual prairie dog shoot when I am hunting antelope/deer in Wyoming or Montana. Although I can see my self getting into shooting prairie dogs as that is some of the funnest times.

I was going ask your intent (IE how far into it you are). Based on the fact that you're going to shoot some while on a hunt (I take it you're going guided on the big game and they have the spots lined up...?) for me the 'easy button" is the 223.

I've used a 223 since the beginning of time, about 10 years ago I bought a 204 as well. For me, I have come to the place where there is zero doubt I'd hit the "easy button" and go 223 for the simple fact I can buy a boat load of ammo already loaded up.

Back when I was shooting them a lot it wasn't anything to go thru 3000-5000 rounds a year. If you have some good spots:) (which I do)
 
As mentioned I would search out ammo first, let that make your decision.
I can't or won't point you either way, I shoot 17's - 6mm.
I like a heavy rig, at least 15 pounds. This will allow you to see your impacts, spotting for your self. I like my6.5-20 leupold but the Arken 5-25 is no slouch either. What power I run, depends on conditions, usually hoover around 14-16X.

I am all about splat factor an "lift". 223 sees 40, 53 and my heavy is 69.
The 204, easier choice ya got 32/34 or 40's. Both work well.
I won't argue with folks, maybe I just don't shoot in brutal winds, but I see little difference in the two where that is concerned.
I was told fore-ever the wind blows the 17's like a feather, a 25-30 grain in a 17 Remington is no slouch and will hold its own out to 500.
 
Thanks for all the info. I think I'm going to settle for a 223 with the availability of components and ammo now. Keep my eye out for a 204 and ammo/components for a second rifle. I am only using it now for when we come across a town while big game hunting. Did this a couple times antelope and deer hunting but do want to make a dedicated trip to shoot prairie dogs in the near future.
 
I reload and use a .223 AR, a stiller tac .204, and a shilen .243 on prairie dogs. In my experience a 223 is about all I need. Ammo cost is a big part of that even though I reload. I've also had to deal with sourcing components and it all becomes a headache with less common calibers. Since I don't think these cyclical shortages will ever stop .223 is what I consistently come back to.
 

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Yes, your choice of the 223 is fine, you mention casual shoot, as a diversion from deer or antelope hunting.

I've settled on the 223 & 22-250, nothing wrong with the 204, well, besides sorting the empty brass. I the platform is a biggie. My most capable gun is a custom 22-250, for dispatching dogs, it's tops. My reloads with it are modest for a 22-250, still more than any 223.

Over the years I've usually gone mid June, lots of 1/2 size dogs. With that, the bulk of our shooting has been 50-200 yards, spoils a guy. I've used down to 'sporter weight' rifles.

Of course a clear 14/16 on up power scope with a good trigger factor in. My neighbor often goes to WY for antelope, I always tell him he should take a smaller rifle for dogging after the tags are filled.
 
Thanks for all the info. I think I'm going to settle for a 223 with the availability of components and ammo now. Keep my eye out for a 204 and ammo/components for a second rifle. I am only using it now for when we come across a town while big game hunting. Did this a couple times antelope and deer hunting but do want to make a dedicated trip to shoot prairie dogs in the near future.

Smart choice!
 
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