32 grain vmax or 40 grain vmax for .204
- Thread starter Noxcuse
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Tactical .20
New member
If you can try the Berger 35-40gr or the Nosler 40gr.T.20
I can answer just half of the question. The 32 gn. Vmax is unbelievable on P-dogs. From all the posts I have read they are a little light for yotes, will create what they call splash (crater) on the point of impact on the larger animal. You want something a little bigger , say the 40 or a lot of the yote hunters have gone to the 35 grn. Berger that will get a deeper penatration (but still no exit). Do a search and read some of the posts. Good luck to you in your selection.
Orneryolfart357
New member
I Have a Savage FV in .204. I have not started reloading, but I have shot both the 32 gr, and 40 gr. Hornadys. Of the 6 coyotes Ive hit with it, both seem to do a great job of putting them down. The farthest one shot so far has only been 150 yards. On paper, my 40's hold a better group. I think that finding the best ammo for "your" gun is as important as the weight you choose to shoot... JMHO
CV32
New member
The Berger is the best coyote bullet for the .204. I would put the 45 gr Hornady SP and the 40 gr Nosler BT as next in line.
This is not to say that the 32/40 Vmax and 32/39 Sierra Blitz King bullets won't kill dogs. They have and they will. But keep in mind their intended purpose: varminting (i.e. converting p-dogs and such into barely recognizable scraps of meat). If you use them on coyotes and get bad results if you hit a shoulder, you shouldn't be particularly surprised.
This is not to say that the 32/40 Vmax and 32/39 Sierra Blitz King bullets won't kill dogs. They have and they will. But keep in mind their intended purpose: varminting (i.e. converting p-dogs and such into barely recognizable scraps of meat). If you use them on coyotes and get bad results if you hit a shoulder, you shouldn't be particularly surprised.
Prdtrgttr
New member
Quote:
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
Yes, I have. The 40gr Vmaxes fly ok, but the 40gr Bergers are even more inconsistent out of my Rem 700 SPS. My friend's gun, another SPS shows very similar results. I have some 35gr Bergers coming that I am excited to try. It's too bad the 40grs don't shoot that well, because I had found them to be an excellent coyote bullet, and I like the high BC for longer range shooting.
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
Yes, I have. The 40gr Vmaxes fly ok, but the 40gr Bergers are even more inconsistent out of my Rem 700 SPS. My friend's gun, another SPS shows very similar results. I have some 35gr Bergers coming that I am excited to try. It's too bad the 40grs don't shoot that well, because I had found them to be an excellent coyote bullet, and I like the high BC for longer range shooting.
CV32
New member
Quote:
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
Factory .204 barrels (all of which are thus far 1 in 12, afaik) seem quite fickle overall. I don't think you'll hear of many stabilization problems with the 40, i.e. keyholing, but some rifles have definitely shown a marked preference (i.e. accuracy) for one bullet over another. Some like the 32's, some like the 40's. Not too many shoot the 45's well, and I'd be surprised if you didn't need a custom twist for the 50. Most (generally speaking) seem to manage the 35 to 39 range okay.
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
Factory .204 barrels (all of which are thus far 1 in 12, afaik) seem quite fickle overall. I don't think you'll hear of many stabilization problems with the 40, i.e. keyholing, but some rifles have definitely shown a marked preference (i.e. accuracy) for one bullet over another. Some like the 32's, some like the 40's. Not too many shoot the 45's well, and I'd be surprised if you didn't need a custom twist for the 50. Most (generally speaking) seem to manage the 35 to 39 range okay.
xcrider
New member
Quote:
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
I have a 1 in 10" and the 40 VMax is very accurate in my AR. I'm using a heavy dose of H4895 and if I remember correctly they are at about 3600 fps.
I think the heavier bullet will need to be pushed a little harder to stabilize in your 1 in 12.
Edit: I found my chrony data and the 40's are traveling at 3741 fps
Has anyone had problems getting the 40 g. Hornady's to stabilize, with a 1 in 12" twist barrel.
I have a 1 in 10" and the 40 VMax is very accurate in my AR. I'm using a heavy dose of H4895 and if I remember correctly they are at about 3600 fps.
I think the heavier bullet will need to be pushed a little harder to stabilize in your 1 in 12.
Edit: I found my chrony data and the 40's are traveling at 3741 fps
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