Not sold on the 204?

I want to start off saying I love my .204. I would not give it up it’s great gun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif. But I shot a coyote with it last March he was moving when I shot and quartering a little towards me not the best shot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gifbut the only one I thought I was going to get. The best I could tell the 45 grain Hornady bullet hit just behind his front leg exited behind rib on the other side. His intestines were strung in brush lots of blood lost must have split him like a watermelon. I never found him blood ended after a few hundred yards /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif. I have decided the .204 will now become my fox, bobcat and groundhog gun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gifand my new .243 is now my coyote gun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif. I only had a few weekends to hunt last winter after deer season ended /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I made about 20 stands and first good shot on a coyote was blown because my shot placement was two inches off or the coyotes angle being a little off just crushed me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. So I picked up a CZ 550 .243 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif this past summer to help insure that this don’t happen again. I know it’s not a guarantee but can’t hurt. Sled Dog tried to tell me last year but I didn’t listen he said he didn’t like his .204 for coyote hunting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif so I’m taking his advise this year I’m even using the Sierra .85 grain BTHP Gamekings he was toldith to use /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif. The next one I shoot is just going to expload /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gifwhen the bullet hits or I'm going to PM Sled dog /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. After we down a few I might consider trying other guns. Coyotes are just to few and far between in our neck of the woods. On the other hand the .204 is almost to much gun of grey fox blows them up pretty good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif. Good Luck Chris,
 
VApredhuter. I'm with you on this. The .243 is probably the best choice for coyotes and the 22-250 a very close second. To me the only advantage the .243 has over the 22-250 is the range of bullet weights.
 
It simply doesn't make any sense to me how a .17 Remington shooting 25gr match grade Bergers is supposed to kill coyotes better than a .204 shooting 35gr or 40gr match grade Bergers....
 
I dont know if you all believe in sectional density of bullets having alot to do with killing power but a hornady 25 gr hp in the 17 actually has a little better sectional density then the 35 grain .204 berger and a much better than the 32 grain plastic tipped bullets. This says alot about the bullet design when a 25 grain 17 caliber slug has a better sectional density than a 20 caliber 35 grain bullet.
 
I have the REM700sps in .204,I used it the end of last year and this year so I don't have as much experience with this caliber as many that has posted but I can say I have been impressed with the killing power of the 45gr soft point from Hornady so far. Not much better fur wise as my 22-250 admittly. I also have taken 6 deer with this round, no I'm not saying everone should use it for deer, I'm just saying after processing the deer and seeing the effects of the bullet I very confidently hunt coyotes with it
 
Im not knocking the 204 I bought 2 of them in high hopes of a flat shooting coyote killer.. Maybe I have not found the right load or bullet. But I have seen more runners with this gun than any other with good shot placement.. If someone has the magical load and bullet please share what you are using..I thought id tried just about everything.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Kerry
 
I bought one of the first 204s when they first came out to use mainly as a bobcat gun it is a remington 700 vls quickly decided it was way to heavy for a carry gun. I have since bought a remington 700 lvsf in 204 and am planning on buying another ar in 204 as soon as I decide who I want to build it. I have hunted predators for over 30 yrs with several different guns, 22-250,243,25-06,and even 22 mag. I have yet to have a coyote run off after shooting them with the 204, everyone has been DRT. I like some of you bought the thing to just hunt bobcats with but you never know when ole wiley just might show up and Im not going to let him have a pass just because I don't think I have enough gun the 204 is plenty of gun if you have the proper shot placement. I don't reload so I shoot the Federal 39 grain blitz kings. All have been DRT.
 
Here In Va we have some big healthy coyotes the runner I shot was at least 35# or more and others I have seen are all big. I’m not saying that with a well placed shot they won’t fall with the .204 I’m just saying I don’t want to take a chance wounding another. I can kill any game with my 22mag deer and coyotes included but that don’t mean it’s going to be quick and clean. I just think, I want a little more gun for those marginal shots like I had last spring. I’m still kicking myself in the butt for even shooting. I should have waited for a still shot I guess but I didn’t think I was going to get one I was to excited maybe. If I had thought he was going to run I would have pass rather than wounding him.
 
this is vary interesting i know a man shoot two deer with it, whit kine of shoot placement are you taking?
may bee the shoot placement is to fare back or not hitting the vitals jest rite? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
i wood like to get a cz527 in a .204 and this is good info.
i have the same problem with the 17hmr for squares i shoot one 5times so i went back to the 22lr whit Rem's Yalow jacket.
 
Hope no one takes me wrong I really like my .204 and I think it’s by far the most accurate gun in my case. I think everyone should have one it’s a great gun, I shot lots of ground hogs at 300+ past two summers.

Call-M-All
Here in VA it’s against the law to shoot deer with .204 the smallest caliber we can use is a .243. By a well placed shot I mean heart shot. The coyote I shot was moving when I shot so it was a little off I’m sure. If he had been standing still his hide would be hanging on my wall because I would not have been off. I just plan to use my .243 for coyotes now and if a yote should happen along while I have my .204 I won’t hesitate to shoot if hes standing still.
 
Probably shouldn't even go here but...opinions are like belly buttons--everyone has one and I'm no exception.

My partner and I have killed about 35 coyotes and three bobcats in the last two seasons with the .204 and 35 gr Bergers. (Berger only makes one 35 grain .204 bullet so MEF/target isn't an issue). We've had one coyote, a direct shoulder shot at 8o yards, that was knocked down and ran off. I suspect the bullet glanced off the shoulder blade or possibly even splashed. One other coyote was hit on the run at 200+ yards and looked to be a flesh wound from the blood. He was never recovered. (Had a very similar circumstance with a .22-250 last year by the way.) Every other coyote (thirty-some coyotes) has either been DRT or made a typical short lung-shot run.

Pelt damage has been minimal on all but a couple (including my last bobcat--a little 16 pounder /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif). I MIGHT be able to find a better fur load than this--and I'm getting the itch to test a .17 Rem--but I'm thrilled so far with this cartridge/bullet combo.

Based on my experience, I'm at a complete loss as to why some people are having trouble with this caliber/bullet combination but "stuff happens". You can always go bigger but you'll risk a lot more fur damage. If fur isn't a consideration for you, don't buy a .204--just gut 'em with anything you're man enough to shoot. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would definitely be suspect of the 32 gr V-max for day-in and day-out coyote hunting. It's designed for graphic expansion on small varmints and it does that very well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif but it shouldn't be considered a predator bullet.



Good luck--you'll need it to sort all these opinions out! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I hunt with a group of guys that use the following cartridges on coyotes, !7 rem. 17 pred., 22-250 rem., 22-250 ackley, 243 win. 243 ackley.,204 ruger and a 223.
A badd hit with any of these will end up with a runner or cripple. Shot placement is the key to clean one shot kills, you miss the boiler room with the 204 or a 243 and they will both run just as far..We have tried most of the bullets out there and have settled on the ones that kill the best and leave minium pelt damage..For those inquireing minds the 17 rem, 17 pred, and 22-250 ackley have had the fewest cripples or runners, why? Good bullets and speed, and good shot placement.... Good hunting..T.A.
 
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I really don't see what the fuss has been over the .204 when it comes to hunting coyotes. Sure I can see how it would be a great cartridge for PD's or groundhogs, but I just think it would be as marginal as a .223 on 35 to 40 pound coyotes beyond 200 yards.
Coyotes are a very unpredictable target. They come in moving, and from all angles. They don't sit on their den burrows waiting to be shot like little PD's, so shot placement can be a little iffy. Give me a .22-250 or a .243 for these large tough animals.

Coyote 6974
 
Do not care what caliber or bullet you use if you do not have good shot placement you are going to have runners at times. They may not go along ways but you will have runners. This is a chevy, ford, dodge argument let it go. That is why more than one caliber of gun has been produced, so people can use what they feel will do the job for them. They may be wrong but they are entitled to use what they want. If you do not like your 204 Ruger just sale it and move on, I think I will keep mine around.
 
Screw it i'm going to start using a 300 win mag /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif found this photo on another site Fur friendly round you think /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

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I have used a .22-250 on coyotes for three decades and I dearly love the cartridge. I think the .22-250 is about the perfect coyote killer, unless you want to go to a larger caliber.

Last fall I bought a .204 to minimize fur damage. I shot a coyote in the foot at about 400 yards and had to track him down in the snow. I also shot one broadside right behind the shoulder, he went down on the spot, then got up and walked about 20 yards before expiring. There was snow on the ground and no blood trail.

The other two dozen coyotes I have shot this winter were inside of 200 yards and all of them went bang-flop. My load is a 40 grain V-Max over WW-748. I haven't chronoed the load, but I am using the maximum charge fron the Ruger Hunting web site.

FWIW, all of the coyotes have been on the small side, typical of central Wyoming.
 
UtahCaller

My comment about the that being impressive shooting even for a .270 is from my experience with a Hornady SST Light Mag load in .270 that just about cuts one in half hit midship and some have still found it in them to keep going a short ways. You must be a fine shot and really wait for the perfect shot before unleashing that little Berger so my hat is off to you. I know I could not match your shot/ kill ratio with a .338 Lapua, let alone a .204…but you are right--- it should be no surprise for such a great bullet at that velocity.

tt35

Berger cut some of their offerings in 17 and 20 caliber a year or so ago…the non-mef match 35 grain 20 caliber was one of the casualties if I’m remembering right and I’m thinking plenty of guys still have some stashed away. Berger will make more if they get an order for 10,000. I’m thinking with the huge popularity of the .204 they will bring it back if I’m right and make them (for the first time) if you are right.

gotchanow

You may have hit the nail on the head. That’s why I smile when I see how many 30 grain non-mef match Bergers I have stashed away for my 17 Remington to test your BC & SD theory. That combo may just be the ultimate…if such a thing actually existed. I’m waiting for the 25 to let me down first---which might be awhile. I've also not been in a hurry cause the 25 seems ideal on bobcats and foxes as well.

If the .204 is lacking in some way, I'd chalk it up to the factory twist not being 1-11 and more heavily constructed 35-45 grain bullets not being more common.
 
Sorry, I'm currently running 35 grain bergers at about 3850-3900. My shots have been up to about 300. I had one runner that I hit quartering away, 232 yards lasered after the shot. He did the death spin and made it about 75 yards before piling-up stone dead. But he was dead on his feet.
 
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