Not sold on the 204?

Sorry Songdog, didn't mean you kick your kid in the nuts. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I was just stating my experience with the round. It has it's uses, It definitly has a place in my safe for years to come. I hope it lives up to its expectations for me as a coyote gun. If I can get it to do the job as consistantly as my 250 then I will gladly make the change. But only time will tell that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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I was not either until I found the right bullet, which was the 40 grain Berger. My first 204 was a AR15 with a 12 twist Shilen barrel 24" long. I shot several cyotes with the 32 and 40 grain Hornady with all coyotes running quite aways until they went down . Next I tried the 39 and 32 Seirra with the eame results. Finaly got some Bergers and it was like night and day . Bang flop kills on good hits and the accuracy is awsome . I have sold all my AR 204's for now and only have a custom 700 Rem that I built last year and with a 11 twist Pac Nor barrel . I will probably build another AR next year for varmint season I have had really good luck with them on calling rifles . I would say that the 204 is a great varmint rifle with the right bullet and twist combo. Later! Alan D
 
I to have not had very good luck with this round on coyotes, shot both the 35 Berger and 45 Hornady SP. Hunted with a 17 Rem for years and had less problems. Yotes are tough sometimes you have to dust off the 22-250!
 
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I was just stating my experience with the round.

As was I. If that's all the harder you can kick, my "kids" can handle it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
songdog, it looks like you've had some pretty good luck with the 40 bergers! I'm looking into switching over to those as well. What has the general performance report been like on the coyotes?
 
I've got my 40 gr. Bergers moving at about 3650 fps and on standing broadside shots, I get about 50% pass throughs, and the other 50% stay in the coyote. I had zero pass throughs with the 35 gr. Bergers and I have them moving around 3800 fps. It does seem that the 40's penetrate more, and the exits have on all but one, been about the size of a silver dollar.
I have had to hit a few coyotes more than once, BUT on all occasions it was do to a poor first hit on a moving target where it probably wouldn't had mattered what caliber I was using.
I've shot a lot of coyotes over the years with my 22-250, and I haven't felt the need to get it out and use it yet this winter.
I have yet to shoot a coyote over 200 yards, so I have no longer range experience with the .204, not for the lack of trying a couple of times though!
 
Ok so now most are finding that the heavier bullets work better. So when you get to te heavier bullets aren't you almost getting to what a 223 will do?. I would guess if someone took the time to look at the trajectory of the bullets available for the 223 and compared them to the 204 40 grain berger I would bet the 223 would come out ahead or very close. Makes no sense to take a round designed for speed and then load it down with a heavy bullet because it won't do the job.
 
I decided to look that up.
Both rounds with Hornady 40 gr. Vmax

223:
Muzzle- 3800 fps, 1282 ft/bls, -1.5"
100- 3249 fps, 937 ft/lbs, .9"
200- 2762 fps, 677 ft/lbs, 0"
300- 2324 fps, 479 ft/lbs, -5.5"
400- 1928 fps, 330 ft/lbs, -17.6"
500- 1578 fps, 221 ft/lbs, -39.1"

204:
Muzzle- 3900 fps, 1351 ft/lbs, -1.5"
100- 3482 fps, 1077 ft/1bs, .7"
200- 3103 fps, 855 ft/lbs, 0"
300- 2755 fps, 674 ft/lbs, -4.3"
400- 2433 fps, 526 ft/lbs, -13.2"
500- 2133 fps, 404 ft/lbs, -28.1"

The 204 retains energy and velocity better due to a higher BC (smaller diameter, same weight, same design bullet). The 204 is legal to hunt deer and antelope with in Nebraska because it has >1000 ft/lbs at 100 yards and does work (but I'm sure someone has successfully done it with the 223 here or elsewhere too). There is less drop at all yardages too.

The 204 does have the option of going faster and flatter with lighter bullets and the 223 doesn't offer that. The 223 does offer the ability to shoot heavier bullets but this is better done with one of it's big brothers (aka 22-250 or 220 Swift). If you really want to compare the 204 to a 224 caliber cartridge then the 22-250 is a better comparison.
 
That trajectory chart is a real eye opener...
especially at 500 yds.. Nearly a foot less drop, and 183 ft/lbs more.

I still think that as the caliber gets a little more "aged" they will develop more bullets that will truely harness the .204's potential on Coyotes. Im happy with mine ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I'd really like to get a 204 but one thing is holding me back. It looks like it's just a matter of time before my state bands lead at least on public lands. They started putting some anti-lead stories in the conservation magazine next thing you know 28 conservation areas are lead-free with more to follow. I can't see Barnes 204 Varmint Grenades as an effective coyote stopper. If I have to go lead free I think 223 is about as small as I would wan't to go with copper bullets.
 
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