204 for yotes

kthomas29

FNG
Joined
May 22, 2024
Messages
11
I have a .204 that use for coyotes and absolutely love it. I've had it for about 10 years and have killed hundreds of coyotes with it. It really excels with anything under 350 yds but has killed some out to 550-600. I usually shoot the 40 grain V-max and very rarely hit one that doesn't drop right there. Only con is ammo isn't always available but reloading components are easy to find.
 
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
819
Location
Wyoming
It's a great round with the right bullet. I've witnessed the 32-gr. V-MAX blow up on shoulders and not penetrate. With the 40-grain pills, I've never seen any issues. Good luck!
 

bigsky_hunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 30, 2019
Messages
115
Location
SK, Canada
I’ve owned 4 different rifles in .204 over last 20 years. Great to 400 and can hold on fur out to 300. 32 gr Vmax are my choice. 100’s of dogs killed with that bullet. 40’s may or may not stabilize in some guns.They didn’t in 2 Cz 527s I had. I also wanted to take full advantage of the speed 32s offered.Biggest draw for me was when I brought fur to the auction. 20 cal entrance and no exit. Downside would be the wind can toss around bullets. As a calling rifle inside 400 it’s hard to beat a 204.
 

TSAMP

WKR
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Messages
1,760
I have one in AR. I like the round alot and bought a bolt gun in the same caliber because it's so fun to shoot.

Great results on fur, which is how I got introduced to the cartridge.
 

ZeroFoxGiven

FNG
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Feb 3, 2025
Messages
25
Location
Attica, IN
Great little round that’s easy on fur. One of our guys ran one for a season and dropped a lot of coyotes using 40gr VMAX.

Ammo can be hard to find and you’ll have more wind drift.
 

Yung6ix

FNG
Joined
Mar 10, 2024
Messages
77
Location
FL
I started shooting coyotes with a 223, 40 gr vmax.. which worked great... but when I started shooting the 204 with 40 gr vmax... I never shot the 223 again.
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2024
Messages
37
204 is a great gun on both coyotes and foxes. 40 grain vmax is the way to go. 32 grain tend to splash if you hit the shoulder blade. The 40s hit them hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

B23

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2017
Messages
1,210
Location
NW
Anyone using a 204 for coyotes?

I’m building one for the wife and usually use my 6DTI

Just curious what your opinions are
I've had a couple different 204's first one was a CZ 527 Varmint model that I let a buddy of mine talk me into selling him and he's been slaying coyotes with it and factory Hornady 32gr Vmax ammo the last few years. Second one is a Tikka compact I picked up a few years ago but haven't shot it but very little. What little I have shot it like most Tikkas it shoots pretty well.

If you're building a 204 I highly recommend using at least an 11 twist barrel. The 12 twists are marginal at best with the 40 grainers. I built a 20-222 a few years ago and used a Hart 11tw barrel and that thing shoots 40gr Berger's crazy good.

I've personally never had a problem with any of the Vmax bullets blowing up on coyotes but if it's a concern use either the 35gr and 40gr Berger's. Biggest problem with the Berger 20 cal bullets is availability.
 
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