204 for yotes

[Seasley]

Anyone using a 204 for coyotes?

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

Just curious what your opinions are

 

[kthomas29]

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.

 

[StupidLightweight]

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!

 

[Skerhunter]

It works - bullet/ammo availability would be the only concern.

 

[bigsky_hunter]

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]

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.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

Anyone using a 204 for coyotes?

have in the past but not currently

Just curious what your opinions are

they kill just fine; the 2 major cons IMO are lack of ammo availability and the increased wind drift with the lighter bullets.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

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]

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.

 

[MannyMedeiros21]

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.


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[Seasley]

I found a case of HSM 35 grain Bergers, and bought these.

Had a lot of people say these were good coyote medicine

 

[B23]

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.

 

[doc holiday13]

6mm- 75g nosler varminter. Straight anchors a coyote without destroying hides

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

It's a wicked little round. I was pushing 40gr v-maxs at 3900 and they killed with violent authority. I miss having one.

 

[MTPaul]

I'm a believer in the 204R for everything from ground squirrels to coyotes and badgers. Bullet choice is dependent upon intended target. Good luck!

 

[huntsman22]

'ALL' of my intended targets get 40 gr BT's.....

 

[Georgedubya]

In my experience over the last few years, it’s a solid performer. In one area I hunt, you cannot carry a rifle of 22 cal or higher afield while deer season is open, so 204 Ruger is the obvious choice for me (as a non-handloader). It works great, but as has been said, the 40s can be hard to stabilize. I have a 10 twist proof barrel that loves them, and a 9 twist Shilen barrel that also loves them. Two friends have 14 twist barrels and they don’t work at all.