Thoughts on 32 grain vmax out of the 204?

[MannyMedeiros21]

Just wondering all of your thoughts on the 32 grain vmax for predator hunting? Obviously with any shot not hitting bone, they seem to be devastating. The problem I have run into is these bullets seem to splash on shoulder shots. Is anyone else seeing this or having the same issue?


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[silasbowhunter]

I ran into the same thing when I used to have a 204


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[StupidLightweight]

I saw that firsthand as well with the 32 on a coyote. Prairie dogs and ground squirrels, it’s ideal, but for cats and dogs, step up to 40 grains, and that splash goes away.

 

[Robinhood21]

From what I've gathered, the 39grain Blitzkings and 35 Grain Bergers are the bees knees for coyotes out of a .204. I had a .204 for a little while and only shot 1 coyote with the 32 VMAX. Frontal shot to the chest made him drop like he was struck by lightening but I've heard the horror stories with splashes with the 32VMAX

 

[AKHUNTER]

I had better accuracy from 35 gr Bergers in my .204. Not many kills under it's belt. I did shoot the head off a grouse at 198 yards. The most memorable was a running shot at a wolf. Dropped her at 205 yards with a shot to the back of the head/upper neck. She cart-wheeled and had no hide damage. I shot a fox running straight away at under 100 yards hitting it in the spine and nothing was salvageable.

 

[silasbowhunter]

I had better accuracy from 35 gr Bergers in my .204. Not many kills under it's belt. I did shoot the head off a grouse at 198 yards. The most memorable was a running shot at a wolf. Dropped her at 205 yards with a shot to the back of the head/upper neck. She cart-wheeled and had no hide damage. I shot a fox running straight away at under 100 yards hitting it in the spine and nothing was salvageable.

View attachment 665385

Man that wolf looks enormous! Congratulations!


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[Schism]

I've experienced too many splashes with the 32 vmax to want to use them. I tried the 39 blitzkings for a bit but still had too many splashes for my liking. They were better than the vmax but not good enough for saving fur.

The 40 Berger's have been money for me with a fast twist barrel. If you don't have the twist to stabilize the 40's then the 35 are reported to be fantastic on fur.

 

[The grunt]

I dont shoot the 32 vmaxxs for this very reason.. the 39 gr blitzkings and real good but my 12 twist barrel doesn't stabilize them even pushing them close to 3800 fps.. oddly so far it seems to be stabilizing the 40 grain boattaill vmaxx which makes no sense to me as they are longer and heavier

 

[kmr1983]

I'm thinking I'm going to try blackhole bullets 35 grain. I've had good luck with his .172 bullets.

 

[prairieboy]

I've experienced too many splashes with the 32 vmax to want to use them. I tried the 39 blitzkings for a bit but still had too many splashes for my liking. They were better than the vmax but not good enough for saving fur.

The 40 Berger's have been money for me with a fast twist barrel. If you don't have the twist to stabilize the 40's then the 35 are reported to be fantastic on fur.

what twist? im in the process of rebarreling one of mine for the second time, the 11 twist currently didnt seem like it was enough for some of the 40s

 

[Schism]

what twist? im in the process of rebarreling one of mine for the second time, the 11 twist currently didnt seem like it was enough for some of the 40s

This rifle has an 11 twist Lilja cut to 22". I have a bunch of 40 grain Vmax but haven't tried them in this rifle.

I also shoot 40 grain Bergers in a 20 practical in an AR platform with a Shilen barrel. I'd have to check the twist on that barrel.

 

[prairieboy]

to the original poster, if I had a 204 that refused to shoot the higher bc 39/40s I would pick the 32 gr nosler bt if I had to shoot a 32gr. Its stouter than the blitzking or v-max

 

[204_ruger]

I use the Berger 35 gr hp. I have some in 30 gr and 40 gr also. 30 gr isn't made anymore. If I was going to use 32 gr v max. I would shoot crows or armadillo's. I been killing hogs. With the Berger 35 gr. Killed that female running. I like shooting them below the ear to.

 

[Bubbadoyle]

I’ve had good success using the midsouth or midway 34 gr hp bullets on the handful of coyotes I’ve taken with the .204. My .204 doesn’t like the 39’s or 40’s either.


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[MJB]

Any info on nonlead bullets.......I hate Cali!

I've got the barnes VG which works for ground squirrels but not so great on yotes.

 

[Bubbadoyle]

Any info on nonlead bullets.......I hate Cali!

I've got the barnes VG which works for ground squirrels but not so great on yotes.

I’ve tried the varmint grenades and they shot terrible in three different .204’s they were shot in. Never even tried them on animals because of the lack of accuracy. If they shoot good for you then I’d either consider you lucky or I’m terribly unlucky. I am lucky though that I’m not restricted to nonlead like you are. Hope you find something that works good for you.


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[prairieboy]

i have shot alot of rhe 26 gr VG at 4300 fps. The name is misleading, they are not a grenade, a 39 bk blows up varmints alot better and works better on coyotes too, all while going slower.

 

[Blockcaver]

Had a splash with a 39 gr Sierra on a coyote. Got it but poor performance in that case. Great prairie dog bullet and accurate as heck in my Cooper and Remington 700 with a 1 in 11” twist Pac Nor.

35 gr Bergers are good for coyotes.

My Inuit guide in Nunavut shot a grizzly with his .204. Used a 34 gr factor Winchester hollow point (Nosler?). Said it took 3 shots to “put him sleep”. That was his wolf rifle and favorite ammo.