.204 Ruger for Coyotes, what is your opinion?

Yote Slayer said:
I have shot several coyotes with the 204. The 32 gr hornady is a poor choice for coyotes in my opinion. I experienced several splash shots on coyotes. I now use 40gr hornady vmaxs with a lot better kill ratio. In most cases coyotes hit with the 40 grainers do not travel far or die right where they are hit. Experience is the best teacher, believe me 32 grainers are great for prairie dogs and small animals not coyotes.
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Out to 300 one shouldn't experience splashes, but if it makes you feel more comfortable step up to a Hornady 40 gr v_max, it's BC at 0.255 will get you out to a quarter mile with a dead yote, been their done that.
 
Bud LaRoche said:
40g 35g Bergers drop Coyote quickly.
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Agree but can sometimes be difficult to acquire. HSM out of Montana makes a factory loaded 40 grain Berger match flat base boat tail that is absolutely fantastic, that round enabled me to shoot the longest shot ever achieved my me on a coyote , at 412 yards face on dropped him, everything came together.
 
40 gr vmax have worked very well for me too. Most shots are 200-500 but they do well to 700. Past that everything I've shot is with a 6.5-284 or a 6.5 prc. Those 1000-1400 yard pokes are difficult even with a 6.5 on such a small target.
 
Taking a different .204 path, and doing a 22-204R on an AR platform with a 26" Carbon 7 twist. Using my VLD magazine setup that allows for *almost* a 2.500" OAL will get me about another 3 gr of powder over the standard .223, or a .223 AIx2. Shooting the 75 or 80 ELDM's or even up to the 85.5 Bergers over 3K fps with Varget, or over 3200 with LVR will solidly put me between the 204 and 22-250 camps.
 

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esorensen said:
Taking a different .204 path, and doing a 22-204R on an AR platform with a 26" Carbon 7 twist. Using my VLD magazine setup that allows for *almost* a 2.500" OAL will get me about another 3 gr of powder over the standard .223, or a .223 AIx2. Shooting the 75 or 80 ELDM's or even up to the 85.5 Bergers over 3K fps with Varget, or over 3200 with LVR will solidly put me between the 204 and 22-250 camps.
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Is this now Similar to the . 222? Triple duce is the parent of the 204 Ruger.
 
I didn't go through the whole Threads on the Post from 2020 and a cartridge for coyotes
.204 with H-4895 and 39gr SBK - GREAT!!!! for a Kill but could get SPLASH from bullet hitting. Best caliber bullet for Yotes, Chucks and PD.
.223 with H-4895 65 gr SGK GREAT and fur saver! Use for Yotes and Cats.

I wish that Sierra would come out with a .204 SGK in 39 to 42 gr. It would be awesome for Yotes and save fur.

BOTH are Awesome Coyote cartridges but lean to the .224 65gr SGK for fur saver.
Reemty J is a seasoned Yote hunter so go with what he states and advises.

Thanks
Len & Jill
 
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I shoot the 40 grain bullet in 204 also a little lower speed longer life on the barrel but then I have a 17 Remington that likes hot loads and they do a number on coyotes speed kills. I've shot Crows with a 17 at over 4,200 ft per second and it looks like you're hitting the feather pillow and groundhogs blow up like a balloon but do not burst and drop over dead. But then I've had some serious Pelt damage on coyotes that I've shot with a 17 I guess it's what you hit inside of them that makes the difference.
 

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