.204 ruger coyote loads

[Emptyhanded]

Hey guys! So I'm going to buy a .204 for a dedicated coyote gun in the next month or so. I plan on reloading for it and was curious about your go to bullet for coyotes in this cartridge. Also what powders you've found to produce good accuracy and velocity. I am just curious about other people's experience with different 204 bullets for coyotes. Any input is appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[2labs]

Good choice,love my .204! Benchmark and H-4895 are my go to powders,slight edge too Benchmark because it meters better.problem is I'm out and haven't found it in almost 2 years.my rifle shoots 32 gr. V max and Nosler ballistic tips really well.groups opened up with 40gr. Bullets, a common problem with the .204. Have read good reviews about Sierra 39gr. Blitz kings ,but haven't been able too find them yet. This ammo component issue is beyond ridicules. Be careful working up loads. With the small case pressure signs come on quickly!

[Emptyhanded]

Thanks for the input! Was looking for benchmark or tac today but no luck. Have you shot any coyotes with the 32 nosler? I'm thinking of running either noslers, vmaxes or Bergers 35 gr. just trying to gauge their performance before I decide on which to develop a load for.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[2labs]

Shot quite a few with the noslers with good results. Rockchucks are my favorite varmant! Red mist out too 300 yards.Mostly use V max because of availability and their a little less money. Looks like your in the Spokane area are you able too find powder and bullets? I can't even find what I want online.

[Emptyhanded]

I can find bullets fairly easily, but powder not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aer212]

For coyotes you are going to want to use the Sierra 39's.

[headshot5]

Check the twist rate for the gun before you buy.  1:12 twist barrels (which most 204 barrels have) are hit and miss on the 40gr ballistic tips and V-max (to slow of twist).  They shoot the 32's really well.  32 grainers will rock the coyotes.   

Also to be noted:  If you wind up with a 1:12 twist and it won't shoot the long 40 grainers, you can still shoot Hornady SP 45's in the 12 twist.  They are a good bullet if you want something on the heavier side.   

[Emptyhanded]

Thanks for the input! The gun on buying is a 1-12" twist and it seems as if the blitz kings are out of stock everywhere. From what I'm reading the 39 blitz and 35 Berger are getting the best reviews for the coyotes. Any more input would be appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T Pearce]

Love my 204,
The draw behind the house is 350 gps yds. If I ignore the wind and hold over which is hard for me to do (possibly due to using big rifles for so long?)
Im shooting the 32's and coyotes are DRT at 350. No sign of a hit though so maybe I just scare them to death?

I missed some beautiful dogs allowing for the basin winds in the past. Now if windy I just hold center mass and their feet go in the air.
2.5x10 leupy that I leave on 6x.
Have the tools and supplies but still shooting the factory stuff I bought years ago.
Mine is a Sav stagger feed sporter, Accutrigger etc. Heavy enough to shoot, light enough to carry.
Everyone will have a favorite type and load, pick yours and have fun.

[b23]

Nosler balistic tips tend to have a tougher jacket than do the Vmax and Blitzkings.  I suspect they likely have a little thicker jacket than the others but I've never cut one apart to know that for a fact.  It doesn't make them bad by any means it's just that they don't seem to open up quite as much as the others.  I used to load 40gr Balistic Tips and 40gr Vmax in my 223.  Shot lots of coyotes with both but the Vmax nearly always made a bigger mess of things than did the Nosler BT but I'd get slightly better groups with the Balistic Tips.  My old 223 is now a 223 Ackley Improved and all I use in it is the 53Vmax and it sure do make a mess of things. 

I know you said 204 is what you want but if you don't already have a 223, I personally think they are more universal.  Hornady's 53Vmax with a G1 BC of .290 has really help level the playing field, you just need to make sure it has a 1-12 or faster twist or those 53Vmax won't fly right.

[Emptyhanded]

I considered a 223 or 22-250 for awhile but a friend of mine is selling me his m77 204 for the friends and family discount haha. I've shot 2 coyotes with it and the 32 vmax factory stuff and he's shot 1 all three were either drt or down with in 10 yards. But that's not a big sample to gauge performance. I'm gonna shoot some more with the factory stuff before I start loading. I can get 500 zmax (green tipped vmax) for around 60 bucks, so that would be a good route money wise, if they aren't too fragile. Once again I appreciate the input, this is a new cartridge to me so i am trying to gain as much info as I can!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk