204 vs. coyote

[Hillbilly270]

I know there are a few people on here that shoot coyotes with 204.  I have one and do my own handloading for it and haven't quite figured out a round yet.....these things are picky.  anyway, Is the 32gr vmax too small for coyotes?  I shot one a while ago with it and ended up killing it after it ran about 40mph for a 100yds or so.  I couldn't find the entry or exit hole. 

any thoughts and does anyone have a good load for their gun that i might try out for mine?

Thanks
-Brandon

[Guy]

Haven't yet nailed a 'yote with my .204, but I have heard the 35 gr Berger is hard to beat. Goes in, explodes inside, and doesn't usually exit... Quick kills I've heard, with minimal hide damage. Typically I load the 40 gr V-Max, and I think it would work too - since it takes rock chucks apart so well, but I don't know.

Normally I shoot 'yotes with my .25-06 and don't care what happens to the hide...

[ivarhusa]

I've poked just a few holes in coyotes with my .204, choosing to use the 40gr Vmax bullet.  I am very happy with my choice, figuring that the 40gr bullet has a better sectional density with correspondingly better exterior ballistics. It also seems better scaled to a coyote-sized target (in a very subjective way, as I don't have a lot of practical experience).

These 40gr pills do break up pretty quickly.  I found essentially all of the copper jacket adhering to the 'meat' at the inlet hole of one kill. That is to say that all the lead was exposed after passing through just fur and hide.  That was a 220 yd shot.

Ivar

[Big10gauge]

I believe that I shot 21 last year with my .204 with the 32 grainers out to 443 yrds, I had to chase down 1 but that wasn't the bullet's fault, just a poor hit. I may use the 39 or 40 grainers next year after I use up my 32 grainers just for the additional KE. I have noticed that shot placement is more critical with the .204 than with my .243 or .22-250

[tlbradford]

I believe that I shot 21 last year with my .204 with the 32 grainers out to 443 yrds, I had to chase down 1 but that wasn't the bullet's fault, just a poor hit. I may use the 39 or 40 grainers next year after I use up my 32 grainers just for the additional KE. I have noticed that shot placement is more critical with the .204 than with my .243 or .22-250

Yeah, but with those 32's you can hit them at the very back rib and still have them dropping in their tracks with a fragment through the heart, spine, or lung.     I had pretty much the same results with 40 grains as the 32's as far as bullet performance on the animal, but the 32's grouped a lot nicer out of my Savage 22" barrell with a 1:12 twist.  The difference was probably close to 1/2"moa.

[JoshT]

Yeah, but with those 32's you can hit them at the very back rib and still have them dropping in their tracks with a fragment through the heart, spine, or lung.    

Dude....

[dbell]

I took down a quite a few coyotes with my 204, and found that the Berger 35gr HP works the best.  Otherwise, a Nosler 40 gr B-Tip or a 39gr Sierra BK.

By far the Berger is the one to use.

Good Luck!!!

[Hillbilly270]

well whats the scoop........do you have any loads for em?

[bowhunterforever]

Can you buy the 35 gr berger's factory loaded or do you have to reload them?Thanks