All power to them, if they want to shoot coyotes with the .338, or the .50, or with pointy sticks launched by a string. They all have their limitations. The big guns won't do much for saving pelts, and the bow & arrow isn't very useful at 200 yards. I guess the point is that the .204 is one of several excellent coyote cartridges. I have a .22-250 in my safe too, and its a great gun. Good enough, in fact, that I don't need to denigrate my .204's to make it look better. They're each quite capable of standing on their own.
204 opnions
- Thread starter fuel80guy
- Start date
All power to them, if they want to shoot coyotes with the .338, or the .50, or with pointy sticks launched by a string. They all have their limitations. The big guns won't do much for saving pelts, and the bow & arrow isn't very useful at 200 yards. I guess the point is that the .204 is one of several excellent coyote cartridges. I have a .22-250 in my safe too, and its a great gun. Good enough, in fact, that I don't need to denigrate my .204's to make it look better. They're each quite capable of standing on their own.
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
My earlier post was a bit bias. I like the .243 cause that's what I shoot, but anything from .17(centerfire) to the .243 should be a fine caliber for coyotes. The lighter rounds save pelts and with well placed shots are easily capable of taking coyotes to ranges most hunters will experience and more importantly capable of hitting anything.
I shoot a .243 but most of the coyotes I can kill are generally within 200yrds. The.243 can kill to 600yrd but I can't. I'm sure that the .204 can easily kill a coyote out to 200yrds... so I suppose it should be just as effective as my .243!
I feel better now and if pelts are going for 100 bucks this season I'm getting a .204
Cdn1
I shoot a .243 but most of the coyotes I can kill are generally within 200yrds. The.243 can kill to 600yrd but I can't. I'm sure that the .204 can easily kill a coyote out to 200yrds... so I suppose it should be just as effective as my .243!
I feel better now and if pelts are going for 100 bucks this season I'm getting a .204
Cdn1
I've got a .204 as well, a little custom 700 put together by Ted Gaillard. I wish it measured up to a '250, but it doesn't.
I really like my CZ 527 varmint heavy barrel it has a sweet trigger and is deadly accurate. It loves the 32gr vmax hand loaded of course. Kills yotes dead easy to 300 yards. The longest was ranged at 302yards. He only went 10 yards and dropped.
My bad thanks for the clairification
[sarcasm] Apparently you haven't been paying attention. The .17 is clearly incapable of the job. [sarcasm] Cheers.
Incapable no. Less capable yes.
Take a 25, 35 and 52 grain in a .17, .204 and 22/250. Punch in the appropriate velocities in here
http://www.handloads.com/calc/
and compare the 500 yard energy numbers. Its hard to argue with double and close to 5 times the energy numbers, but I'm sure you'll find a way.
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I was keen on the 243 just because I could upload it but I think I'm going to go with the 204 tc venture predator over the savage model 10 predator I was looking at.I've got 2 savages in 223 and 22-250 and recently bought a TC triumph muzzleloader and im real happy with it.
I'm partial with the Hornady vmax bullets as I use them in both my other rifles but not sure how well they will work out of a 204.
I'm very open to suggestions as it gets me reloading and shooting more.
I'm partial with the Hornady vmax bullets as I use them in both my other rifles but not sure how well they will work out of a 204.
I'm very open to suggestions as it gets me reloading and shooting more.
I've got that same Savage Predator Brush in .243. I'd recommed it over the TC. This one seems to be partial to 75-90Gr Factory loads so far, with 87Gr VMax' planned on hand loads
Both my Savages (.243 Mod 10 Brush & 22-250 Pred Max1) like the factory Hornadys'. I do have Vmaxs' & Sierra Bks' planned for reloads, but I'm not concerened with pelt damage at this time.
35Gr or 40Gr Bergers seem to be the favoured round for the little 204R in terms of ballistics and minimal pelt damages. Do a quick search over at Predhuntcan board to get load particulars the regulars over there use.
We've already been down that road. Something like a .50BMG beats them all. As someone has already said, "dead is dead", so having 5 times or 50 times the energy is really not the issue. I'm not really trying to argue with you, but I would like to dispel notions that the .204 (or the .17, or any number of other small centerfires) is not suitable for coyotes. The .22-250 may have more reach and power than the .204, but then again, the .243 has more than the .22-250, and on and on we go. [In other news, I don't need a big belted magnum to kill a moose, either. Who knew?]
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cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
If we're discussing capabilities to kill coyotes the best advice would be try to shoot centerfire cartridges and stay away from the rimfires. Other than that it's pretty much presonal preference and experiences that let a person decide what they like to shoot. I have likely opened a can o worms but in my experience the rimfires don't pack enough punch to EFFECTIVELY put down coyotes sized critters. All of the centerfire calibers with good bullet placement have enough juice to EFFECTIVELY anchor coyotes.
notice I cap'ed "effectively" JMO the rimfires generally are not powerfull enough to be a GOOD choice for coyotes.
notice I cap'ed "effectively" JMO the rimfires generally are not powerfull enough to be a GOOD choice for coyotes.
Ive had a .204 for quite some time now, I'm no expert but of the coyotes I shot the 32 gr. vmax were too fast and would sometimes splash and you'd get a wounded dog. Most guys I know can't get the 40 gr. VMAX to shoot well. Of the bullets I reload nothing compares to the 39 gr. Blitzkings in terms or performance and accuracy on coyotes. By some H4895 and some Sierra 39 BK's and be prepared to be WOW'd
Leave the 22-250's to the old farts..lol 
Cheers!!
