204 has to go

sksavenger

sksavenger

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Central Sask
sad to say.
So im gonna pull my 22-250 out of retirement:)
I lost 2 coyotes in two days and had to go on a long tracking mission the day before that but at least i found that one.....the last two i wasnt so lucky. Today i walked through snow up to my knees and thornbush up to my balls:mad: and that was enough of that.
I might keep it around for long range gophers cause i like the rifle but ive never walked through hell like that on account of my 22-250
 
I know two other coyote hunters here that gave up on the .204 for the same reason. I am not surpised, coyotes are very tough to kill instantly.
I still want a .204 though...
 
I remember last year around this time I was in TNT Gunworks in Regina and there was a number of 204 rugers that were on consignment. I asked why so many with them being this hot cartridge and the owner told be that alot of the coyotes shot with these just ran off and the owners opted for the 22-250's

Cheers!!
 
So... It's not the magic caliber that everyone was ranting about initially??? I personally like the 223, but here in N.B., the shots are very rarely over 2 or 3 hundred meters...

Cheers
Jay
 
The one i found was about a 200 yard broadsideshot in the ribs about 4 inches behind the shoulder....32 grain v-max bullet.
first one i lost was just about the same shot but but a little furthur....same bullet
second one i lost was a straight away running shot about 150 yards. 40grn v-max. I was shooting downhill at it and the bullet must have exited the belly because the half mile i tracked it i found strings of gut 1 to 2 feet long and other pieces of inards. It wasnt the ultimate shot by im confident my 22-250 would have dropped it
 
from everything I've read, the 35 gr. Berger is the bullet to be using in the 20 calibers for anything bigger than gophers. The Vmax and Blitzking are just too fragile to penetrate much on a 30 lb dog. Sneak one between the ribs and I'm sure it would be devestating, but if you hit ribs or worse, the shoulder, it can just lead to a big surface wound.

I like the ballistics of the 204, but I think until better bullets designed for predators become available, I will pass in favor of 22 calibers.
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I'll say right up that the 35 bergers work real well. I have read decent reports from guys using the 40 hornadys they don't seem to be as explosive as the 32's, even some reports of exit wounds. The sierras are the softest of the bunch but there have been some posts of nasty holes (some of the exit) made by the 39 grainers so if you a lev'em lay sort they would work, there does not seem to be a shortage of killing power with those, they are no where near fur friendly.
 
Huh, I guess I am the only one who has luck with at 204. I have shot a dozen Coyotes with mine this year, EVERYONE has been a BANG/FLOP, with 32grn V-MAXs, with 27grns of H-335. Tiny little entrance wounds, and no exits at 20-200 yards.

I am always surprised when I hear that a 204 is not a Coyote round, well it is, with proper shot placement, and bullet selection. I do agree Coyotes are tough critters, but you put a 20 cal. bullet in its broiler room, its gonna drop, enough said.
 
sksavenger said:
i found strings of gut 1 to 2 feet long and other pieces of inards. It wasnt the ultimate shot by im confident my 22-250 would have dropped it
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I know a friend that shot a Yote with a 7mm Mag...same result, dog ran away and left Guts along the way :redface:

Shoot them in the Guts with anything it's unlikely you'll find them ;)
 
ONE was shot in the guts.....i agree not a good shot.....the other two were good shots, one for sure cause i found it eventualy. whats you excuse for those.
Anyways its back to 22 cal for me and the money from my 204 will go towards a new toy:)
By the way....a 130 grn hollow point out of a 300 mag in the guts stops them. If they are gonna take off it will be in 2 wheel drive. Fur buyer here wont buy them though:rolleyes:
 
I hear more and more stories of wounded yotes with the 204.

I have the more gun attitude. The 243 with certain bullets is not far behind the 204 in ballistics. With a proper bullet, damage is only a small exit wound.
 
Anyways its back to 22 cal for me and the money from my 204 will go towards a new toy
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sksavenger, what does this 204 look like? It's a single shot Ruger right? Any pics? Are you gonna sell her? Cheers and sorry to hear of your disappointment with your rifle,

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
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