204 opnions
- Thread starter fuel80guy
- Start date
I found the 204 to be a good yote rifle - little lacking in range - but when im shooting in fields in south Alberta with houses relatively near by (1/2 mile or more) - I prefer it to a 243 which I tend to see more deflections off into the distance.
The 204 tends to stop or bust up if it hits dirt or ice. I also like it as you an always track your shot.
It depends on your situation - in south Alberta field shooting for example - ranges are long, unless you can call them in. In bush/field areas, ranges can be a lot less and the 204 is perfect.
The 204 tends to stop or bust up if it hits dirt or ice. I also like it as you an always track your shot.
It depends on your situation - in south Alberta field shooting for example - ranges are long, unless you can call them in. In bush/field areas, ranges can be a lot less and the 204 is perfect.
Real experience tends to silence the naysayers.The 204 is a wonderful little cartridge.
Yawn
I trust you're aware that saying the .204 is a good cartridge for the job does NOT mean that other cartridges are not. I don't think anyone will claim that the .22-250 (or any of a host of others) will not reliably provide 'dirt naps for dogs' (since we seem to be on the topic of being sleepy
) But its not the only one, by far.Still not sure what you're driving at, but B-78 has taken more than a single coyote with his .204. If you have further doubts, I suggest you take a look at some of the results on the Predator Hunt Canada website or at Predator Masters. Plenty of coyotes taken with the .204. Plenty more with the .17 Rem, if you want to go smaller still. These small centerfires are quite capable of reliably killing coyotes.
I have personally taken over 70 coyotes with the .204 and 35gr Berger hand loads and it works awesome. On predator hunt Canada some guys on there take over 100 a year using this caliber. So it is more then capable of killing coyotes effectively. Most guys can't take the time to get out of their trucks or off the road to shoot coyotes so they need a larger caliber.
Looks like I might have started a little argument. I'm not saying that the 22-250 is not just as capable of killing coyotes as the 204. But Dogleg by the amount of blood on some of the coyotes in your pics there is some nasty holes in them coyote pelts that need to be sewed. I hate wasting my time sewing coyote pelts so I shoot a 204. Even if your selling the coyotes in the whole the buyer will know he still has to sew and will offer less money. I've stated lots of times if I just need to kill a coyote to help out with livestock predatation and am not worried about the pelt my 6mm is way more capable than my 204 or 22-250.
Go ahead and buy a 204. Hunt for a year, and if you don't like it, put it up on the EE. The only opinion that matters is yours. So what if you lose out on a hundred bucks, you'll have fun doing it, a night out on the town will cost you than that.
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
I say bring the hammer!!! .243!!!!!!! Hides these days aren't with a pinch of sh*! anyways. About the only thing that is better about the .204 is you may retain the sight picture after recoil to watch the coyotes get hit and which way they run after the hit from the .204. LOL ( sorry .204 guys)
Now the .243... if you hit the coyotes you wont need to watch because it will be DRT!!!! The .243 is effective on coyotes out to 600yrds and is less effected by the wind!
Plus the .243 makes a great dual purpose caliber, easy and cheap to load up or down for and a great starter caliber for smaller framed or new hunters for larger game.
Why tap them with the .204 when you can hammer them with the .243?????
JMO!
Now the .243... if you hit the coyotes you wont need to watch because it will be DRT!!!! The .243 is effective on coyotes out to 600yrds and is less effected by the wind!
Plus the .243 makes a great dual purpose caliber, easy and cheap to load up or down for and a great starter caliber for smaller framed or new hunters for larger game.
Why tap them with the .204 when you can hammer them with the .243?????
JMO!
angrysoldier
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- under your bed
Ive only shot them with a 22-250 and it was quick but messy. exits holes so big i could put my fists in them. now you guys have me thinking i need a 204. i hunt in new brunswick clear cuts and my longest shot may be 250 meters maybe 300 in a big cut. What brand of 204 cal rifle do you guys suggest?
I prefer a rifle with a detachable mag for calling coyotes. I make up to 5 or 6 stands in a morning and it is a pain to fumble with loose shells in -40C. I have 2 204s that I will never part with, if I'm using my truck to go from stand to stand I take my Sako Varmint laminate. If I'm using snowmobile I take my Browning Varmint Stainless stalker. I will hopefully be using the money from those $100 coyote pelts and be ordering a custom Cooper in the New Year.
pickeringchris
Regular
- Location
- Pickering Ontario
I am new to firearms but have done a crap load of research on many of the smaller centerfires before deciding on the 204. Spend an hour on youtube and the 204 will impress. I ordered a Tikka varmint. I chose the Tikka based on its reputation for out of the box accuracy and because it was available in south paw.
I've got a .17 Rem as well. Guess what? Its less gun than the .204.
Some do, I quit at the .338.
The .204 is easy enough gun using the proper bullet weight. Don't use a 32 gr. on dogs, its too fast and splashes. I only use 39 gr. Blitzkings (good luck finding them in Canada right now) A .204 has no problem taking dogs out to 500 yards. Not only does the .204 drop varmint in their tracks you can see the impact through the scope, can't do that with the .243. Dont get me wrong the .243 is great Its my other go to coyote gun its just harder on fur and much more recoil. Here is some .204 carnage.
