204 ruger for small game?

Call_to_Arms

Call_to_Arms

CGN Regular
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Location
Oshawa, Ontario
Hey guys.
I've been looking for a varmint rig for a while now and I just got offered a nef handi-rifle in 204 ruger with a big price of glass on it. I read up on the calibre and it sounds like an awesome coyote round but the YouTube videos I see of guys hitting rabbits and prairie dogs with one only leaves hamburger meat and pink mist. I may want to eat some of the game I take, is there a load that will leave them whole? Has anyone experimented with this already? Its hard to.imagine a 35 grain .20 calibre bullet being overkill, but 4200ft/s will do that.
 
Head shots on bunnies. The velocity of those rounds are violently explosive on small edible things. Of course you could always eat the rump roasts from a chest shot coyote.
 
I don't know of any factory load in the 204R that would work for what your asking. I have some reduced loads worked up for the 204 that I use when I don't want to shoot the head right off a beaver when doing nuisance control work. I've never tried them on small game although.
 
A look at the 204 ruger forums .. ht p://w w w.rugerhunting.com/forum/ .. will show you what the .204 does to rabbits. Its popular down under for pest control but unless its a head shot, there isn't much left to salvage.
 
speed isn't everything with the 204R. its the absolute lack of recoil or muzzle jump that makes it perfect for varmints.

Why explode an animal if you cant see it in real time.
 
Are you wanting to eat the rabbits or did you have any other game in mind? Bullet selection is limited to mostly frangible bullets. One might try hornadys sp 45 gr with a reduced load. A 22 hornet might be a better bet though.
 
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