Can I shoot Moose with a .204? It finally came....

BIGREDD

BIGREDD

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Well I finally bit the bullet and ordered the .204 barrel for the Encore Pro-Hunter. The only thing I was really lacking in the vault was a light-caliber varmint/moose rifle. If the 32 grain bullets are really getting 4225fps out of a 24 inch barrel I am wondering what I can expect out of the 28" medium heavy barrel they are sending me?
Over the years I have slowly gravitated towards heavy for caliber bullets and larger caliber rifles for coyotes. In part to get away from the dramatic shoot throughs that I found common with the lighter caliber varminters. And to try to eliminate the run-away wounded phenomenon that is also common with the yotes.
I have seen some new bullets appearing for the .204 that look promising..the Sierra 32gr and 39gr BlitzKings... and the new 40gr Ballistic tip from Nosler looks like a great Big Game bullet... 300 yard head shots on Moose whadya think.:cool:

I finally got my barrel yesterday.... I put the 4.5-14X40 VXIII off the rifled shotgun barrel on it for now... I am thinking a VXIII 6.5-25 X 50mm Long Range is in the mail!:eek:
I hope to throw some 32gr V-Max down range tomorrow... I'll set up the Chrony and see if I can break 4225fps with that 28 inch barrel.:sniper:

Watch out Bullwinkle... I am comin for ya.:rockOn:
A couple of pics...
204-1.JPG

205-2.JPG
 
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BIGREDD said:
...I have seen some new bullets appearing for the .204 that look promising..the Sierra 32gr and 39gr BlitzKings... and the new 40gr Ballistic tip from Nosler looks like a great Big Game bullet... 300 yard head shots on Moose whadya think.:cool:
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:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

You've been into Aunt Marge's funny sauce again, haven't you?
Didn't mummy and I warn you about that last week?

Edit: Sorry, BR... I didn't read the question correctly.
Yes, you can shoot a moose with a .204.

:p Stuart
 
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BIGREDD said:
Well I finally bit the bullet and ordered the .204 barrel for the Encore Pro-Hunter. The only thing I was really lacking in the vault was a light-caliber varmint/moose rifle. If the 32 grain bullets are really getting 4225fps out of a 24 inch barrel I am wondering what I can expect out of the 28" medium heavy barrel they are sending me?
Over the years I have slowly gravitated towards heavy for caliber bullets and larger caliber rifles for coyotes. In part to get away from the dramatic shoot throughs that I found common with the lighter caliber varminters. And to try to eliminate the run-away wounded phenomenon that is also common with the yotes.
I have seen some new bullets appearing for the .204 that look promising..the Sierra 32gr and 39gr BlitzKings... and the new 40gr Ballistic tip from Nosler looks like a great Big Game bullet... 300 yard head shots on Moose whadya think.:cool:
Click to expand...
I'd change to a weight forward and a double haul, with a 3X tippet and a No.12 whichamadinky, BR.
You ain't getting no bites with that lure ( well, okay, maybe a few "nibbles")!
:D
Cat
 
Admittedly I injected a modest dose of levity in the original post... but I did ask some serious questions... and I did order a new .204... I hate nothing!;)
That whatchamadinky comment has me a little concerned about your self medication levels Cat.:D
 
Of coure you can shoot a moose with it at 300 yards, I'm sure you can hit it. It's the death of the moose I have to wonder about. :D

Certainly would be an interesting varmint rig. Do you get the oportunity to 'test' such beasties?
 
BIGREDD said:
... That whatchamadinky comment has me a little concerned about your self medication levels Cat.:D
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I think he was referring to the new Nº12 Whatchamadinky rifle from Zastava. They are working on a .204 wildcat that shoots a 95 gr. "very long-for-calibre" (VLC) bullet with a S.D. of .328. Penetration for days; should be a shoo-in for moose.

:) Stuart
 
I hope to come to Haggisfest next year Pops... I'll bring all kinds of new technology WSSM's and the like... gonna bring some deer feeders and food plot seed so you fellas don't have to drive around the mountains in your pickup trucks shooting out the windows.;) :p
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Of coure you can shoot a moose with it at 300 yards, I'm sure you can hit it. It's the death of the moose I have to wonder about. :D

Certainly would be an interesting varmint rig. Do you get the oportunity to 'test' such beasties?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I had to buy my Pro-hunter... and the .204 barrel.:(
I get a sweet deal of course.:)
I actually read somewhere that the optimum barrel length for the .204 was 23"... didn't make any sense to me:confused: I have high hopes for the 28" tube... maybe hit 4000fps with a 40 grain bullet? I dunno... hopefully some of the .204 freaks will give me some of their data.:cool:

by the way my Moose rifle is a .338WM.:redface:
 
BIGREDD said:
That whatchamadinky comment has me a little concerned about your self medication levels Cat.:D
Click to expand...
I have to agree. EVERYONE knows that the No 12 whatchamadinky is more suited to larger calibers. I think what you meant was a No 14 whatchamadinky

Sadly, my 204 is in repair right now, but I can say I was only able to get to ~3650 fps with the 40's and Varget (26" tube). More load development is clearly called for, I have high hopes for 4895 and maybe for the WC-735 surplus powder
 
A .204 for moose , of course , but don't take my word for it . Soon as the .204 makes it's way a little farther north we'll read about Otokiak's buddies shootin' walrus's , narwhals and polar bears with it .

Just hackin' on ya Otokiak;)
 
Lets be serious for a miniute!!

NO, in BC at least it would be illeagle to hunt big game with a rimfire cartridge!!

edit, you can hunt Bobcat, Lynx and Wolverine with a rimfire cartridge!
 
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