Best bullet grain for 204???

[idahostalker]

so i have heard that the 32 grain bullets tend to shoot the bests out of 204's but i have also heard good things bout the 40 grain bullets to. im just wondering if their is a certain bullet grain that tends to shoot a little better than others. i will be using factory ammo and using them for coyotes, fox, bobcat, and other small game.

[Howler]

idahostalker, I've shot my share of coyotes with a .204, but I've always used handloads with 35 and 40 berger bullets, both of which work great. A few more pass throughs with the 40 gr. bergers, but most don't really ripp'em up. As far as factory ammo., unfortunately, IMO, there's not really a good bullet choice for coyotes since all of the factory ammo. use ballistic tipped bullets in 32, 39, and 40 gr. The BT bullets are designed for rapid expansion, which tend to not penetrate sometimes when they hit shoulder bone. BUT, since you're going to use facotry ammo., I'd suggest using the one that you find most accurate out of your .204 and aim to hit behind the shoulder, lungs, and go from there.
The 39 blitz king bullets seem to be the most highly recommended in the most accurate bullet department for the .204. A lot of people struggle to get the 40 gr. V-max bullets to shoot accurately. The 32's seem to get high marks in accuracy, BUT since you'll be shooting coyotes, I'd opt for the 39 gr. bullet, for just a little more punch.
There is also a 45 gr. soft point that you can find in factory ammo., but I have heard very few reports on accuracy and performance for that bullet.

[13pointjomc]

Either one will kill what you said,try different weight bullets and diffent brands of ammo,to see which one shoot's best with your gun.

[Sheridan]

Both Howler and 13Point touch on all the best suggestions.




You gotta go to the range with a few of the +/- 40 gr. bullets and find out which one your gun likes best.




My .204 Savage loves the 40 gr. V-Max's

[yodeldog3]

just another suggestion bud, I'd go with hornady. I put a half box of winn. through my rugar,,, a dinner plate pattern at 200yrds. went to the hornady,,,,a tea cup, so I'd start there.

[cvtrapper]

I have read that coyotes have escaped from useing the 204s from both bad and perfect on shots. This would be from the lighter bullet not getting into the vitals (doing much damage on them if some pieces get to the vitals) out to 300+ yrds.

[bush_pig]

it depends on what twist you have

[yodeldog3]

Originally Posted by cvtrapper

I have read that coyotes have escaped from useing the 204s from both bad and perfect on shots. This would be from the lighter bullet not getting into the vitals (doing much damage on them if some pieces get to the vitals) out to 300+ yrds.

That may be true, but I've seen coyots run away after taking a .270 to the chest to, so just proves their tuffness and ability to take any soso shot and live another day

[wyheadhunter]

I have shot a .204 for 2 years and have noticed a couple of things. If you shoot in wind as I do the 40's are best. I shoot the v-max bullets in handloads loaded to max and while I get good groups at the range. a marginal shot, and at any long range, say over three hundred yards I personly struggle. to toss dogs in the back of the truck. Thanks for the advice Howler I will have to buy a couple hundred rounds of the berger to try out. Was about to give it up for the .22's again but really hate all the sewing.

[Howler]

wyheadhunter, I used to use my 22-250 for many years, but I don't plan on using it again any time soon, since I've switched to my AR .204 with berger bullets. Of the nearly 70+ that I've shot in the last two seasons, I lost 3, none last year, and of those 3 none of them were standing shots, all runners, and bullet placement is most likely the blame for the lost coyotes. The bergers simply work! Aim for the shoulder on those broadside shots, and love the frontal chest shot!