how ya figure a gray is harder to kill than a red? a big gray weighs 9 pounds and big red will go 16?
I'm just saying that in my experience the reds I've shot have gone down a lot easier then the greys I"ve shot. When a grey can run 45 yards missing the midsection of its body with just the spine holding it together it shows you how hard they are to bring down. Greys are naturally more inclined to fight then reds and therefore they are naturally tougher then a red. As fighters greys need to be able to get injured and recover from it.
any centerfire is too hard on hides
Like I said earlier, the 204 with proper bullets is extremely hide friendly. If you don't believe me I'll ga ahead and take a picture of the next varmint or predator I kill with it and I guarantee that it will be in excelent shape.