There are a few factors to consider when wanting/expecting to see target impact. Obviously the weight of the gun/barrelwillmake a difference, then thedistance of the shot and the power of scope setting. If you've got a scope set on 16x and shooting a target 100 yards away, I doubt that you'll be able to see bullet impact. Shoot a target at 300 yards on 10x, and you would probably see impact. The .204 doesn't kick that much, but it ain't no .22 mag. either!