I just picked up a Ruger Hawkeye LH in .204 Ruger. The Hornady factory 40 gr Vmax loads are clocking 3600 fps with a 1.08" three shot group at 100 yds, and the 45 gr SP went 3300 fps(all three shots were exactly 3300 fps) and a 0.75" group.
I can't wait to see what handloads will do.
Anyone have any experience with the 204 on varmints? What can i expect from 32 gr bullets?
What is the best bullet for coyotes?

if you handload for it...

I'd like to pass on my surprises with the bulk 34 grain HP from Mid South Shooters Supply.. bulk bullet of what Winchester factory loads..

super accurate...

and then secondly the 24 grain NTX non lead bullet from Hornady... and then the 26 gr Varmint Grenade from Barness...both accurate and explosive....

same also with Speer's 39 grain TNT....

all of these bullets work very very well...

I think the V Max sort of set the stage, so if a bullet is going to compete it has to be even better... and these all have shown to be up to the task...

The 32gr bullet is great for squirrels and what the cartridge was first loaded with from the factory. It will work on yotes but I think the 40gr bullet would be better for yotes. All I shoot is 32gr bullets in mine so far. I do have some 40gr bullets loaded up also. Then for areas requiring a non-lead bullet I have some 29gr barnes bullets but have not shot them yet.

The 32s are great on small varmints, very explosive.
I have shot a few coyotes with 32s, but have gone to 35 Bergers for that task. They have performed well.

The score with mine using Hornady 45 gr. Spire Points has included:

1. Crow a bit over 300 yards.

2. Two coyotes DRT with neck shots.

3. A deer at 252 yards.

4. More groundhogs than I can remember.

5. Raccoons.

It's accurate and deadly.

Grumulkin--A deer with a varmint rig? It didn't laugh at you and run away? That can't be. Where's Kabluewy? Evrybody knows that even if you take out heart, lung or liver or combination thereof you can't kill a deer with a varmint bullet. If you didn't know that you haven't read any of Kabluey's posts.

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
Grumulkin--A deer with a varmint rig? It didn't laugh at you and run away? That can't be. Where's Kabluewy? Evrybody knows that even if you take out heart, lung or liver or combination thereof you can't kill a deer with a varmint bullet. If you didn't know that you haven't read any of Kabluey's posts.

I thought the same thing. Where is Kaboom when you need him, as obviously the deer you thought you shot with the .204 died of laughter? Kaboom said that his opinion on the use of varmint bullets on deer was superior to your EXPERIENCE. But I do miss the old boy and his sidekick Hot Core (aka Hot sh#t)

Congrats on the deer and it sounds like from your EXPERIENCE that was not a tough shot to pull off. Looking forward to some more reports on deer hunting with the .204 this fall. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
The score with mine using Hornady 45 gr. Spire Points has included:

1. Crow a bit over 300 yards.

2. Two coyotes DRT with neck shots.

3. A deer at 252 yards.

4. More groundhogs than I can remember.

5. Raccoons.

It's accurate and deadly.

Factory load or hand load? If a hand load, please PM your load.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:
I just picked up a Ruger Hawkeye LH in .204 Ruger. The Hornady factory 40 gr Vmax loads are clocking 3600 fps with a 1.08" three shot group at 100 yds, and the 45 gr SP went 3300 fps(all three shots were exactly 3300 fps) and a 0.75" group.
I can't wait to see what handloads will do.
Anyone have any experience with the 204 on varmints? What can i expect from 32 gr bullets?

THEY GO POOF! Vaporized varmit!