.204 for Coyotes

C

critter_getter

New member
I have a .204 barrel for my Encore. Having never specificaly hunted for coyotes, is this caliber sufficient for them, and if so what would be the max. effective range of this caliber.

Thanks in advance
 
critter_getter-- The maximum effective range is dependent upon which bullet you are going to use and what your intended muzzle velocity will be. For the 40 gr. V-Max and the 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKing I am listing below, your effective range on coyotes would be about 475 yards for the 40 gr. bullet and about 487 yards for the 39 gr. bullet if you figure a 40 pound coyote and that you need about 10 ft-lbs of energy for each pound of coyote for an effective kill.

The 32 gr. V-Max has been used on coyotes by several posters here, but it's effective range on coyotes would only be about 362 yards.

For example, the 40 gr. V-Max has a reported BC of .275. If you load that bullet to leave the muzzle at 3,800 fps, the center of your scope is 1.6" above the center of the muzzle, the temperature is 59.6º, humidity 35%, barometer at 29.92", and your elevation is 1,800 ft. then your bullet would have 488.1 ft-lbs of energy and be travelling at about 2,344.4 fps at 400 yards. The bullet would still have 399.1 ft-lbs of energy at 475 yards and a velocity of 2,119.8 fps. According to the "experts," the ft-lbs of energy at 475 yards (399.1) is sufficient to dispatch a 40 pound coyote. The ft-lbs of energy drops to 372.3 at 500 yards and velocity dips to 2,047.5 fps.

Take and substitute a 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKing bullet with a reported BC of .287 and use the same muzzle velocity and all the other variables and you would have 497.2 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards with a velocity of 2,396.2 fps. You'd still have 410.9 ft.-lbs of entergy at 475 yards with a velocity of 2,178.2 fps and at 500 yards the velocity would be 2,107.9 fps and ft-lbs of energy would be at 386.7 ft-lbs.

The trajectory and wind drift for the 39 gr. Sierra bullet will be a little bit better than that of the 40 gr. V-Max.

I set my scope for a 250 yard zero on my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger and the 40 gr. V-Max would be 2.5 inches low at 300 yards with 8.2 inches of drift (10 mph side wind) while the 39 gr. Sierra bullet would be 2.4 inches low with 7.8 inches of drift.

At 400 yards the 40 gr. bullet would be 11.3 inches low and the wind drift would be 15.5 inches and the 39 gr. Sierra would be 11.0 inches low at 400 yards and would drift 14.7 inches. At 500 yards the 40 gr. bullet would drop 26.5 inches and drift 25.7 inches while the 39 gr. bullet would drop 25.7 inches and drift 24.3 inches.

If you are going to use the 32 gr. V-Max with the BC listed at .210, and with the same variables listed for the 39 and 40 gr. bullets above, except the muzzle velocity at 4,200 fps, then you'll be 2.3 inches low at 300 yards with wind drift of 10 inches and ft-lbs of energy at 498.6 with remaining velocity at 2,649.1 fps. At the 400 yard mark your drop will be 10.9 inches, wind drift at 19.2 inches, ft-lbs of energy has dropped to 355.4 while velocity is at 2,236.4 fps. At 500 yards your drop is 26.5 inches, wind drift 32.5 inches, ft-lbs of energy 246.4 and velocity is at 1,862.2 fps. The ft-lbs of energy hits the "magic" 400 level right about at the 362 yard mark.
 
So-o-o-o..... If I understand the SilverFox's answer correctly..... What he's saying is.....

Yes. Further than you'll ever shoot.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
good info Silverfox......... the quote I posted below was very interesting.... Is that generally a "rule-of-thumb" for most creatures? Thanks for the insight, I learn something new today /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Quote:
if you figure a 40 pound coyote and that you need about 10 ft-lbs of energy for each pound of coyote for an effective kill.



 
I found the 204 wasn't suited that well for coyotes. During the 5 months of testing with it I had way too many runners. I prefer my Swifts and they don't tear up hides any worse than the 204. After the last runner I had and never recovered I sold it. The 204 is more suited for PD's than coyotes. Some will disagree, it just isn't for me. Like the 17 Rem., I had to try it.
 
Put me down as a disagree-er. Clearly from the data that SFox (and others) posted the round is not only sufficient, but deadly at ranges further than most of us can see. After reviewing Remington's BC data on 220 Swift vs 22-250 and the 204 it is clear to me that people are promoting their guns, instead of looking at the facts...and that's fine, but you cannot deny science. The 220 Swift is a great gun, no doubt...but move over..."This is not your father's .17 Remington" (it's a 204 w/ a BC of .275 for Chrst's sake)...in a 40 grain. People are waxing coyotes all over the West with 'em...and I can hardly get rounds, casings or bullets... they are selling THAT FAST! There's usually one box left at our supplier...IF I'm lucky!
I know guys who consistently bang-flop yotes w/ their 17 Rems. They call it, "bullet placement". I have seen runners with 223s, 243s, 6mm and 25-06s...so that really isn't an issue ...it happens in all cals IF the placement is a little off. Please don't dismiss or discourage folks from enjoying shooting with this great little cartridge.
 
I prefer my Swift also.They compair the 204 to the 22-250 & 220 swift so why not just get a 22-250 or 220 swift? Speed kills!Thanks Clint.
 
I have shot at 4 coyotes with mine. All 4 were dead instantly. The farthest one was 300 yds. I have never had an exit hole, which is good because I skin and sell the fur. I'm not saying that this will always be the case, it's just what I've experienced thus far.

Here's what kind of pelt damage I'm talking about. See the hole to the lower right of the bottle cap. No? Look real hard.

Hunting2005068.jpg


Here's the pelt damage to a PD at 200yds. Your'e looking where his head used to sit. There's your accuracy.

Hunting2005072.jpg
 
nmleon-- The program I use to do the ballistics caluclations can be found here:

JBM Trajectory Calculations Page

OK, back on topic: .204 for Coyotes I am sure some of our "experts" on the Board can tell which drag function you should use, etc., but I just leave that at G1. For the type of shooting I do, it has seemed to be pretty much "spot on" for me.

I have only shot 7 coyotes with my .204 Ruger. Of those 7, the only one that was truly a "runner" was one I shot broadside at about 275 yards. The bullet did exit--but there was a small entrance and a small exit hole. That one ran about 175 yards and keeled over dead--almost completely bled out, I might add.

One of those 7 hobbled, very haltingly, about 75 to 100 yards. I did not take a second shot at her because I was very sure she would not make it much farther than 75 yards based on where I placed the shot and the fact that she was stumbling and falling every once in awhile as she hobbled away.

The other 5 coyotes have been pretty much BANG/FLOP or BANG/SPIN a couple times and then FLOP!

One of my coyote rifles is a .17 Remington and I enjoy shooting coyotes with that one too, but I think the .204 Ruger has a wee bit of an edge on the .17 Remington, especially if one can use the 39 gr. and 40 gr. bullets for predators.

Two other rifles I used to use on coyotes were the .243 and the 22-250. They occupy space in my closet now that I have the .17 Remington and .204 Ruger for predators!!! I truly like the low recoil and in spite of other shooter's unfavorable experiences with the .204 Ruger on coyotes, I think it is one heck of a fine coyote caliber.
 
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The 204 is obviously plenty of gun for yotes both ballistically and in-field. As far as runners go, where I hunt whitetails its shotgun only and I have seen many a yote run off after being whalloped by a one once sabot slug.
Thats what, 11 times the size of a 204 bullet! Granted its mv is only about 1600 fps, but its still one heck of an impact. Bullet placement is always key.
 
Im on the 204 Ruger boat guys, its one hell of a varmint / predator round. Its really an amazing round and extremely accurate. Dont knock it until you try it and i know people have had bad experiences with them as far as runners, but you know if the shot aint there dont take it. I have had runners with a 30-06 because i have rushed a shot, shot placement is key with anything for a bang flop. This is my opinion based on my experiences and nothing more so take it for what it is the 204 Ruger is a good round.
 
I'm torn, I have a 204 and have shot 2 coyotes this year one was shot broadside at 150yds and never found it. The second one was shot broadside at 110yds and I wound up shooting it with a second round because It started to run and i was afraid of loosing that one also. I sold a 22-250 to get it and think i made a mistake, I know shot placement is key but I would like a little forgiveness. I am now thinking of getting a 220 swift.
 
I've got a post on the Firearms board about the 6mm vs the 204, and this is truly why. I'm sure you can kill coyotes with the .204, however, I would be a bit hesitant to use it as my main coyote gun. I put myself through a couple years of college shooting Coyotes and if there's one thing I learned it's that they are tough critters. I prefer the 6mm's over the 22 centerfires so it's obvious that I rank the .204 even further behind. The .204 is accurate and flat making hits out to 300 fairly routine, but the energy and momentum leave something to be desired. I'm not into tracking dogs, I want them down on the spot so I prefer bigger rounds. To each there own, but I would lean on the fast .22's as a minimum coyote gun. ~6mm
 
I haven't run the #'s yet on Exbal to see how the energy figures compare to the 55/60 .224" polymers (new computer), but there's no question they're probably a little higher than the 20's that SF has posted, BUT i used the .17's on coyotes killing 40-70/season for the last 15 yrs. or so (except these last 2, that is) and it was definitely my favorite fur caliber to 300 yds. that i ever used--- BUT (X2) i often thought that if u could get a little more energy just as flat downrange then the ideal fur caliber (.17) would sadly need to fall into 2nd place, BLASPHEMY!
 
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It's about the fur. Fur, fur, fur...crap everyone knows you can kill a coyote with an elephant gun, but WE want the fur. Ethics? I'll chase that SOB 2 miles IF he runs. The same chance he gives a baby turkey as he carries it out of the nest. None. The .204 will bring it, and bring it hard. I am out.
 
It's all about dead coyotes, I really could care less about fur. They're not worth anything here in Western Washington so we shoot them to protect our Deer, Elk, Turkeys and Pheasants. Personaly I like big holes in dogs, and I don't like crawling around in berry bushes to find dead ones. I want them to go a foot and a half after I shoot, straight down! ~6mm
 
Smaller calibers were developed for less recoil and less fur damage. That's all I am saying. It's not about the money, either. Guys want fur for trophys, hats, gloves, coats, etc. The ballistics are laid out there for everyone to decide on, individually. A gun is a tool. Pick the tool you want. It's not a contest...it's just shooting.
 
These tables reflect Remington's latest ballistic calc's.
The first three lines are the bullet types and weights.
All following info is 204 first line, 220 Swift second and 22-250 third.


PRA204B Premier AccuTip 40 AccuTip™-V Boat Tail 7 1/2 0.275
R220S1 Remington Express 50 Pointed Soft Point 7 1/2 0.175
PRA2250RB Premier AccuTip 50 AccuTip™-V Boat Tail 9 1/2.242

VELOCITY (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500
204 40 grn Accutip 3900 3451 3046 2677 2336 2021
220 Swift Rem 50 PSP 3780 3158 2617 2135 1710 1357
22-250 50 ATV BT 3725 3272 2864 2491 2147 1832

ENERGY (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500
Premier AccuTip40 ATV BT 1351 1058 824 636 485 363
Remington Express 50 PSP 1586 1107 760 506 325 204
Premier AccuTip 50ATV BT 1540 1188 910 689 512 372

SHORT-RANGE¹ TRAJECTORY*
Cartridge Type Bullet 50 100 150 200 250 300 400
204 Premier AccuTip40 ATV BT -0.3 0.2 zero -1.0 -2.9 -5.8
220 SwiftRem Express50 PSP 0.0 0.3 zero -1.4 -4.0 -8.2
Premier AccuTip50 ATV BT 0.0 0.3 zero -1.2 -3.5 -7.0

LONG-RANGE² TRAJECTORY*
Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Premier AccuTip40 ATV BT 0.7 0.7 zero -1.6 -4.3 -13.2 -28.1
Remington Express 50 PSP 0.4 1.0 zero -2.3 -6.2 -20.1 -46.1
Premier AccuTip 50ATV BT 1.7 2.1 1.6 zero -2.8 -12.8 -30.4

There are the numbers. Note the energy on all 3 at 400 yards. As S-Fox posted earlier it takes appx 400 lbs energy to kill a coyote of 40 lbs.
 
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