SmallCaliberCentral

I am going to have access to some land with rockchucks on it this spring, and I would like to try out the .204 on some of them. I have loaded both the 39 gr. Blitzkings and 32 gr. V-maxes in my gun, both shoot pretty well, and both do a number on ground squirrels at 200 yards and less. But rockchucks are a different story, being bigger and tougher. Shots will likely be further too, given that where I will be shooting is more open. So, if I am shooting up to and including say 400 yards, is the 32 grainer the better choice because of velocity and trajectory, or will the heavier 39 grainer deliver more punch at the longer distances on the heavier critters? Any advice, personal experience, or ballistic info you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris

I shoot both bullets with my 204 Howa, mainly on "Skippy", Belding ground squirrels. I would venture to say from personal experience, Your best bet is the 39 grain bullets, especially if you are shooting over 300 yards. The 39's will buck the wind a little better, and will carry better at the longer ranges, i,e better for the bigger animals. If I get a chance at bigger targets at the longer ranges, or even smaller ones at say over 350 yards, for me anyway I will always grab my 39's. I have ranged kills out to around 500 yards with the 39's on the beldings, crows, rockchucks, and a few magpies, and a ranged and confirmed kill on a yote at 419 yards. DRT! Also, which bullet do you have the most confidence in and shoot the most?

What I found over here in Ohio is the 32gr'ers start running out of steam at the 250yd mark. Now they will still kill but your shot placement needs to be more precise at the longer ranges. They don't seem to have the explosiveness so you will need to hit them in the sweet spot of the chest. Just my experiences.

ROCKCHUCKS? Did someone say "rockchucks?"

Spring must be close, 'cause I'm thinkin' about 'em too! My past experience mirrors the previous posters. If you plan to shoot them much past 300-350 yards, then the 39gr bullet is a better choice due to increased terminal energy on the larger animal (compared to a ground squirrel or PD).

But to illustrate just how effective the 32gr NBT is for rockchucks at moderate ranges, say out to 250-300 yards, I offer proof that the 32 grainers, out of a lesser cartridge, this time the 20 Vartarg, has a very firm terminal effect on even large chucks such as some of these boys:



Those guys were all shot with the 32gr NBT over 18.5grs of RL-7 in my Cooper M38 VR 20 Vartarg for 3,725 fps.......all one shot kills at 185 to 325 yards. So I'd opine that out of a 204, the 32's can/could be used on chucks at about 100 yards further due to the increased energy and velocity of a 204 with it's extra 300+ fps. The best part is you can load up both and try them on Chucky very soon and make your own mind up.

Thanks for the responses guys. I have some of each, so I'll load up some of each and give them a shot. I know the 39s will do a nice little cloverleaf at 100 yards, and the 32s seem pretty accurate too - kinda hard to tell for sure though, because my scope died about 3 groups into my last sight in session . Regardless, I should be able to come up with a good combo for the chucks! Now things just need to warm up...
Thanks,
Chris