SmallCaliberCentral

Well best wishes with all your endeavors in Georgia!

I posted on here a while ago about using the 204 on hogs and a deer and was scorned into hiding. It works, but you need to realize it's limitations. I have taken hogs and deer with the 32gr v-max and the 45gr soft point. The 45gr actually passed completely through a 200lb+ sow. The vmax bullets only penetrate 6-12" depending on impact velocity and how much bone you hit, but they will penetrate bone and drop them quick. Here is a picture of a little one taken at 220 yards with a factory 32gr vmax.



and a 70lb pig I made a bad shot on that dropped in it's tracks with a 32gr vmax



the recovered bullet from his ham

danielbrothers wrote:If your going to Ft Stewart... in GA... then you'll be in hog heaven. I've been there when I had to stop myself from shooting more... Great place for all kinds of hunting....

+1 on Fort Stewart! My son was stationed there 7 years between two tours to Korea.

I have shot a lot of hogs (up to 300#) with a 204 Ruger (Ruger Predator) shooting 34 grain V-Max bullets. I always shoot them just below the ear and it is "lights out" every time. Range has generally been less than 200 yards. It is also devistating on crows. I shot one this morning that was feeding on some french fries that someone had thrown out on the road in front of my house. It scattered him all over the ground.

I dropped a 90lb hog with a 32grn at a 100 yards shot right behind the ft leg. It went down like
it was hit with a cannon. Ha

my 3rd biggest hog of 2011.
50 yards right between the eyes.
.40 gr V-Max Hornady
Dropped where shot

They are so cute when they are dead! Even cuter next to some fresh greens, 'taters, and your favorite cold beverage!

Good job Zen' !

chief fels wrote:Will a 45gr. hollow point put behind the ear of a 150-200# hog take it down?

Thanks
Phil

I shot a 100 lb hog right behind the front leg at 80 yard useing a 32 gn vmax and dropped him in his tracks.
He went down like I hit him between the eyes with a sledge hammer. Ha I'm sure that a round at the base
of the ear would stop even a 200lb hog.

"Would" a .204 kill a hog....or "Should" it be used I think is the more appropriate question. Use the appropriate tool for the appropriate application IME. Much also depends on your marksmanship abilities.
Zen, I've watched your YouTube vids...big fan!

Trent wrote:

ryutzy wrote:I'm sorry, dont think I'd trade Colorado for Georgia!

I am going to embrace the Southern lifestyle while I am there though. Instead of slaying pDogs I am going to hunt feral hogs and groundhogs! The .204 will stay busy for sure.

I've shot many hogs of that size with my 204, and as others have said, it's not an ideal round, but plenty capable of the job none-the-less. Diagonally in behind the ear is probably the most successful, however I've shot them from many directions, between the eyes, side of the head etc. They drop without any problems.

Good luck on your move and your hunting!

"should it be used on hogs?" i would say no if you have a bigger caliber firearm. but if it is all you've got then you don't have an option. there is no room for error in my opinion. its head shot or nothing.

ZenArchery wrote:its head shot or nothing.

+1