204 for coyotes

[wendell]

I am new to coyote hunting, having yet to get one, and wonder if my 204 is a good choice of caliber?

[Rick in Oregon]

Why, yes it is, and if you're saving pelts, the 35gr Berger would be a top choice. Many here also find favor with the Sierra 39gr BK for the excellent BC it offers, along with both the 40gr offerings from both Hornady and Nosler for dogs.

If you do a bit of searching here, you'll find about 1,000 coyote-related .204 posts.

[Captqc]

Hi Wendell, Welcome to the Forum! As Rick said the .204 will get the job done. Now one thing to remember ...we love pictures around here so remember to pack your camera. Gary

[Ryan S Albright]

You will like the 204 shoots straight and far with little recoil. Drops coyotes dead no problem.

[Ryan S Albright]

Here are a couple of old pictures with some nice coyote killed with the 204.

[Gube]

Welcome aboard Wendell. The 204 with the 35 gr bergers are my favorite for putting the "smack down" on yodel dogs. Every once in a while, I bring out the 243 just so it wouldn't feel lonely, but the 204 by far is my favorite. Seeing that impact through the scope is the "icing on the cake".

[wendell]

Thanks for the replies.

[Buglemintoday]

I hear a lot about the 35gr Bergers and have a question....are the other bullets just too explosive?

[newr15]

I've been using a 204 for the last 4 years as a primary coyote/fox gun and have been using 32 and 40 v-max depending what is on shelf at the time and as long as you place your shots well and dont hit a shoulder I have yet to have one exit and drops critter dead in tracks. Have been using 32gr v-max as the primary round of choice with no problems as I am not a reloader.

[Buglemintoday]

Welcome to the site and thanks for sharing newr15!

Sounds like a lot of people have trouble with the 32gr on Coyotes but im glad to hear you're having good luck with them

[ultralightshooter]

newr15, How many yotes have you killed with the 32 grainers and whats your farthest shot with them?

[newr15]

well i don't go out hunting to much but in last 3 weeks have shot 7 coyote and 2 fox. I'd say I average couple dozen critters a winter. As for long shots I don't shoot past 250 yds as I don't want to risk a miss or wounding one as trailing wounded animal is not very fun. But shooting anything over 150 yds is very rare as I want to make good shots and not push the 32's to much and it's just plain fun to see how close you can actually get.