.204
- Thread starter cowsmart
- Start date
- Status
Think that the BT in the last post refers to boat tail.
My take on your train of thought is that you are wanting a varmint cartridge to do more than it was designed for. The heavier weight bullets (over 40 grains) are rarer than the mainstream 32,39 and 40 grain offerings. As such they would be harder to obtain and more likely to be discontinued due to lack of sales.
Unless you have a stockpile of your chosen bullet (if you manage to achieve the accuracy you desire) then you're shafted if they discontinue it.
Just because some loophole would allow this use, does' nt necessarily equate to a sensible deer calibre. I would stick to the proven .224" and up chamberings with correct bullet construction. The 204 Ruger is a great bunny, p dog, fox and corvid basher.
My take on your train of thought is that you are wanting a varmint cartridge to do more than it was designed for. The heavier weight bullets (over 40 grains) are rarer than the mainstream 32,39 and 40 grain offerings. As such they would be harder to obtain and more likely to be discontinued due to lack of sales.
Unless you have a stockpile of your chosen bullet (if you manage to achieve the accuracy you desire) then you're shafted if they discontinue it.
Just because some loophole would allow this use, does' nt necessarily equate to a sensible deer calibre. I would stick to the proven .224" and up chamberings with correct bullet construction. The 204 Ruger is a great bunny, p dog, fox and corvid basher.
straightpull6547
Well-Known Member
What is the fascination that people have to try and kill deer with inappropriate equipment?
Bigboab29
Well-Known Member
^ +1 it's been deemed legal by police scotland for roe as long as it hits the magic numbers, which it does with ease, It has more energy out to 400ish yards than the 222/223 does until the heavier bullet weight of the 222/223 takes over. Hopefully a 50gr soft point will be able to be sourced but if not I'm sure the Sierra varmint bullets won't be any less effective than the vmax or amax that lots of people like to use on deer. As for running at a max bullet range, 243 with 100gr is constantly running on the edge of its capabilities, yet it does it very well and has done for many years and probably will do for many years to come. So to some up - I don't seen any valid points about not using it and it's been deemed legal by the police and I guess that's the b all and end all in a nutshell
IMO the .204 would be a poor choice not because of its external ballistics but because all the bullets available for it are designed for rapid expansion on small game. Many .224 calibre bullets are too, of course, but not all.
It seems to me that you are intending to shoot deer at longish range -or you wouldn't be seeking the external ballistics the .204 has to offer- but with a sub-optimal projectile. Each to his own, but that wouldn't be my idea of a recipe for success.
It seems to me that you are intending to shoot deer at longish range -or you wouldn't be seeking the external ballistics the .204 has to offer- but with a sub-optimal projectile. Each to his own, but that wouldn't be my idea of a recipe for success.
Last edited:
the question was...does anyone know of a .20 cal soft point 50gr pill. Not asking about the ethics of use for a perfectly legal deer calibre rifle on a perfectly legal quarry. The use is at my discretion. Maybe I SHOULD JUST CHOOSE BT's AND HEAD SHOOT THEM. That again is at my discretion. I want to try it, If I was worried about ballistics I would just use the .22-250 on all my roe stalking, but I adore the .222 as well...It is something I want to try and thats all.
Bigboab29
Well-Known Member
you don't get answers to your questions on here cowsmart, you should know that buy now lol all you get is the know it alls telling you what you should and shouldn't be doing
andy R204
Well-Known Member
As already posted you'll need a faster twist to stabilize 40gr plus in .204.I run a 1 in 10 Walther 26" tube on mine.I use 50gr Bergers very occasionally when I fancy a change from 40gr Vmax.They pass straight through rabbits & I would think the 55gr would be the same.
To use .204 on deer I can't comment but for small varmints & corvids it's more than enough & I can't see me changing calibre anytime soon.
The downside to this calibre is sourcing reloading consumables,brass is expensive,heads can be a problem sometimes & it can be fussy to get "the load".
Ps If anyone has 50gr Berger heads for sale PM me
To use .204 on deer I can't comment but for small varmints & corvids it's more than enough & I can't see me changing calibre anytime soon.
The downside to this calibre is sourcing reloading consumables,brass is expensive,heads can be a problem sometimes & it can be fussy to get "the load".
Ps If anyone has 50gr Berger heads for sale PM me
- Status
Similar threads
