204 Ruger load

[Larryjk]

muskrat30, You will love the .204 Ruger as a prairie dog rifle. They are right there with a Swift and not much wind drift. We have a .204 and a 20/223AI in the family and they will spoil you. But the crosshairs on the dog, squeeze the trigger, watch him explode and go on to the next dog. I have a friend that says the 20/223AI is so accurate it is boring. I have been using 32gr V-max
and 35gr. Bergers, all moly coated.
I will have to try the 40gr and 45gr bullets on coyotes. It is difficult to drop a coyote on a frontal shot because the light bullets blow up on the hair and don't penetrate. On a broadside shot; maybe. But not on a frontal. They may go down, but will be up and running in no time. Found the hair gone over a lunchplate size of area with little pin pricks of blood on the surface, but no penetration. One hunter said he could kill them after he slowed the bullets up to about 3600. A .223 is more effective with the 55gr bullet. It may be boring, but if you are shooting coyotes for fur to sell, shoot a ,223 with Remington 55 gr. cannelured bullets.
If you are calling them in you don't need to shoot beyond 200 yds.