.204 weight for prairie dogs

[pdogsbeware]

Hey guys. I've done some perusing but couldn't find quite what I've been looking for. This is my first year with a .204
(switched to the dark side) as my prairie dog gun. In the past few years I've only used one bullet for them, the 55gr v-max out of a 22-250. Packs a wallop! I know I'm giving up some of that going with the .204, but would still like to maximize the aerobatics show!

Question: In 204, which one, the 32gr or 40gr bullets, "mistify" the dogs better? Barrel is 1-10 twist and the 40gr are exceptionally accurate. I don't have any dogs around here to test the different rounds before stocking up for the spring hunt. I would prefer answers from people who have used both weights and switched to one or the other for some reason.

 

[Tim Singleton]

For me the 40 gr is a little less wid sensitive and carries a little more umpf on target

 

[hedditch]

I don't believe you are going to notice any difference on the "mistify" effect using either bullet. Shoot the load most accurate in your rifle either 32 gr or 40 gr. Prairie dog won't know the difference.
Dave

 

[dedogs]

+1

 

[LitLBoy]

39 gr. Blitz-King put on quite a show!

 

[LCazador]

The best acrobatics created are based on where you hit that PD and what the velocity of the bullet is at that range. After reassembling carcasses and locating the entry wound(minus one or two entrails) dead center hits produce the most action :!! With that said the bullet that shoots the most accurate is going to plant them best in the middle!

 

[DogBuster]

Having three p/dog 20's.....20VT..20PT...& 20-222

the only boolit I use/need is the 40 V max..

keeps inventory simple...all three shoot well.....

 

[Hotshot]

10 years of experience and ten's of thousands of rounds from 204R's in p-dog towns. You won't see much difference to 400 yards and all the plastic tip bullets will teach them acrobatic skills(at least from 300 yards and closer). My favorite 39 grain bullet begins to show it's stuff beyond 400. I have several hits over 600 and the energy is adequate. I used 220Swift with 55 grain bullets for 30 years. The 204R with 39 grain is the superior round.

 

[swampshooter]

I have a 1 in 10 Shilen on my 204. It prefers 39 gr. Sierras. Average in the .3's. Parts fly, get lots air time and numerous flips. Quite a show. 32's are slightly more explosive but are more wind sensitive.

 

[jcm24m]

39's and 40's do the job for me on the dogs in any wind.

 

[5spd]

I tested the 32 Vm/32 nbt/39g sierra/40vm and the best shooting in my 1/10" 20 practical was the 32g nosler BT.
It made them a red mist. Good in 5-8 mph breezes to 400 yds.
Out shot the 39/40 bullets others like, but in mine they were not that good in the terminal side.
You need to run a few weights and see what your likes best.

 

[IMMORTAL]

I have had 4 204 rifles in the dog towns in Wyoming and I prefer the 39gr. BK's. Definitely more accurate in my guns than the 40's.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Let your rifle decide.. They all work well in the right rifle.. I tried em all in my 204, 32's, 40's, 35's, 39's.. Etc.. The 39 Sierra gave the best groupings in my rifle along with 3031 powder etc...

My advice is find what YOUR rifle likes and go from there.. As far as acrobatics, I find that you need to hit en low and let hydraulics take over

My 204 is a Savage 12..

 

[swampshooter]

The 39's are definitely more accurate in my rifle than the 40's. My rifle groups the 32's very well, except it throws too many fliers with the 32's.

 

[roadkill61]

As usual no one wants to ansewer the posted question. Our experience is that the 32 gr sierra BK is the best for red mist and acrobatics.

 

[hedditch]

What?? I did answer the question and stick by my answer. In the "mistify" catagory, I basically said there was no measurable difference put in different words. ;D
Dave

 

[Keith Glasscock]

My father runs 40 v-max for his 204R, but he only hunts sage rats (AKA flickertails) that, if you are unfamiliar, are 1/3 scale prairie dogs. The 40 V-max fragments immediately putting pieces of the critters all over the pasture. We've stepped off parts of one animal that landed over 25 ft apart. A center of mass hit normally cuts the animal in half with the cape landing 10 ft from the remainder.

Most of his shots are inside 300 yards, so terminal energy is pretty high, and I don't think there would be enough difference in velocity at his average range (150-200) to tell the difference in impact between the 40 and 32 grain versions.

Hope this helps.

 

[dedogs]

roadkill, do they speak a different english up there in Sask? Just about every one who replied to this post answered the OP's question, correctly I might add. Most center of mass hits on P.D.s and other small vermin exhibit explosive results. And some rifles prefer certain bullet/load combinations (as you should know). What's your problem with the responses given?

 

[swampshooter]

Roadkill, I definitely answered his question. You need to read the posts before you criticize everyone.

 

[LCazador]

Roadkill, I definitely answered his question. You need to read the posts before you criticize everyone.

+1 Roadkill is out of line!