6x204 for deer

[DR1586]

So my daughter is growing up and seems to be interested in daddy's hobbies. She's too young for it now, but given the pace at which I'm able to work on projects, I figured I'd better start now. We live in NC and the resident deer population aren't the big Midwestern bucks. She's going to need a light recoiling rifle for deer seasons in the future. I am thinking about going with a 6x204. Below is my reasoning, suggestions welcome.

1. Light recoil
2. Pretty good brass
3. Great bullet selection
4. Accurate

So has anyone hunted with this caliber? If so, I'd love to know about your experience. My biggest concern is whether or not it will effectively put an animal down.

 

[hogpatrol]

My .02: .223 has the same qualifications as you have listed plus it doubles as a paper puncher.

 

[bheadboy]

I have had a number of 6x47(222m) which is very similar, the 80-90 gr bullets from a 24 "bbl will go about 2700+/- fps, that gets about 1500ft lbs energy at the muzzle.

this is more than enough for southeaster white tails, --big problem is making sure you have a good game bullet, I found for my sons the 6mm rem with 100 sierra sbt were drt deer getters. the lighter bullets were not as effective.

consider the 6x250, which will give the 100gr pills the same or +100fps and better killing ability, you do not have to load to max, and as she grows you can advance the load with more ability than either the 6x204 or a 6br. and less recoil than the 6mm rem

I do not consider a 224 bullet a good starter for deer as the beginning shooter may or may not place the shot as well as desired, this the larger and heavier bullets of 6mm will overcome some of that possibility. the one thing you don't want to risk is her wounding and tracking a deer and getting turned off to hunting.

My thoughts

Bob

 

[5spd]

I have been dropping deer/antelope out here with my 6x45 (6mmx223) since 2010 when I built it.
Perfect for them, using a 80g gmx and a 95g nosler HBT bullet.
No issues to 400 yards ever, pretty much sight it in at 200 yards and just hold on hair to 400 yards.
11 of them all 1 shot kills to 344 yards.
I was going to do the 6x204, but brass was tough to find then.
When I take the neighbors girls to the range they love shooting it & smacking steel to 600 yards.
Light recoil and just darn accurate.
Good choices with the 6x45, 6x47, 6x204, they will do her great.

 

[bheadboy]

Dr1586
I do not doubt the results reports of kills you are getting, you need to remember these are experienced shooters/hunters

I suggest you are starting with an inexperienced shooter/hunter, it is my advice to not tread a thin line, build in some added cushion for her to be effective.

your distances are going to be shorter, possibley wooded, and I for one would not start her with less than a 100gr pill getting less than 1600fp at the muz.
I have raised 2 sons and a daughter and 10 grand children -- all shooters, most hunters. give her a cushion.

Bob

 

[DR1586]

223 is a no go for me. I love the cartridge, but I wouldn't put it in the hands of a novice hunter. Too little room for error.

I have a 243 currently, which if she gets any of her daddy's size she'll be able to handle in no time at all. The shots would more than likely be 75-100yds max. If I were picking a bullet right now, I'd probably go with the Berger 95gr classic hunter. But that decision will be made down the road a piece.

I know there are tons of other cartridges to try, 6xc, 6BR, 6x47L, etc. I guess I should have mentioned that I have an action with a 223 BF, so that was a motivating factor.

I think at this point, my best option is to build the gun, try it myself and see what the terminal effect of the round is. I suspect it will perform fine, but at least we can be sure. Plus, if it doesn't work out, then that gives me an excuse to build something else.

I appreciate the feedback on the performance you've seen and in a couple of seasons I'll let you guys know what works out for her.

Thanks,

John

 

[JohnHenry]

May want to consider 7TCU in a rifle.

https://sierrabullets.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/look-at-this/

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3781530.0

 

[deadwooddick]

If the deer hunting utility of a 6-204 (.243" Ø) was the OP's question, what's w/ all the .223" Ø comments ?

:

 

[swd]

The 6x204 will make a great deer rifle. I'm getting ready to start a 6x204 project next week. I've been shooting 6x45's for about 5 years. I just shot a buck three days ago with a 6x45 and a 95 Partition. Just behind the shoulder, complete pass through. Nickel size entrance and quarter size exit. He went 10 yards and piled up. I shot another one 3 years ago with the same rife, that one went straight down. I think with 90-100gr bullets the 6x204 would be 50-100fps faster. The best part is they only have about as much recoil as a 223. My recommendation is build 2. You'll like it so much you'll want one too.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Im a big advocate of the 6x45. I have 2 that i let kids borrow. Lots of first deer from them. They are full custom model sevens with 6x leupolds. I built them with 1-14tw barrels mainly to use up br bullets when the box gets too short and use short jugs of n133. I just take 100 once fired 223 cases and expand then load. I just let em leave the brass layin and encourage em to shoot those 100 before they bring em back. Lots of happiness has came from those 2 guns.

 

[Catfish]

The 222 mag. in the parent case of the 204 Ruger and is better suited to form to a 6mm case because the neck is larger and will be thicker after the case is formed. I have a 6 x 47, and have loaded for a friends 6 x 45. The 6 x 47 as a little more velocity, but I doubt that could tell the difference in the field. I would not use rather on the deer we have up here, but will not judge on the smaller deer down South.

 

[swd]

With the 204 case you get a 6x47 improved with just a straight neck up. The shoulder is farther forward, 30 degrees and slightly larger in diameter.

 

[fredo]

Timely thread, as I've been pondering a deer bullet for my 6x45AI for this year to use "in the woods". Figure I'll see if an 80grTTSX wants to shoot acceptably, could prolly push one 2950+ with not too much effort. A 6-204 will do that just as easily...

Although not a Nosler patron (due to their BS b.c. guesstimations) the 95Partition would be a great candidate, as would a 90gr B-tip. Swd offered positive feedback on the 95, and they're long proven tough bullets...

Could just as easily squeeze an 85Gameking BTHP down the neck and get after it! These are <200lb. live weight deer we're talking here. They don't need much killin' to die, just a semi-decent bullet placed in the proper location

 

[swd]

I like complete penetration on a broadside heart lung shot so I've always liked the way Partitions usually blow up the front half and push the back half all the way through. I tend to believe when they leak out of both side they don't go as far. It made a real mess out of the lungs too.

The 95 Partition does have a lot of bearing surface and ends up being stuffed way down in the case. It takes up a bit of powder space but you'll never have to worry about it being too long to fit in a mag.

The 95 Berger VLD hunter and 80 TTSX should also be outstanding. Heck the little 6's are so efficient any 80-95 grain big game bullet should put em' in the freezer without any fuss. With the 6x204 100 grain bullets are probably on the menu too.

All the little 6's are great cartridges, it just depends on what case you want to build it on. Any of them are a great choice for varmints and deer and will bring you far more enjoyment than you ever realized

I've got a friend who's 6'3" 400+ lbs and loves Ultra Mags. He stopped by the shop not long after I built my first 6x45, a 7lb even Sako on an L461 action. I handed him the rifle and a handful of shells and sent him out to the back 40. He came back in a while later with a big smile and said "thanks that was the most fun I've had in years!"

 

[JayCutright]

I kicked around the idea of building a 6-204 mini-14 several years ago. I called the shop that customizes a lot of mini's and told them what I had in mind and told them I would like to buy an adjustable gas block from them. I gave up on the project when they told me they will not sell the size gas block I wanted but I still think it'd be a cool little cartridge.
I am subscribing to this thread with interest, keep us posted.

 

[Tommie]

In practiced hands, I see no reason why a 6-204 wouldn't be a deadly killer on small whitetails. Just make sure the kids get plenty of sandbox time at the range before heading into the field.

 

[Warren Dean]

Have you considered a 6mm BR? It's a heck of a good cartridge and easy to load.

 

[BoilerUP]

I've thought many times about building my boys a 6x45 when they get old enough..but keep coming back to the basic fact that a 223 with a modern expanding hunting bullet (say a 62gr Fusion/TSX or 64gr BSB) will do a great job even with marginal shot placement and even less recoil.

Then I think, "Why not just get them a 6.5 Creedmoor, load a 100gr NBT, and use H4895 reduced loads?"

So maybe that's an option for ya OP, using your existing 243 with reduced loads?

 

[AWS]

I've been shooting a 6mm-204 for about 8 years for coyote hunting and it s a great little cartridge. My deer rifle is a 25-204 and will push 100gr Partitions at 2800 fps. It works just great.

Took this guy in 2005 with t.

 

[DR1586]

AWS,

What is the felt recoil like on the 25-204. Can you tell much difference between it and say a 223? What I plan to build is going to be small and light, and I want to make sure she enjoys shooting it.