Pheasant Hunting this past Monday.

[Sask Boy]

Hi Guys, my son,a buddy & I went pheasant hunting south of Weyburn Sask. We were glassing a real nice Muley buck when my son spotted a coyote on the run. I got my 204 out and gave a whistle and it stopped and I shot it fell right over we estimated the distance at over 400 yards. I was just about to get back into the truck when it got up and ran another couple of 100 yards away and sat down. I was out of my reloads so I quickly grabbed a box of factory and they were 32 gr. V max. I held approx. 2ft over and shot and he did not move so I held higher I shot again and he went down for good.
I not sure exactly how far it was but it is one of the longest shot I have ever made on a animal.
I have this rifle sighted in at 300 yards and I have been using 39 BKs with 26.5 grains of H4895. I used factory to originally get it on paper.
I think that I will be doing a little experimenting in the coming weeks I want to see if I can get a little more speed out of the 39 BKs as I know that I am not at Max.

[Arizona Hunter]

I only run the 40 V-Max at 3650fps, using 26.8 gr. of RL 15. Very accurate on prairie dogs. I figure it burns less powder and lowers the pressure a little so the barrel should last longer-at least thats what I've read. But for you and coyotes, I can see you loading that to 3800-3900.

If you ever keep the pelts, you may wish to try the Hornady 45 Spire point or 40 Berger. They penetrate better than the 40's but hold together better.

[bakerboy]

i am close to max load with mine, using 39's. i am using benchmark with 28 grains. i have been shooting that load for over a year now. it is pushing a little over or right at 3900 fps. my gun loves this load, when my gun is in a lead sled, the groups are .25 or better. sometimes they are all in the same hole or real close.

[Hotshot]

Sask Boy you sure know how to go pheasant hunting. I went pheasant hunting this week and all I got was some darn pheasants. Had the 204 ready for a coyote but never got a chance.