204Ruger

Hello Fellas 1st Post here and I look forward to many more!

I am going to begin reloading for my Savage VLP in 204 Ruger with Prairie Dogs in mind and I am wondering what bullet you all recommend.

I have been on 2 PD shoots in south central Kansas and am planning on another next year. I killed a BUNCH of them with Federal Premium 39gr Blitz Kings, but since I will be reloading I am free to choose whichever bullet I want. Most of my kills were between 200-300 yards...any further was usually a wasted shot due to the ever present wind. I am thinking about the most explosive bullet possible in order to disintegrate the little buggers at that range. I am leaning toward the 32gr V-Max since I think the 24gr's are too light and the 40gr V-Max too heavy.

Whatdaya think??

Thanks!

Frank

Most seen to use the 32 and 39 grain bullets. Sierra, Nosler being the favored ones. Other brands work in various rifles/twists, but these two weights are the day in day out go to ones. Bill K

To me, it comes down to which bullet weight your rifle prefers the most. I shoot prairie dogs with 32's and 39/40's quite a bit, and can't tell any difference in the field results.

I shoot them with a 30g berger and they "blow up" really nice. I've also shot a few with a 34g HP. You're going to want to try a couple different bullets and find out which one is the most accurate out of your rifle, that is the one I would shoot. If it has a hollow point or polymer tip, they all do a nice job of exploding on impact.

Best bang for the buck is Nosler Varmageddon 32gr HP or Polamer tip for 20cal 1:12 twist.Gone up some,but still around $13 a hundred,if you can get them.Hard to beat the 39gr SBK for bucking wind in a 204r.Most all varmint bullets will give explosive terminal results,from 3400 fps on up.

The 39gn SBKs and 40gn Bergers always surprise me for their uncanny wind resistance.

I'm sure just abut anything (varmint or hybrid) will do fine..

For shooting 'Skippy" I shoot the 32 gr.V-max, mostly because of cost. When we go thru maybe 300, to sometimes 400 rounds per day. And when the wind picks up, or I want to shoot longer ranges, I turn to the 39 gr. SBK's.

I second what Joe said. I have tested the Nosler Varmageddon 32 grain tipped bullets extensively and they are the most explosive 20 caliber bullets i have found. As a bonus they are also the most accurate production bullet i have found in 20 caliber. I will mention that they have been a little difficult to find for the last 6 months. My second choice would be the Sierra 32 grain Blitzking bullets, great accuracy although they do cost a little more.

Brad

I shoot 39 grain Sierra Blitzkings in all my 204s. I like the better BC and like to use the same bullet all the time. I have shot prairie dogs out to 600 yards with them. I do have some Nosler Varmageddon bullets in 20 and 17 caliber to try out. Have not shot any yet, but have some loaded up to try.