.204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

General discussion and information about the .204 Ruger.
Fordevr
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.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

.204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Anyone have any experience with the 40 grain nosler bt and coyotes. Did a comparison video and they seem to hold together better but I like that hornady 40 gr. vmax don't usually exit a coyote and these might.

https://youtu.be/AsyH18dWm80
Bill K
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.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Bill K »

I have not shot a lot of the two in 40 grain. But from what I have it seems to be that the Nosler BT is the more explosive, of the two. On the larger critters, neither exit very often. On smaller critters, the Nosler just opens them up more. Bill K
Fordevr
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.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Thx Bill. The .32 vmax don't come out but my buddy said the noslers did and he had way more runners...Probly just cause he shoots a savage😁😜
Fordevr
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Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:12 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Did a little more 400yrd testing and these fed nosler Ballistic Tip sure like the Tikka. Shot 3 and then another 2 (bottom left target) and was very pleased with the results.
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Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Bill K »

Fordevr wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:34 pm Thx Bill. The .32 vmax don't come out but my buddy said the noslers did and he had way more runners...Probly just cause he shoots a savage😁😜
Don't understand the runners with the Nosler, Unless he is just not hitting them within his range and in the right spot, chest/lungs or brain. Here is just one example of my CZ American in 17hmr, when you hit them within range and in the right spot. Know this is not a 204R, but it shows what any round can do when placed properly. Bill K :)
Bill K
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Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Bill K »

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Bill K wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2017 6:39 am
Fordevr wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:34 pm Thx Bill. The .32 vmax don't come out but my buddy said the noslers did and he had way more runners...Probly just cause he shoots a savage😁😜
Don't understand the runners with the Nosler, Unless he is just not hitting them within his range and in the right spot, chest/lungs or brain. Here is just one example of my CZ American in 17hmr, when you hit them within range and in the right spot. Know this is not a 204R, but it shows what any round can do when placed properly. Bill K :)
Fordevr
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Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:12 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Nice! Hope your right. I can't wait to try em. What you call max range with them with a .204?
Bill K
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Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Bill K »

Depends on how you are set up, to dial up your scope or how well you use the old Kentucky windage/range ?? My partner and I have our 20's set up for easy 400 and sometime plus, when we have time to range and dial on most all of our varmints, even the coyotes.
But most of the time, when they are coming in, to a call and setup, we wait until they are as close as they will come, and even then try to limit to under 200 yards.
Now with the 17's I/we keep shots under 100 yards. And our usual 17 bullet is the 17 grain tipped hornady.
I know he has taken coyotes and dropped them up to 300, maybe some other a little more. Myself I have made clean hit/kills on coyotes up to around 400. But again I try to keep and get them within 200, but sometimes they just plain hang up and sit out there and watch, so you take the shot if you have time and feel good with the set up, AND can range and dial them up. Bill K
Fordevr
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Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:12 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Bill K wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:53 am Depends on how you are set up, to dial up your scope or how well you use the old Kentucky windage/range ?? My partner and I have our 20's set up for easy 400 and sometime plus, when we have time to range and dial on most all of our varmints, even the coyotes.
But most of the time, when they are coming in, to a call and setup, we wait until they are as close as they will come, and even then try to limit to under 200 yards.
Now with the 17's I/we keep shots under 100 yards. And our usual 17 bullet is the 17 grain tipped hornady.
I know he has taken coyotes and dropped them up to 300, maybe some other a little more. Myself I have made clean hit/kills on coyotes up to around 400. But again I try to keep and get them within 200, but sometimes they just plain hang up and sit out there and watch, so you take the shot if you have time and feel good with the set up, AND can range and dial them up. Bill K
If you take out human error what would you say is the maximum range/capability of the Fed 40 gr. nosler Ballistic Tip
Bill K
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Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Bill K »

I will say this, if you are not set up for, nor have time to do as I mentioned and are just shooting on a good average basis, then a person had better stick to 300 or less. If you are sighted in, with that load, for a hold of 1 to 1 1/2 inch high at 100 yards, you should get a hit on the average coyote, holding dead center, up too that 300 yard range. Again my thought. Bill K
Fordevr
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.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Got to play at 500 Yrds today with a very light wind. I wanted to know how accurate my drop cheat sheet is that I made using Federal's ballistic calculater so I set up a new target at 500 yrds. According to the chart I needed 34.1 inches so I dropped 3 lines down in my scope (each line is 2 moa) (at 500 yards 1 moa is 5inches so each line is 10 inches) now my bullet should be an additional 4.1 inches below that. I used the top of the Diamond as a poa because it was easy to see, so my poi should be 1.1inches below the bull and slightly right with the wind. Pretty stoked with that 5 shot group a 500yrds. I love my Tikka and I love this Federal Ammo. 40gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.😍
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Fordevr
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:12 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Opps the bottom of the target should say right to left. :idea:
Fordevr
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Posts: 61
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.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

So I got my first 2 coyotes with the Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic Tip 40 gr and they definitely got the job done. Had bad positioning with the first and Probly should have reached for the shotgun with hornady coyote nickel plated BB, but reached for the .204 instead.
52 yards on a surprisingly young 12lb 6 oz yote for this time of year. Made for a big hole. 2nd one was also small at 20lbs and 6oz only 70 yards but much better result. Both were bang flops. Will continue to use them this winter but really like em so far.πŸ‘
Fordevr
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Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:12 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Varmint Heavy Barrel SS

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by Fordevr »

Another yote today with the 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip and another perfect bang flop with no exit hole.
slickshot223
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage, Kimber, Contender

Re: .204 40gr. Nosler BT vs Hornady 40gr vmax

Post by slickshot223 »

Have shot very few Nosler and Vmax, started with the 39 gr Sierra and have had no reason to change! Mostly groundhogs and prairie dogs! They do not exit the groundhogs!! You know the results on prairie dogs!! :>)
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