Coyote vs Federal Premium 40 Gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip

[Fordevr]

I have taken a lot of coyotes with the .204 and hornady 32 grain vmax. Recently switched to 40gr vmax and then put them up against the federal nosler bt today and was shoked at the results. Anyone have any actual coyote shooting experience with this federal round. Just curious if they have similar knock down/explosiveness power as a vmax. They even dropped slightly less, and were much more consistent.

[densa44]

I don't want to insult you but I need to know. How well do you normally shoot? What range were these shots? Did you use a chronograph? Were there any unusual weather (wind conditions)?

That will help.

BTW I shoot and reload for the .204 and the groups are smaller than yours. My wife killed a coyote at over 300 M with hers.

[Smokinyotes]

I use the 55gr bt in my 243. I was surprised how little damage there was on some of the coyotes I shot.

[Fordevr]

That's factory ammo at 300 yrds. Dead calm. No chrono. On a rest I can do reasonably well. If I have time I might do the same test but shoot the hornady first and the federal second and see if that makes a difference...depending if the wind is calm again.

But then again no disrespect densa44 but I'm not looking for ballistics data just want to know if anyone has used these factory loads and if they kill as well as the hornady vmax do

[Fordevr]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

I use the 55gr bt in my 243. I was surprised how little damage there was on some of the coyotes I shot.

I would like to use a .243 but the low recoil and almost 100% no pelt damage makes me a huge fan of the .204. I just got to shoot at +100 yards or use the 12 gauge between 10-40 yards with hornady coyote nickel plated bb. If I could find a factory load that wouldn't blow them up in .243 I'd probably switch.

[Smokinyotes]

I have found my 22-250 with 50gr v max to do significantly more damage to a coyote than the 243 with 55gr bt

[Fordevr]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

I have found my 22-250 with 50gr v max to do significantly more damage to a coyote than the 243 with 55gr bt

I have often wondered about a 22-250 at 100plus with 55 gr. vmax because that's what Les Johnson uses and it doesn't appear that he has many big holes. If your looking for a great round that smacks them hard and no exit holes the .204 vmax 32 gr has always been my goto round but I might try these noslers this year. If they have the same effect as the vmax then I'm in.😁 Sounds like you have an excuse to get a new rifle smokinyotes or have you tried the .204 in the past?

[densa44]

I haven't noticed any difference. On coyotes they are usually moving and the range can only be guessed at so as long as the dog drops I'm happy.

[tikka250]

I cant speak for em in 20 cal but i have used the 50 grain .224 noslers for gopher loads and i will say that they are slightly less explosive than the vmax if that helps any. I know i killed a few coyotes with them but i dont recal the results.

[heretohunt]

I have both of the 243 and 204 and I have found both can do damage and both can do zero damage. Rarely does the 204 do damage. In the 243 I use the 55 grain ballistic tip and in the .204 I use the Berger 35 grain.
I find both to be shockingly accurate however I often choose the 243 as of lately because it is a lighter rifle and I like a little bit of extra horsepower due to the amount of wolf opportunities. I have killed a wolf with the 204 and I can tell you that it's really not enough gun. I shot it and it dropped with a broken shoulder from fairly close range. Then it got up and kept on going when I shot it again behind the shoulder it took a little while to die. If I would have had the 243 I would have a shot a few more out of that pack. I chose not to shoot because I didn't want a bunch of wounded wolves.
The coyotes that I have shot with the 243 have all died like they got hit by the hammer of Thor. A few had damage however I don't mind doing a bit of sewing. A bad hit from the 204 nearly caused equal damage.
Smokinyotes, I assume from your name you kill a lot of coyotes. Is the 243 your go to?

[Smokinyotes]

I have used a 22-250 for many years. Two years ago I started using the 243. They both flatten coyotes.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

I have used a 22-250 for many years. Two years ago I started using the 243. They both flatten coyotes.

How often do you get fur damage?

[Smokinyotes]

If you hit them in the shoulder both do damage but I don't get the football sized holes with the ballistic tips like I do with the vmax. I haven't tried ballistic tips in the 22-250.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

If you hit them in the shoulder both do damage but I don't get the football sized holes with the ballistic tips like I do with the vmax. I haven't tried ballistic tips in the 22-250.

All of my damage seems to come from too high or too low shots. No shoulder damage shots yet with either.
I was hunting with a friend once with my 204 and he hit it in the back hip. Lots of damage. I shot one at the same time with the 243 face on in the centre of his chest. Can't find a hole until I skinned it.

[Smokinyotes]

Straight on shots with the ballistic tips seem to work well.

[Fordevr]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

I have both of the 243 and 204 and I have found both can do damage and both can do zero damage. Rarely does the 204 do damage. In the 243 I use the 55 grain ballistic tip and in the .204 I use the Berger 35 grain.
A bad hit from the 204 nearly caused equal damage.

Do you get .204 damage if your out past 100 yrds? I find at under 100yrds the .204 does damage, but past that I've never get a exit hole. Took my brother in law out to call his first coyote and I even let him use my tikka .204 since he didn't own a rifle. He did lots of practice shots on paper and then when he shot and dropped his first one at 40-50 yards with no exit wound I asked where he aimed? Right between the front legs like you told me. Turns out that meant right in the head.😂 I was blown away that it didn't exit out the back of the head. 100-300 is the sweet spot for my .204 I might have to try the .243 at 100 plus with ballistic tip.🤔

[Fordevr]

Originally Posted by densa44

I haven't noticed any difference. On coyotes they are usually moving and the range can only be guessed at so as long as the dog drops I'm happy.

Next time give a loud but short "yelp" or "Bark" they usually will stop and look at you. Especially when they get to a tree line or cover. I'll usually range s few spots where I think they might come out prior to calling also. Another reason I love my .204... 0-230 yards I put the cross hairs on em and 4 in. High at 300.
Easy to remember

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Fordevr

Do you get .204 damage if your out past 100 yrds? I find at under 100yrds the .204 does damage, but past that I've never get a exit hole. Took my brother in law out to call his first coyote and I even let him use my tikka .204 since he didn't own a rifle. He did lots of practice shots on paper and then when he shot and dropped his first one at 40-50 yards with no exit wound I asked where he aimed? Right between the front legs like you told me. Turns out that meant right in the head.😂 I was blown away that it didn't exit out the back of the head. 100-300 is the sweet spot for my .204 I might have to try the .243 at 100 plus with ballistic tip.🤔

.204 damage is rare but it seems like they were all close shots🤔

[Fordevr]

Shot the 3 rounds of hornady first and then the federal nosler right after. Pretty much same results. I'm thinking my scope might be messed up though cause they were all higher on target for some reason. Same conditions. The hornady usually was much tighter in the past.

Hornady left side
Federal. Right side