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Joined: Jan 2001
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I know speed destroys.
Would a 204 leave enough of a fox to skin?

I have no experience with the round.

The thing looks to shoot very flat trajectory-wise, is there a bullet weight that is more fur friendly than others?

Or is it a destroyer, plain and simple?

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I shot a badger with my 204, 40 grain VMAX and it expended all its energy inside.


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The last coyote I shot with my 204 went about ten feet and fell over. 39 gr Sierra BlitzKing hit right bend the shoulder in the lungs and didn't exit. Shot was just under 200 yards. I've read that the 35 gr hp Berger is fur friendly, but I have no first hand experience with it.

Last edited by 222Sako; 04/18/19.

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I’ve shot several coyotes with 35 Berger’s. Bang flop and I don’t recall an exit.


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32 VMAX on coyotes showed no damage but I shot one fox at 200 yds facing me and it hit in the right shoulder area and had a lot of external damage at impact point do to hitting the bone area. Did a nice head mount from that area up on a piece of drift wood. Coyotes were 25 to 275 yds. and dropped where they stood.

I think if I was hunting fox I would go for shot placement and stay off the shoulder area. I like the 32's but a lot of people swear by the 35 Burgers. I used 39 Blitzkings on prairie dogs for their accuracy.

If you already have a 204 find what shoots the best and try it, just stay off the bones.


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204 is great on coyotes, but hell on fox. If you are going to shoot fox I'd suggest a 17 something. That's still no guarantee but your chances are better. Honestly I stopped shooting fox with any centerfire, even a 17FB, as there's usually too much stitching to make it worth while.


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Originally Posted by bbassi
204 is great on coyotes, but hell on fox. If you are going to shoot fox I'd suggest a 17 something. That's still no guarantee but your chances are better. Honestly I stopped shooting fox with any centerfire, even a 17FB, as there's usually too much stitching to make it worth while.



Kinda been my experience as well...for fox I like a heavier, slower bullet in a centerfire .22...my favorite is probably a slightly reduced load with a Hornady 50 grain SP in a .222 and Ive had excellent luck with a slightly reduced load in a .223 using a 60 gr NBT... ( Loads going about 2700 fps...)


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The BEST fox round IMO is a 22MAG shooting 40gr HP if you want to save fur. I'd guess the 17 HMR is right there too but I've never owned one.


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Thanks for all the info.

I’m thinking the 22WMR is the safe bet for fur.

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And the 204 trajectory, on paper, looks like a laser for coyotes.

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I've shot the chambering a bunch,as well as the Tac20 and the like...which is all WANTING.

Bullets matter wayyyyyyyyyy more than headstamps.

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So are you saying that for use on fox when hunting for pelts, all .20 caliber bullets are inferior?
Or just for coyotes?

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I currently have a RAR-P in 204 that is very accurate with both 32 and 40 grain AMax.

I haven't seen a FMJ .204" component bullet that would be more fur friendly than the AMax that I've been shooting. Small animals hit with a fragile .204" bullet tend to disintegrate, while 'cats and foxes often end up with such large wounds that whatever internal organs are left inside the body can be shaken out through the wounds. Coyotes are bigger/tougher, but fist size wounds are the norm, all with major damage to the hide.


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