204 Question

R

roc1

New member
I would like to know if a 204 would cleanly kill a Whitetail? I am not advocating using it just wondering if a well placed shot would kill it clean. I know a 22lr will kill one but I was wondering if anyone actually uses a 204 to hunt deer with. I have always not used anything smaller than the 243 just a inquiry.
Thanks
roc1
 
Its illegal where I'm at to use anything smaller than a .22 caliber centerfire round to take deer so I couldn't tell you.

I CAN tell you that a .204 Ruger will kill coyote out to 300yds easily.
 
ANYTHING will kill a deer under certain circumstances. Missouri just legalized the "atlatl", a stone age spear.
The spread of circumstances under which a certain caliber,round, or weapon system will kill becomes much smaller until the practicality of use as a hunting platform is negated.
I've engaged in arguments about the capability of the .223 Rem as a deer hunting tool many times w/o much success so I suppose the .204 will be the next "fools' endeavor" for this use.

In answer to the specific question, yes the .204 will kil a deer. Would it be a good choice as a deer hunting tool=NO. It is designed for and uses bullets designed for varmints. There are so many better options that using such a cartridge is just foolish.
 
More chance of a bullet blowing up on bone on the way in, resulting in a crippled deer that might die much later, unfound. The centerfire .22s are better, but still marginal because of a possible blow-up.
 
i killed a 175# sow with a shot between the eyes @ 40 yards. so will it kill a deer? As the post stated above. any gun can kill with the right shot placement and the right circumstances. possible yes, probable yes, should you - well that's your call...
 
If the 204 was the only rifle I had, and my family was hungry, the 204 would become a deer rifle. Otherwise, it's just a varmint round in my book.
 
Will it? Sure... As most have said, anything will do it with the right shot placement.
Would I? I suppose if the deer in question were trying to eat me or my family and the .204 was all I had for protection... other than that, no.
 
Shot placement...

Is key when using wee caliber rounds such as the .20 or .22. I'd say you'd have no problem with a neck/head shot.

If it was me, I probably wouldn't hunt medium size game with a varmint round. But it's doable as long as it's legal in your county.

I myself have killed a doe with a .22lr. I put it down after hitting it with my truck. I made the shot at around 60 yards though, although it was right between the eyes. So once again, placement is key.
 
There's a guy here in La. used one to take a real trophy buck, won several big buck contests in the state, till the fish and game boys got hold of him. Illegal in this state to use any bore size smaller than .22, cost him the deer and several thousand dollars. Can you kill with it? Sure. Not advisable in so many ways. Goat
 
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