Tikka T3X 204 Ruger Hornday 40gr vs 32gr Vmax

Did a quick site in today of Stacy's new rifle but wasn't really impressed with how the 40 grains shot. Was cold and rushed so decided to fine tune tonight and check to see if the 32 grains shot better. First test was close but the second group sealed the deal, was quite surprised. Also wouldn't hesitate to hunt coyotes with either round out to 200 yards without any need to re-zero as they seem to hit the same. Really impressed with this rifle, cycles so smooth and looks to be a shooter. There were only 14 rounds down the barrel prior to this video.

[@adriansams6066]

Really enjoyed your video. A year or so ago I was looking to buy a .204 but here in England the factory ammunition isn't readily available and I'm yet to start my re-loading journey so I bought a .223 REM Tikka T3X CTR which I have to say I love. It's sooo accurate with factory ammunition but I's still like a 204 Ruger and when I do start re-loading I will definitely buy one and probably a Tikka...... All the best and regards from England.. :-)

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Thanks Adrian hopefully you eventually get that 204. I don’t own a 223 but hear good things about them. Cheers from Canada

[@joelmcmahan7386]

It’s just a sweet little shooter. Good luck you guys. 👍🇨🇦

[@FORDEVR]

My tikka heavy barrel loved the 32’s also. Great Rifles!

[@222triple]

Considering the barrel is not broken in and you’re using factory ammunition shooting in less than ideal conditions I think you have an excellent rifle. Check the twist rate of your Sako and compare to your Tikka. If the Sako shoots 40’s better it probably has a little faster twist or maybe just broken in. I remember when I was in the AF stationed in Germany I had to requalify with the M16 as I was going back to SEA for the third time ( this was 1969). We had to shoot 70 rounds in all positions and slow and rapid fire. We got a gunny sack to lay on the snow and when I came to slow fire rounds I shot just as fast as I did in rapid fire. Range master said these are slow fire. I said I know I don’t like laying or kneeling in the snow. I asked him how I was doing when we were nearly done and he said since you’re not slow firing anything you’re doing really well. Iron sights @ 100 yards rapid fire 70 rounds you could cover with a coke can. I wish I could have kept that rifle. Got me the small arms expert ribbon 😂. I just wanted to get out of the snow. It’s not my thing. Don’t know how you do it! Kudos

[@codyoslin6594]

That is some impressive results. It'll be interesting to see if Stacy is running this gun or the Sako in the next video. 🤣🤣🤣 Its awesome to see how your channel has grown in such a short time. Way to go you two.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Ha she will be shooting this one!

[@hhblair44]

Similar experience with my Savage 12FV. Not much difference between 32 and 40 grain. Zeroed at 200 yards, and not enough difference between 100 yard to 300 yard performance to make any elevation compensation unless I'm only shooting groundhogs in the eye.

[@jeffsangwin1412]

That’s a nice shooting rifle! I’ve always used the 32 grain my ruger Hawkeye and have had great results, just started reloading with 32gr vmax , they also shoot great love your videos!

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Thanks Jeff plan to do a head to head Sako vs Tikka at 5 or 600 yards soon

[@jackmyers6040]

Very much the same maybe a touch tighter group ! From my varmint heavy barrel Ruger m-77 !

[@destinationxterra]

Great rifle! This will be my next rifle in left hand ..... Good job ✌🏻

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

No time like the present!

[@Roy-zp6le]

Nice grouping on the new rifle Brandon. I’m sure Stacy will drop a few yotes with it. Liked it when you said if there’s a miss, we know it’s not the gun, lmao. But as an avid watcher of your videos, I’m sure there will b some slaying done. 🐺🐺Thanks for the view👍🤙

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Just need the weather to cooperate crazy winds for the next four days makes calling tough

[@kevpeacock3059]

Nice vid mate. I found pretty much the same results in my own T3X Super Varmint Stainless. But when I switched to using the 39 grain Sierra Blitz King I near fell off my perch. I cannot understand why a rifle prefers a particular type of projectile, 1" groups with the 40 gn V-max at 200 yards went to 1/4" groups at the same distance with the SBK's. And they are absolutely devastating on our wild dogs here (which would be pretty similar to your coyotes). The 32gn V-max groups are just one hole at 200 and give me 1" groups at 550 yards on a calm day. All handloads though and I did play with the bedding screws with my torque wrench to get the groups closed down to where they are. It has been a nice change from using my T3X SVS in 6.5x55se on the dogs as it had a bit too much recoil for being really comfortable using the ATN X sight 2. So the 6.5 now lives with a Burris EL3 and the X sight rides on the .204. Happy hunting mate.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Thanks for the info Kev. I wish I had more time to hand load but with as little as o shoot I’ve always found factory ammo that worked good enough.

[@billreger2686]

My CZ likes the 32's the best for factory ammo

[@timwilcoxsr2712]

Changed the stock back I see, nice shooting gun.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Ha, ya Stacy didn’t like the chassis 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@heathgerig6849]

Interested in your analysis of your scope vs hers.

[@danielmastin3606]

Sweet Rifle, I think she likes the 32s!! Awesome shooting

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Yup I’ll run the test again after a few hundred rounds down the barrel bit til then going to run 32’s

[@jeffbadger462]

Some 12 twist won't stabalize 40 gr. Try the 35 gr. berger and vvn 133 @ 24.5 grains and a cci 400 primer.They really are hard on coyotes.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

@@jeffbadger462 ya I’ve read that my Sako shoots them fine. I don’t hand load so will just stick with 32’s

[@tmoney1116]

Just curious wouldn't it be better to use 40grain for better nock down power on a coyote or is there not enough difference to matter and I really like that you show the tactacam footage thanks

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Typically go with whatever shoots best. Hit lots with 32 and 40 grain don’t notice much difference in knock down power.

[@deserteagle.44]

Great rifle. When I'm in Australia hunting foxes, I use the same one . When in Arizona, I use the AR 204 I built with a shillen match barrel. They both love the 40 grainer Vmax bullets. Do you load your own or prefer to shoot factory?

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Factory

[@jdbarton9886]

Only thing I would add is a good shooting mat to with bipod slots to preload your bipod on and maybe some squeeze bags. I like wool socks with popcorn kernels for my rear rest and squeeze bags. Hard shooting on hard snow like that. Looks like you may have not been right behind your rifle just judging by where the cross hairs went after your shot. May have been a little of the issue with the groups being inconsistent. Definitely not knocking your shooting. Just my pointers that I saw. Great shooting and vid as always.

[@coltonc8367]

Mine didn't like the 40vmax either. No matter what powder or primer I used it would always have at least 1 flyer with them. Ill have to pick up some 32s and see how it does. I bet they are a flat shooting bullet

[@gotjuice7160]

40's will shoot better but you really have to drive them hard. H322 Powder is your friend.

[@vitoballiana3544]

What is the scope cam you’re using Where did you buy it from

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Tactacam with FTS mount

[@bluepunk182]

Is that a Chow Lab mix? My wife and I had some that looked just like yours...

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Lab/husky and Akita.

[@jtn-minn8105]

You mention re-supply your ammo supply? Is it as hard to find/buy in Canada too?

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Haven’t noticed any shortage here yet for any caliber we have. Our town is tiny. It much for supply here so usually buy when I go to a larger town or city. Had a good supply of 204 ammo stocked up haven’t had to buy for a few years

[@jtn-minn8105]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt That's good news to be able to buy ammo, good luck in the coming weeks hunting coy-dogs....

[@melpetewoloshyn269]

Saweeeet!

[@bobbygreen2291]

I’m gonna have to find a way to get you those two boxes of 32 grains hornady

[@baitammo4652]

I've owned a few 204s and have never had one with a one in 12 twist that would shoot the 40s. Lights out with 32s but it takes a one in 11 twist to stableize the 40 vmax. I've shot quite a few coyote with the 32s and a few with the 4os, never met a coyote that could tell any difference! lol It's not a 22-250 but it kills pretty dang close to as good. Good enough that I havn't used my 22-250 for 5 or 6 years. Don't get me wrong, the 250 is still king but sumthing about the litle 204 is just plain fun to use. I just does'nt look like it should kill as good as it does! What's your oppinion? I believe you two hunt wolves with the 22-250 maybe coyote also?

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Well long ago I compared ballistics of 204 vs 22-250 and the 204 seemed better to me. I believe a 40gr 204 outperformed a 50gr 22-250. It wasn’t until you got to some quite heavier 22-250 bullets that the 22-250 pulled away. Being a dedicated coyote rifle went with 204 but if using one to hunt both coyotes and wolves 22-250 would be better. But I like to carry my 6.5 when chasing wolves.

[@baitammo4652]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt yes bullet selection is key to a cartridge conversation. I started hunting coyote with a 243 because that’s what I had available when I was 12. I used it until I was 19. It really is a great caliber though too much bone can make a fair bit of sowing. At 19 I bought a 22-250 and shot every bullet imaginable but settled on 55 gr BTips. They kill better on marginal shots than the 204 but good chest shots don’t matter much. Used to shoot lots and lots of coyote running and I think that’s where the 55 22-250 has the advantage over the 204. It slows em up a little better if not stops them longer for a follow up shot. Especially on straight aways. My back went to crap around the time that I started playing with the 204. I only had one rifle that would shoot the 40s so most of my comparison is 32 vs 55. This is just one mans opinion but I do have many hundreds of coyote kills for a database. Wolves, I’ve never seen one. Pretty scarce in part of the world and I hope it stays that way! Good luck and happy hunting!

[@MrProfchaos71]

Is 750 a good price for The Tikka T3 in .204 with a DMZ one piece scope mount , 2 mags, and 100 rounds of 32gr V max ?

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

I’d have to say yes in Canada we’d pay almost that much for just the ammo

[@thecamocowboyoutdoors5693]

Good shooting Brandon. I have a 204 in Remington 700 SPS Varmint with 26 inch barrel. It digests the 32GR better than the 40s as well. Could almost shoot the dick off a gnat with that setup. Best wishes

[@jeffreywilson690]

Anyone try the Lehigh defense rounds or bullets in their hand loads. Have had some dealings with the 204 I think it boils down to rifling twist between the 32s and the 40. I was thinking they actually sold a 55 grain somewhere.

[@prairiefalcon9494]

nice groups for 200 yards.

[@frombaffinisland7545]

I wonder how that compares to my browning 204, it's a heavy gun to carry around and I think that's why it's discontinued, I like it tho and impressed my friends and relatives with it

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

I like our Brownings but didn’t really want another Max/target for a Varmint rifle wanted something a bit lighter

[@frombaffinisland7545]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt thanks for the awesome videos. The most straight up comparison I've seen and I'm getting the 6.5 prc in the near future

[@nw2556]

My Remington VLS shoots the 32's way better also. The V-max and the Sierra's shoot identical. My friend has a 204, can't remember what the rifle is, but same thing, 32 grain pills all day over the 40's. I am going to try the 35 grain Berger HPFB next once sled season is over!!

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Ya I was surprised cause my Sako with 12” twist always did good with the 40’s but I read lots some rifles with 12” twist struggle with 40’s.

[@jeffbadger462]

40's in a 11 twist krieger 24 inch barrel on a 40x Rem action,3820 fps average using vv 133.

[@ivobiancucci4528]

👍

[@89pusstang302]

I've shot both 40 and 32 grain out of my .204 and I could never get the 40s to give me a good group and once I went to the 32s I could cover a five bullet group with a quarter.

[@stewartw7248]

The 40 needs a 1 in 11 or 1 in 10 twist to work best

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

My Sako with a 1 in 12” does just fine but heard a lot of rifles struggle. Check this video out at almost 500 yards kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYDcZISHh8ifaM0

[@weshill2367]

Theme dogs are in trouble now good luck keep shutting I’ve done pretty well this year my self

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Ya only problem last days off was -40 and this week seems to be 50mph winds!

[@rudysroots2789]

You killing wolfs with the 204?

[@jamesturner7728]

I have a 204 rugar loves s.b.k 39 grain 26.4 grains of powder

[@pstrippy6852]

Dang power full gun i shoot twelve gauge and bout to start on a 30-6

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

This ones just a plinker only really good for coyotes and anything smaller nowhere close to a 30-06. But looking to be a shooter so happy with the purchase and hope Stacy enjoys it now we got it all sorted out for her.

[@pstrippy6852]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt yea well y’all enjoy that I usually never comment but I love the vids and I’m thrilled to get a response thank you and you have made my day

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

@@pstrippy6852 ha. No worries bud we try to respond to all positive comments. Glad you are watching and commenting we appreciate every one of our supporters. What you planning on hunting with your 30-06?

[@pstrippy6852]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt I’m from Louisiana and me and my dad usually dog run but I enjoy steal hunting also

[@pstrippy6852]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt WhiteTail deer sorry I’m just seeing this

[@boosted2813]

Nice I had same results with 40's vs 32's Try some 35gr berger's amazing coyote killing bullet. Also seem to lose that one out of the group we like to blame on us.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Unfortunately three small kids at home and work 8 days away from home in camp and then only home for 6 not a whole bunch of time to get into reloading.

[@Skyhawks1979]

The 40 grain with a higher BC perform better than the 32 grain at distances 400 yards and beyond. Good for about 700 yards on a coyote size animal.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

219 ft lbs at 700 yards… 500 is pushing it on a coyote IMO

[@Skyhawks1979]

@@BrandonandStacyHunt Id only take the shot at 700 if it were perfect conditions. 500 yards...all day long if the wind direction is favorable.

[@rgthomson100]

Its all i shoot in my 204 is 32 vmax nice and flat to 300 if left half minute high at 100

[@justinbeauchane4786]

Yep tighter on this video

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Yes sir like I said in the video shoots better than most shooters. Thanks for the comments.

[@user-hs3wc3zf8b]

Цэис,Гут. Наснег неложысь,Яица простудиш!!!!!.

[@Kjell_H]

What I see Brandon is that's alot of mirage going on. You can never achieve thight groups in those conditions. Then.....it shoud be Stacy lying there, not you. It's her rifle.......or?😀 Otherwise good.

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

Ya was some mirage and possible eye piece not quite focused for tactacam. Yes it’s here lol but I like to make sure it’s set up and shooting good. She can shoot just doesn’t know a ton about sighting in. She’s getting there though.

[@rodneyschneider1080]

shootinh way to fasttttttttttttttttttt!!!

[@BrandonandStacyHunt]

How so?