Federal Varmint & Predator Ammunition: The Ultimate Choice for Precision Small Game and Predator Control

For serious hunters and marksmen who demand unwavering precision and devastating terminal performance on small game and predators, the Federal Varmint & Predator .204 Ruger 32 gr Hornady V-Max ammunition stands as a peerless option. This meticulously engineered load, identified by SKU V204VM32, is specifically designed to address the challenges of varmint and predator hunting, where pinpoint accuracy and immediate, ethical incapacitation are paramount. If you're wondering what the best ammunition for prairie dogs, coyotes, or other elusive predators might be, or how to achieve consistent, explosive results in the field, this Federal offering provides a definitive answer.

Unrivaled Precision and Devastating Performance for Discerning Hunters

The core challenge in varmint and predator hunting is combining extreme accuracy with a bullet that delivers rapid, humane kills without over-penetration or ricochet hazards. Federal's Varmint & Predator line, particularly the .204 Ruger 32 grain Hornady V-Max configuration, is purpose-built to meet these exacting demands. This ammunition isn't just about shooting; it's about connecting with your target with surgical precision and observing the immediate, decisive impact that prevents suffering and ensures a clean harvest.

Hunters often ask: "What makes Federal Varmint & Predator ammunition so effective?" The answer lies in a synergistic combination of premium components and Federal's renowned manufacturing excellence. Each round is a testament to Federal's commitment to quality, featuring extremely reliable brass casings, consistent primers, and precisely measured propellant charges. This ensures shot-to-shot consistency, which translates directly into tighter groups downrange and predictable performance in various environmental conditions.

The Power of the .204 Ruger Caliber

The .204 Ruger is a cartridge celebrated among varmint and predator hunters for its incredibly flat trajectory and blistering velocity. Introduced in 2004, it quickly gained a reputation for being one of the fastest commercial cartridges available. When paired with lightweight, high-performance bullets, the .204 Ruger minimizes bullet drop over extended ranges, simplifying holdover calculations and increasing the probability of first-shot hits. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in wide-open spaces typical of varmint hunting, where targets can appear at various, often unpredictable, distances.

What are the benefits of hunting with a .204 Ruger?

• Exceptional Velocity: The .204 Ruger propels lightweight bullets at extremely high speeds, with the Federal 32-grain V-Max reaching an astonishing 4100 feet per second (fps) at the muzzle. This high velocity leads to a very flat trajectory.
• Minimal Recoil: Despite its impressive speed, the .204 Ruger produces very little felt recoil, allowing shooters to maintain their sight picture and quickly spot impacts, which is crucial for follow-up shots or observing group consistency.
• Precision Accuracy: The inherently accurate design of the cartridge, combined with the right rifle and quality ammunition like Federal, allows for sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) groups, making it ideal for precision shooting at small targets.

The Hornady V-Max Bullet: Engineered for Explosive Expansion

At the heart of the Federal Varmint & Predator V204VM32 is the legendary 32-grain Hornady V-Max bullet. This is not just any bullet; it's a specialized projectile meticulously engineered for rapid, explosive fragmentation upon impact with minimal resistance.

What makes the Hornady V-Max bullet ideal for varmint hunting?

• Polymer Tip: The distinctive polymer tip initiates rapid, violent expansion immediately upon impact, ensuring that all of the bullet's energy is transferred within the target. This prevents over-penetration and minimizes ricochets.
• Boattail Design: The aerodynamic boattail profile and sharp, pointed tip contribute to an excellent ballistic coefficient, meaning the bullet retains more velocity and flies flatter over longer distances.
• Match-Grade Jacketing: The precise manufacturing of the gilding metal jacket ensures concentricity and uniformity, which is critical for maintaining accuracy, especially at extreme velocities.
• Lead Core: A swaged lead core provides the necessary mass for reliable performance while allowing for the rapid fragmentation characteristic of the V-Max design.

The combined effect of these features is a bullet that delivers devastating, almost instantaneous, incapacitation of small game and predators. For creatures like prairie dogs, groundhogs, and similar sized pests, the explosive expansion often results in "vaporization" or a complete disruption of the animal, making for a clean, ethical dispatch and providing clear visual confirmation of a hit. For larger predators like coyotes and foxes, the rapid energy transfer ensures a quick, humane end, reducing tracking time and preventing wounded animals from escaping.

Key Performance Metrics: Speed and Energy Unleashed

The specifications of the Federal Varmint & Predator .204 Ruger 32 gr Hornady V-Max are truly impressive and speak volumes about its capabilities.

• Muzzle Velocity: 4100 fps (feet per second)
  • This is an exceptionally high velocity, placing it among the fastest commercial loads available. Such speed results in a remarkably flat trajectory, reducing the need for extensive holdover adjustments even at extended ranges. It also contributes significantly to the bullet's terminal performance, ensuring rapid and complete expansion.
• Muzzle Energy: 1194 ft lbs (foot-pounds)
  • While often associated with larger game, 1194 ft lbs of energy delivered by a rapidly expanding 32-grain bullet is more than sufficient for small game and predators. The key is how this energy is transferred. The V-Max design ensures that nearly all of this energy is deposited within the target, leading to that characteristic explosive effect rather than punching through.

These figures are not just numbers; they represent the engineering excellence that goes into every box of Federal Varmint & Predator ammunition. They assure hunters that they are deploying a round capable of consistent, ethical, and effective performance on the intended targets.

Ideal Applications for Federal Varmint & Predator Ammunition

This specific ammunition is a specialized tool for specialized tasks. It is not designed for big game hunting, but rather excels where high velocity, flat trajectory, and immediate, decisive terminal performance on smaller targets are required.

1. Prairie Dog and Groundhog Extermination

For many, the .204 Ruger loaded with 32-grain V-Max bullets is the quintessential prairie dog and groundhog round. These small targets can be numerous and require rapid engagements at varying distances. The flat trajectory minimizes ranging errors, and the explosive nature of the V-Max ensures that even a slight hit results in complete incapacitation, often a spectacular visual event. This makes the Federal V204VM32 a top recommendation for dedicated varmint safaris.

2. Coyote and Fox Hunting

When pursuing coyotes or foxes, particularly those that are educated or at longer distances, precise shot placement and quick takedowns are critical. The speed of the .204 Ruger aids in connecting with these fast-moving animals, and the V-Max's rapid expansion minimizes pelt damage compared to bullets designed for deeper penetration. This makes it an excellent choice for predator control and recreational hunting alike, especially when preserving the fur is a consideration, as the bullet typically fragments inside without creating a large exit wound.

3. Ethical Small Game Control

Beyond specific species, this ammunition is highly effective for general small game control where swift, humane dispatch is the priority. Whether dealing with nuisance animals on agricultural land or managing populations, the Federal Varmint & Predator line ensures that animals are dispatched cleanly and efficiently.

The Federal Quality Assurance: A Foundation of Trust

Federal Premium Ammunition has long been a trusted name in the shooting sports and hunting communities. Their reputation is built on decades of producing reliable, high-performance ammunition. When you choose Federal Varmint & Predator, you're not just buying bullets; you're investing in a product backed by rigorous quality control and a commitment to excellence.

• Consistent Primers: Each primer is precisely seated and delivers a uniform ignition, contributing to consistent velocities and pressures.
• Premium Brass Casings: Federal utilizes high-quality brass that is durable, consistent in dimensions, and capable of handling the high pressures generated by the .204 Ruger cartridge. This reliability is paramount for smooth feeding and extraction.
• Optimized Propellant: The powder charge is carefully selected and metered to achieve the stated muzzle velocity and energy, ensuring reliable performance across a range of temperatures and conditions.

This meticulous attention to detail at every stage of manufacturing is what gives Federal Varmint & Predator ammunition its renowned reliability and consistency, allowing hunters to focus on the shot without worrying about their ammunition's performance.

Enhancing Your Hunting Experience with Federal Ammunition

Optimizing your hunting success goes beyond just choosing the right ammunition; it involves understanding its capabilities and integrating it into your overall strategy. With Federal Varmint & Predator .204 Ruger 32 gr Hornady V-Max (V204VM32), you are equipping yourself with a tool that provides significant advantages:

• Confidence in Long Shots: The flat trajectory of the .204 Ruger with this lightweight V-Max bullet makes ethical long-range shots on varmints more achievable, reducing the margin for error.
• Reduced Ricochet Risk: The explosive fragmentation of the V-Max bullet significantly reduces the risk of dangerous ricochets, a crucial safety consideration, especially in rocky terrain or areas where background hazards exist.
• Efficient Field Performance: Rapid and complete energy transfer means less tracking and more productive hunting time.
• Superior Value: While premium ammunition, the consistent performance and ethical outcomes it delivers provide exceptional value to the serious hunter.

For those seeking to stock up on this high-performance ammunition, Federal Varmint & Predator .204 Ruger 32 gr Hornady V-Max (SKU: V204VM32) is conveniently available at reputable retailers such as DEGuns.com. DEGuns offers competitive pricing and a reliable source for your hunting and shooting needs, ensuring you have access to the ammunition that will elevate your varmint and predator control efforts. Each box contains 20 rounds, and for larger volume needs, cases of 10 boxes (200 rounds total) are available, providing ample supply for extended hunting trips or high-volume shooting.

Invest in the proven precision and terminal performance of Federal Varmint & Predator ammunition. Equip your .204 Ruger rifle with the 32-grain Hornady V-Max, and experience the confidence that comes from using ammunition truly optimized for explosive expansion and pinpoint accuracy.

Product Specifications: Federal Varmint & Predator Ammunition

Feature	Detail
Brand	Federal
Model	Varmint & Predator
Caliber	.204 Ruger
Bullet Type	Hornady V-Max
Bullet Weight	32 gr
Muzzle Velocity	4100 fps
Muzzle Energy	1194 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Casing Material	Brass
Game Type	Small Game
Application	Hunting
SKU	V204VM32
UPC	604544647860
MPN	V204VM32