No .204 Ruger factory load we have sourced carries 1,500 ft·lb for elk past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Varmint & Predator 32 gr Hornady V-Max | 32 | wrong bullet | 4,100 | 230 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 24 gr NTX | 24 | wrong bullet | 4,400 | 131 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 32 gr V-MAX | 32 | wrong bullet | 4,225 | 248 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 40 gr V-MAX | 40 | wrong bullet | 3,900 | 395 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma Hornady V-MAX (Norma-loaded) 39 gr | 39 | wrong bullet | 3,806 | 363 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler 32 gr Varmageddon FB Tipped | 32 | wrong bullet | 4,000 | 204 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 32 gr Ballistic Tip Lead Free Varmint | 32 | wrong bullet | 3,975 | 247 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip Varmint | 40 | wrong bullet | 3,625 | 265 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier AccuTip-V 32 gr | 32 | wrong bullet | 4,225 | 248 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier AccuTip-V 40 gr | 40 | wrong bullet | 3,900 | 395 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Varmint X 32 gr Polymer Tip | 32 | wrong bullet | 4,000 | 216 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.