The Firearms Forum - Gun Community - View Single Post - Whats the best caliber of rifle for varmits?

montveil · 11-25-2012, 11:45 AM

The federal site lists a 60 grain nosler bullet with 250 foot pounds energy , a 42 inch 10 mph crosswind drift and a 13 inch drop with a 100 yard zero.
This would be outside of my capabilities to hit the vitals (5 inch) on a STANDING coyote.
It is commonly considered that a minimum of 700 foot pounds is necessary to bring down a deer and that is reached around 150 yards.
If you are shooting coyotes I would think you would be OK out to 300 yards IF YOU CAN PLACE A SHOT CONSISTANTY IN A 5 INCH CIRCLE. That includes accurate range estimation and wind doping. Range shooting is one thing and field hunting is another.
The above basics will be necessary for any caliber.
I think the 223 is fine for deer out to 150 yards with partition bullets and further on coyotes if one's marksmanship is adequate.
Some how I wonder how the military figures a 5.56 mm can regularly kill a man out to 400 yards with approximately 400 foot pounds-- the military 5.56 undoubtedly is loaded hotter but the example still stands ( I believe that is the Marine qualification distance)
For long distance shooting a larger caliber will buck the wind better 243, 6.5 ...
Just some thoughts from this quarter

11-25-2012, 11:45 AM	#13
montveil Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: mountains of NC Boone area Posts: 24	Re: Whats the best caliber of rifle for varmits? The federal site lists a 60 grain nosler bullet with 250 foot pounds energy , a 42 inch 10 mph crosswind drift and a 13 inch drop with a 100 yard zero. This would be outside of my capabilities to hit the vitals (5 inch) on a STANDING coyote. It is commonly considered that a minimum of 700 foot pounds is necessary to bring down a deer and that is reached around 150 yards. If you are shooting coyotes I would think you would be OK out to 300 yards IF YOU CAN PLACE A SHOT CONSISTANTY IN A 5 INCH CIRCLE. That includes accurate range estimation and wind doping. Range shooting is one thing and field hunting is another. The above basics will be necessary for any caliber. I think the 223 is fine for deer out to 150 yards with partition bullets and further on coyotes if one's marksmanship is adequate. Some how I wonder how the military figures a 5.56 mm can regularly kill a man out to 400 yards with approximately 400 foot pounds-- the military 5.56 undoubtedly is loaded hotter but the example still stands ( I believe that is the Marine qualification distance) For long distance shooting a larger caliber will buck the wind better 243, 6.5 ... Just some thoughts from this quarter __________________ montveil in the NC mountains (Boone area) Salute All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.