Whats the best caliber of rifle for varmits?

[RugerUser]

Groundhog, coyote and such. I'm in the market for a good rifle to shoot these types of varmits and looking for some input.

[rcairflr]

For accuracy out to 400-500 yards, availabilty and cost of ammo, it's hard to beat the .223

[woolleyworm]

I would look at a 22-250 or 243. 25-06 is another good choice, but would definitely have to be a reloader as ammo is harder to come by.
Still alot of other factors that come into play though, as RC eluded to.
What range are you anticipating and how much shooting do you plan on?
If you plan on alot of shooting, then go with a caliber that is readily available if you don't handload.

[American Leader]

I agree with the worm but .223 is hard to beat for cost even reloading.

[Ruger_Fan]

Groundhogs are not a big problem in my area. We have a few and they are fairly easy to kill. I use a Hi Point 9mm carbine on coyotes. Shooting coyotes in this are is a close range affair. I just ride along the edges of field that coyotes frequent in a pick up truck. Once we spot the coyotes it's on. After a few coyote casualties they usually move on.

[aa1911]

.223 is my vote, hard to beat for cost and accuracy not to mention a good match ballistically for most small to medium game.

[RugerUser]

Thanks for the input guys. As for the amount of shooting and range once the gun is sighted in there would'nt be much...maybe 150-400 rounds a year. Range could be anywere from 25-300 yards.

[rcairflr]

.223, nothing more is needed for that type of shooting.

[Zhurh]

Get a 6.8 AR; you'll end up having that gun with you wherever you go.

[GunnyGene]

I rarely shoot more than 100yds at varmints (armadillo, coon, possum, groundhog, etc.), so a .22mag does the job for me. I like the Hornady .22mag Vmax (ballistic tip) in my old Win 9422M, and the ammo is cheap. Longer ranges I agree with the .223 comments.

[gun runner]

.223, .270 and .308. I been shooting rabbits with my .308. I had probaly tooken about 11 of them with my .308 since I got my .308 2 months ago.

[Shootinblanks]

I don't know how much punch a .223 will have at 500 yds on a coyote, but I know my 22-250 has done a nice job at that range on a lot of rockchucks. They would probably mass out about the same as the western coyotes I've seen. In the east the 'yotes run considerably larger.

[montveil]

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

[GunnyGene]

Originally Posted by montveil

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)

Nope. Here's the USMC firearms qual. MARINE CORPS ORDER 3574.2K (2007) http://community.marines.mil/news/pu...%203574.2K.pdf. Still 200, 300 and 500 meters (yds when I served), in various positions.

Btw, the above is a pretty good drill for those wishing to hone their rifle and pistol skills.

[Maine04657]

I use .204 for yote here in Maine the longest shot so far was just under 450 yards and took the yote NP. I have practice with it out to 600 as long as my aim is true they rarely run more then 20 yards if that...

[whizzer]

Go with the 243 cal, good all around for varmits, deer . Good to reload also Use a 308 cartiage and neck it down. also Good accuracy and shot.

[al45lc]

I'm a 6mm fan, better wind characteristics where I shoot.
As an aside, The Military doesn't neccessarily want to kill all the time, a wounded man requires more men to attend to him, so wounding capacity is a prime consideration. The hard truth of combat.

[CampingJosh]

I don't even get to see live varmints anymore.



So I guess my caliber is "dog."

[RugerUser]

Originally Posted by whizzer

Go with the 243 cal, good all around for varmits, deer . Good to reload also Use a 308 cartiage and neck it down. also Good accuracy and shot.

No deer in ohio where I live with a rifle only shotguns.

[RugerUser]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

I don't even get to see live varmints anymore.

Attachment 70390 Attachment 70391

So I guess my caliber is "dog."

Cool, looks to be part chow and lab?

[aa1911]

5.56/.223 has plenty of oomph for coyotes as well as two legged critters at 500m, especially effective if you use the right bullet for the intended target.

[Dog Soldier]

It all depends on what you call a varmint. These wolves are not protected and are varmints. These critters can carry a hand full of .224 bullets. My choice is the 25-06 loaded with 87 grs bullets at max speed.

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by RugerUser

Groundhog, coyote and such. I'm in the market for a good rifle to shoot these types of varmits and looking for some input.

Ok you asked for a good rifle not cal. So here goes my 2 cents.

I would buy the DPMS in 243 for the varmits and buy a uppper in 308 for your deer. One lower reciever and 2 uppers. Then you can send the lower rec to williams trigger specialties and get a set trigger installed and you have one killing machine

[rcairflr]

Originally Posted by Dog Soldier

It all depends on what you call a varmint. These wolves are not protected and are varmints. These critters can carry a hand full of .224 bullets. My choice is the 25-06 loaded with 87 grs bullets at max speed.

I don't care how big a wolf is or can get, a well placed shot from a .223 will take down any wolf.

[agedhunter]

OK I didn't see this side presented.

The one you are most proficient with.

A $200 dollar hammer doesn't make you a carpenter,
how you use it does.