Farm Caliber for varmints

First off...if you're in Southern Ontario and need your groundhogs dispatched~that's as easy as sending me a PM! :)

As for what you need~.22WMR would cover you up to the coyote application, but isn't (in my opinion) enough to kill them reliably. Granted, a poorly-placed hit from a .223 wouldn't be good either. Since you're asking about a gun/caliber and NOT a hobby~my vote would have to be .223. I'd say .204 R, but .223 is WAY easier to find (factory ammo) and less expensive as well. If you want to add a hobby that is a bit expensive to set-up for, reloading would help you feed that K-Hornet reliably, and it sounds like a dandy gun for what you need it for.
 
Can't believe nobody's brought up the 22-250. It will dispatch just about any critter you will need, quick and fast. Easy to come by; I find occasionally the 223 stuff to be hit and miss, its either stocked full on the shelves, or its gone altogether. the 22-250 will out do the 223 for power, speed, and at about the same cost. plus if you have to, you can really stretch the distance. Savage makes a great package for ~$450.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
I really wish folks would read and comprehend the original post before replying...
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Well, the way I see it, is that if 22H is too expensive, might as well take up knitting (though that costs some money too!)

EVERYTHING costs. The only .223 ammo that does not cost is the cheap bangin' away stuff. The rest costs.

Buying a new gun to save a couple bucks a year on ammo is a great idea, really, but not a money winner, IMO. :)

Buy cheap .22 ammo for target shooting. Heck, GOOD .22 rimfire ammo is still a bargain, compared to shootin' holes in paper with a CF rifle of any sort.

Stock up on Hornet ammo, or make a deal with someone local to load for you, with you, or whatever.

If reloading is off the menu, then columns B and C both say "Pay".

Cheers
Trev
 
If you have room in your gun safe than start with one mentioned until you find the one you like. They don't go bad if you keep them.
 
trevj said:
Well, the way I see it, is that if 22H is too expensive, might as well take up knitting (though that costs some money too!)

EVERYTHING costs. The only .223 ammo that does not cost is the cheap bangin' away stuff. The rest costs.

Buying a new gun to save a couple bucks a year on ammo is a great idea, really, but not a money winner, IMO. :)

Buy cheap .22 ammo for target shooting. Heck, GOOD .22 rimfire ammo is still a bargain, compared to shootin' holes in paper with a CF rifle of any sort.

Stock up on Hornet ammo, or make a deal with someone local to load for you, with you, or whatever.

If reloading is off the menu, then columns B and C both say "Pay".

Cheers
Trev
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I was referring to the reloading part...the OP says "no time to reload like he used to" yet people are suggesting he "start" reloading to cut ammo costs...
Once you are tooled up and have a recipe it takes no time to run off a batch of loads. I have a buddy who uses a Lee Loader for his 22Hornet because it's all he shoots besides rimfire...and he is one of the busiest guys I know.
For the price of a new rifle in a different caliber the OP could buy a sh!t load of 22H ammo.
jmo of course.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
I was referring to the reloading part...the OP says "no time to reload like he used to" yet people are suggesting he "start" reloading to cut ammo costs...
Once you are tooled up and have a recipe it takes no time to run off a batch of loads. I have a buddy who uses a Lee Loader for his 22Hornet because it's all he shoots besides rimfire...and he is one of the busiest guys I know.
For the price of a new rifle in a different caliber the OP could buy a sh!t load of 22H ammo.
jmo of course.
Click to expand...

Seen.
100 percent agree.

I figure that the time spent reloading a couple hundred rounds in one session, won't be missed much and the results will keep a fella going for a long time if he don't bother shooting paper with them.
That'd be my choice.
Factory ammo and stock up when you can, is the second place option for me.

New gun... well, as much as I like the thought...:D

Cheers
Trev
 
gixxstar said:
22-250
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As a varmint round, I would agree but as a target round, 22-250 is expensive and also has the drawback of excessive barrel wear. Based on the OP criteria, I would not suggest the 22-250 as the best round for this purpose. They wanted accurate, effective and cheap for varmints & targets under 100 yards.
 
.204. No ricochets. Doesnt boom like the .22-250. Everything and anything is gonna cost money. Its a great tool for the job. Doesnt kick, doesnt ricochet. Will kill varmints up to coyote more than dead. And if you decide to shoot the one posing for you at 300 yards, it will reach him too.
 
I use 12 gage slugs (Bear) and a .22LR( Coons, Crows) but looking for a 17HMR starting to have Lynx issues and the .22 bounce off. I have horses, chickens, ducks, goats, Alpac's, and I to live in the bush.
 
If anyone is going centerfire for varmints they really need to take the time to reload if they want to keep the costs reasonable. If you don't have the time, stick with rimfire. The new 17 WSM rimfire may be a good choice for the OP.
 
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