Farm Caliber for varmints

If your stuck on getting another gun (and why not?)... Then a .223 is the way to go... If you are talking economy, just reload for your Hornet... The cost of the new gun will set you up with all of the reloading supplies and equipment you need, and you can load for your .308 also.
 
17 WSM might workout for you as well....or maybe just get some lighter bullets for the 308, some 110 gr bullets at 3300/3400 fps should work wonders on Willy Coyotey!
 
With price being important but wanting an increase in performance over your .22lr it would be hard to argue against the .22 WMR, while certainly costing more then .22lr ammo it is still single digit cents per round. I know I can't reload my .223 for that price.
That being said the OP should get whatever makes him feel warmest and fuzziest, and the .17hmr, .222 and .223 will all also fill the bill if he wants a new gun. Personally I'd be getting reloading for that .22 k-Hornet as its one of my favorites.
 
JamesM said:
With price being important but wanting an increase in performance over your .22lr it would be hard to argue against the .22 WMR, while certainly costing more then .22lr ammo it is still single digit cents per round. I know I can't reload my .223 for that price.
That being said the OP should get whatever makes him feel warmest and fuzziest, and the .17hmr, .222 and .223 will all also fill the bill if he wants a new gun. Personally I'd be getting reloading for that .22 k-Hornet as its one of my favorites.
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Brother, tell me, where the hell are you buying .22WMR for $4.50 a box?
 
Thanks everyone for the input! I have to agree that the idea of just sticking with the 22 k hornet and reloading it sounds like the best idea but it's something that I just can't do at this point. With a young family and both of us running small businesses I am lucky enough just to have the chance to get out to the range when I can, let alone taking the time to reload. Anyways I will take a look at a few rifles next time I am out and see what I can find. Thanks again.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Do not waste your time or money on a 17hmr.
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Agreed. 17 hmr is lacking the power for anything bigger than say a rabbit.
If your neighbours are not to close then 223Rem would be perfect for you.
Otherwise K Hornet is best option for you, don't under estimate it, I killed two deer with it one shot each with handloaded 50gr barnes x bullet, including large 3 point mule deer at close to 150 yards away.
 
Just throwing it out there but a 204? It is a pretty safe bullet as it self destructed when it hits anything...just a thought
 
I would take a .22 mag over the 17hmr any day . I have a savage BTVS and it is deadly at 75 yards and hits with more pinch than the 17's I have to admit that I think the gun you are using is the best bet though. Although the ammo is getting more expensive, my .22 hornet is the gun of choice for eliminating any varmints, coyotes and foxes included. That being said, have you looked into the new .17 hornet? It may be an option, but I have no idea on prices for ammo.
 
Buy your gas at Canadain tire. Use Canadian tire money to buy regular .22 hornet ammo. I had my .22 k hornet zeroed with regular hornet 35 gr vmax for ages before I found k hornet dies. No handloading reqd and you're stockpiling fireformed brass.
It does'nt make sense to buy a centrefire like a .223 if you are'nt loading enough for the hornet. You'll need heavier bullets and different powder too. I have owned .17hmr and .22 magnum. I'd take the .22 wmr over the .17 for anything bigger than rabbits.
For .22 magnum, just imagine your hornet going 2/3 the speed.
 
I'm guessing it's just terribly lowbrow to bring up an SKS and the ballistically average 7.62 X 39, eh.
Because it seems to be the 'Tractor gun ' of choice in Southern Sask.
Cheap and disposable, hit it with WD-40 every two weeks whether it needs it or not...carry feeding cows til a coyote appears, Shoot and carry on
 
22mag is all you need anything louder around the barns is just not a good idea more so if you have livestock .after all you are not really hunting just pest control. If I read you right. Dutch
 
To the OP, don't get me wrong here at all, I'm a hunter through and through. But if the coyote concern is just for your chickens, instead of a new gun spend some money and make sure your chickens have proper fencing to keep the coyotes out. A local farm supply should have lots of fencing to choose from, and will be better security than a rifle, as you can't protect your birds 24hrs, but fencing will. You have a 22hornet and a 22lr. A brick of 22lr (500rds) will cost you about $20.00, cheap to shoot and will kill any small critters in your garden. Now if you have a dog or dogs and fear their safety from coyotes than go easy target shooting with the Hornet and save it for security. If time is limited maybe you could find coyote hunters to come and try to clear them out.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
unless you are wanting a new iron, the time and money it takes to go buy one would be better spent building ammo for your K Hornet.

You could always waste less ammo on targets and have it for varmints...which incidentally make great targets.
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Ayup. Between this suggestion, and that you stock up on regular .22 Hornet ammo and stockpile the fire-formed brass, you are good for an evening session of reloading about every couple of years. An affordable time commitment, IMO.

A couple plastic Shell storage boxes, a stockpile of reloading components, and a cold winter evening when there is not much else to do... :)

Cheers
Trev
 
AWOL said:
Anything coyote size & smaller inside 150-200 yards is .223 bait. This will be the best round for the economy to deliver both your target needs and 150 yard varmint!!!
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good recommendation , a 223 would be my choice as well for varmits if ammo price is a consideration......even a SKS might be an option if you want a cheap rifle and cheap ammo for around the farm.....about the same power as a 30-30 Win. at a lot cheaper price...
 
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