Favorite Varminting Caliber/Load...

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Glock4ever

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Well I was bored this morning so I thought I would ask the gunnutz here what their favorite Caliber/load for varminting is. This isn't a which is the best caliber, my caliber is better then yours thread. I am interested in knowing what rifle/caliber/load, varminters are using. As well as WHY. Since I started the thread I will go first.

Rifle: Rem 700 (any rifle) but more specifically the LVSF
Caliber: .221 Remington Fireball
Load: 40 Gr Nosler BT, IMR 4227, R-P case (gonna try Lil'gun pretty soon)

I chose this caliber simply cause I love the report (40 grain pill @ 3000FPS) The rifle is light, handy and can switch easily between coyotes and gophers w/o needing a different bullet. The key selling feature for me is that it is not that loud (2X louder then .22 Mag approx). I really don't like a lot of noise esp. when I hit a gopher town. I hear that Lil'gun can take the 40 grain pill up to 3400 FPS (gonna find out) with less powder so I will try that out. I think I also love how efficient the cartridge is not too much powder to get a lot of bang (<18 Grains of powder) for the buck.
 
.222 rem

25.5g h-335/50g Winchester SP/CCI SR



I use this load because it shoots well out of both my .222's. Also I shoot more fox than coyotes or g-hogs or crows and I hate sewing major hide damage fox.
 
I am really liking my 204 ruger so far, all the bullets I have tried ( 32 and 40 Hornady 39 seirra and 35 berger) Can all be made to shoot under .5 with a handi rifle. The Best group so far is .35 with the seirras with .3 of a grain back from a max charge of h4895.

I have been toying with making a 221 fireball wildcat a (20 vartag). But it will probably come after a full sized varminter in 204.

And I can't forget my 17 hmr when pd shooting it has 200 yards in it and I don't have to reload it (sometimes time is more preasious than money).
 
My favorite is my HB Sako .222 Vixen. It likes 50 gr. Hornady SPSX and 50 gr. Nosler BTs, either load shoots better than I can.

There's hardly any recoil, so I can watch the hits through the scope. It's good to about 250 yards or so and a lot of fun to shoot. :mrgreen:
 
I have tried pretty much all the .22 CFs and I have to say that performance was never an issue with any of them. (esp. 22-250) I really like .22s dunno why? :p I have been toying with the idea of getting a .204 Ruger (.20 Tactical) but I don't know if I want to make the investment into new kit (i.e. cleaning rods/jags/etc) I really like the idea of the .20 series though...
 
I've got a 223 Ackley that I like.

Fireforming loads with the cheapest components I can find from Higginsons run about 20 cents per shot, and consist of a Hornady 55SP at 3260 fps. They also shoot quite fine and are the perfect play load.

For coyotes I fill the formed cases with 28.5 grains of H335 and a 50 grain V-Max for 3650 fps and tiny, tiny groups.
 
My varmint load is for my 243 Win Coyote. I really only hunt preds with it.

Rem Brass, Sierra Game King, 85 gr. hollow point, moly, Varget, CIL prime.

Its not my load but it works and its accurate. I picked up some different componants to play with this winter.
 
Hey booner you try the 55 grain Nosler BT? That badboy was pretty accurate in my old Tikka 595 and was super fast out of a .243 Win. Really recommend them... bullet is too short to reach the lands but still shot really well.
 
I'd be picking the 50 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip over Benchmark in my 223 Rem. Shoots accurate and has nice trajectory out to 300 yards.

m700 LVSF w/VLS stock, Burris FFII 3-9x40mm w/ Ballistic Plex reticle
223004.jpg
 
smallest thing I have is a 25-06, I've been using 100grn Nosler BT on varmits but contemplating something lighter. 115-120grn for Deer sure works good.

I'm also looking at new powders, I've been using IMR4895 and Win760 but just bought a lb of IMR4350, should work better (I hope)
 
Beautful Rifle Tod, is that a ISS shroud? Looks aftermarket to me all shiney and polished like... I shot a few rounds through my 221 starting load development but it looks promising - as soon as the rounds hit the right pressure the holes get smaller and smaller. It looks like Sierra 40 grain BK are a close second to the Noslers... Gonna get some pics up when I get back from Wainwright next month...
 
woodchopper, if you're looking for a powder for varmint loads in your 25-06, try for sure 4350 or RL19. Those are the two I'm gonna focus on when I try some 85 grainers in my 25-284.


Glock4ever, yeeah it's a Jlock. some year I will get around to changing it maybe, it really doesn't bother me like it does some people, I dont even notice it ever.

PS, I've never tried the Sierra BlitzKings, nor have I ever heard of anyone using them. Could be a real sleeper bullet, hiding in the shadow of the Vmax and Ballistic Tip. :D
 
Glock4ever said:
Hey booner you try the 55 grain Nosler BT? That badboy was pretty accurate in my old Tikka 595 and was super fast out of a .243 Win. Really recommend them... bullet is too short to reach the lands but still shot really well.
Click to expand...

Ya, I have and they are accurate in my rig. I just don't trust them on a very big wolf. I have busted a few ground squirrels with them though. I can't remember how fast they were going?
 
Tod: I have a spare shroud, cocking piece, firing pin, and spring (factory Rem) w/o ISS if you want her (stainless to boot) it is minty and if you want her let me know... I replaced mine with an aluminum shroud cocking piece and GRETAN firing pin and spring. Sierra BK are nice bullets (green tip - oooh aahh) only thing is it is not a boat tail like the Noslers.

Booner: I can see why you wouldn't trust a 55 grainer on a wolf I saw some pics on another thread and they look friggin huge... Be interesting to see what they would do though (have a 55 grainer and use a heavier bullet for follow up shot if necessary.)
 
the first and only time my Chrony has read 4 grand is when a guy took a shot over it with his Ruger No1 (26") 243 Win with a handload of 55 gr. NBT's. :shock: :D I wouldn't trust it on a big wolf either though, not much penetration, but it lands with pretty good splash on 'yotes I'd bet :twisted:
 
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