My favorite varmint/coyote caliber is the .22-250 hands down! Love my Parker-Hale heavy bbl and have a new Remington 700VS made in the early 90s that I was lucky enough to find New IN Box, with all paperwork, etc... :shock: Great rifle, and its from a time when Remington was still concerned with total quality control. Matte black, unfluted barrel, HS Precision stock! Who could ask for more? Not a fan of flutes. I've also got a 700 in .223. Works great, especially under 200 yards. Use the .22-250 when I want to reach out and touch a 'yote at long range.
Favorite Varminting Caliber/Load...
- Thread starter Glock4ever
- Start date
I have a new favorite its a Browning Varmint Stalker 24" medium heavy barrel in .25WSSM. 8) I made a career best shot on a groundhog this summer @495 yards. 85grain BT @ 3602fps. :shock:
I am going to pound some coyotes this winter with this rig... I recently installed a VXIII Long Range with a Varmint reticle and am practicing :wink:
I am going to pound some coyotes this winter with this rig... I recently installed a VXIII Long Range with a Varmint reticle and am practicing :wink:
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
223 loaded with any good 50 grain bullet over Varget or Tac in win cases, when that gun gets "warm", 223 AI with 55 grain bullets over varget., And, :twisted: 22-250 with 55 grain bullets over a healthy dose of varget for farther away .
My most used varmint cartridge is .22 rimfire in my Valmet ISU target rifle (bottom)
If you insist on it being a centrefire varmint cartridge then it would have to be my Rem 700 based 6MR (6BR based wildcat) which absolutely splatters the gophers with 70gr Ballistic Tips.
If you insist on it being a centrefire varmint cartridge then it would have to be my Rem 700 based 6MR (6BR based wildcat) which absolutely splatters the gophers with 70gr Ballistic Tips.
I have two "favorite" varmint loads....a 22 Hornet with a 40 gr VMax over 13 grs of LilGun.....22-250 with a 50 gr VMax over 41 grs of H414.......gophers just go all to pieces when hit with either one... :shock: :lol:
Varmints
I myself am shooting a Tikka M55 with heavy barrel chambered in 22-250, and shooting 40 gr. sierra gameking hp loads. i find it to be extremely accurate, with groupings around 1/2" at 100 yards. I have shot many coyotes and foxes with this rifle, and i love it. 8)
I myself am shooting a Tikka M55 with heavy barrel chambered in 22-250, and shooting 40 gr. sierra gameking hp loads. i find it to be extremely accurate, with groupings around 1/2" at 100 yards. I have shot many coyotes and foxes with this rifle, and i love it. 8)
:roll: Woo-Hoo!! Got two here. 
For coyote medicine-- Ruger M-77 in .25-06' Hornady 75gr HP 55.8 gr IMR-4831== 3400fps Goes WHOP!! when it hits! Second is for fox and small varmints-- Remington 700 BDL in .17 Remington. 8) Hornady 25gr HP, 23.2 grs of IMR-4895== 3800 fps. :twisted: Doesn't make much sound on impact, but on little critters you get that Fine Red Mist!! :twisted: :lol: 8)
For coyote medicine-- Ruger M-77 in .25-06' Hornady 75gr HP 55.8 gr IMR-4831== 3400fps Goes WHOP!! when it hits! Second is for fox and small varmints-- Remington 700 BDL in .17 Remington. 8) Hornady 25gr HP, 23.2 grs of IMR-4895== 3800 fps. :twisted: Doesn't make much sound on impact, but on little critters you get that Fine Red Mist!! :twisted: :lol: 8)
Up to 275 yards, the 222 Remington gets the nod. I have a super accurate 788 so chambered, and it is a joy to shoot. Beyond 275, there is no offering that matches the Swift for sheer effect other than a 55 grainer out of a 243 or 6mm Rem. I drive the 50 grain Ballistic tip out of my Swift at just over 4000 with either IMR 4064 or Vihtavuori N140, and it is dramatic when I toast a crow. Nothing hits the ground but wings and feathers!!! I have a 22-250 that also is great, but gives up about 200 FPS to the Swift in any given weight. Regards, Eagleye.
CV32
There is not a lot of data yet about 204 and coyotes, this winter will probably tell the tale, I won't be starting for at least a month. But It be hard to find fault with the gun you have now. The advantages a 204 are better trajectory (depending on bullet) and should be more fur friendly (again with the right bullet).
As for the 204 guys are still figuring out what head to use, the 32's seem to be out (for coyotes). The mid range 35's seem to hold the most promise for fur friendliness, either the winchester load (has anyone seen this load north of the border) and 35 gr bergers, but the BC are so bad you give up alot of trajectory, my berger loads probably only have 300 yards in them (400 ft/lbs at impact).
Where as the 39 grain seirras should have 400 yards in them.
But judging how the 39 grain sierras blew up PD's they are probaly way too fragile and at calling ranges they would cause impact craters. Reports on the 40 grain hornadys are that they will have exit wounds but they would be what I would go to after my bergers run out. Though the 40 hornadys seem to be the hardest to get to shoot properly
Good news nosler is getting into the 20 cal game this December but there are no other details as of yet.
There is not a lot of data yet about 204 and coyotes, this winter will probably tell the tale, I won't be starting for at least a month. But It be hard to find fault with the gun you have now. The advantages a 204 are better trajectory (depending on bullet) and should be more fur friendly (again with the right bullet).
As for the 204 guys are still figuring out what head to use, the 32's seem to be out (for coyotes). The mid range 35's seem to hold the most promise for fur friendliness, either the winchester load (has anyone seen this load north of the border) and 35 gr bergers, but the BC are so bad you give up alot of trajectory, my berger loads probably only have 300 yards in them (400 ft/lbs at impact).
Where as the 39 grain seirras should have 400 yards in them.
But judging how the 39 grain sierras blew up PD's they are probaly way too fragile and at calling ranges they would cause impact craters. Reports on the 40 grain hornadys are that they will have exit wounds but they would be what I would go to after my bergers run out. Though the 40 hornadys seem to be the hardest to get to shoot properly
Good news nosler is getting into the 20 cal game this December but there are no other details as of yet.
if you're looking for info on real life experiences with the 204 on coyotes and foxes, go to http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php and check out the forums, do a search on '204'
Thanks, aulrich and todbartell. The 204 Ruger debate ... ahem ... discussion on Predator Masters was helpful. Though it looks like more experience with yotes is needed, most seem to think the 204 performs just fine with the right bullet. This is what I expected. I'll think I will go ahead and get it. Mind you, I'm keeping the .223 Tikka too. (Love that rifle). If nothing else, the 204 should be a tack driver at the range.
I have 2 favorites, both in 223.
I find that 223 gives you a wide variety of bullets to choose from with very decent ballistics and energy. And cheap (I don't reload yet...)
Fisrt S&W model 1500 HB with 22'' barrel 1 in 12 for small varmints out to max 400 yards. I had the gun bedded, channel opened and recrowned and now shoot into half inch with a few brands of commercial ammo...
Second, accurized mini 14 (match barrel) (I know what you guys will say...). Supposed to shoot 1/2 MOA but haven't shot it yet.... 1 in 8 twist 20 inch barrel. This one will be for yotes :lol:
I find that 223 gives you a wide variety of bullets to choose from with very decent ballistics and energy. And cheap (I don't reload yet...)
Fisrt S&W model 1500 HB with 22'' barrel 1 in 12 for small varmints out to max 400 yards. I had the gun bedded, channel opened and recrowned and now shoot into half inch with a few brands of commercial ammo...
Second, accurized mini 14 (match barrel) (I know what you guys will say...). Supposed to shoot 1/2 MOA but haven't shot it yet.... 1 in 8 twist 20 inch barrel. This one will be for yotes :lol:
