Good All-Round Varmint Calibre?

MiG25 said:
i say spend the money on reloading gear instead of a new rifle and factory ammo. you can load up the 308 with 125gr bullets for varminting.
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Do not overlook this excellent suggestion, it would not only mean you could shoot coyotes cheaply, but also reduce the cost of shooting your 308 in general.
 
Define Varmint and the range you expect to become proficient in.
From .22 to the new .17 wizzer rim-fires to .223 , .22-250, .220 Swift, .22 Hornet,.219 zipper and the list goes on.
Tight Groups and hope you have lots of time to digest the info that is about to befall you.
Rob
 
i will throw another vote for axis 223 it does the job personally i don't think its ugly everyone to their own
this will be my next in stainless or if i get a few bucks more a hunter but can not deny the axis has proved it's accuracy
 
.22LRGUY said:
Savage Axis in .223 if you're on a budget. Savage (anything else) in .223 if you can. The Axis is as ugly as a bag of hammers, but they sure can shoot. I've heard that, I've witnessed it dozens of times now. I think it's a 1:9", so don't go lighter than 55gr. on your rounds. Hornady V-Max 55s are pretty remarkable. :)
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Why not go lighter then 55?? I shoot 36gr-77gr in mine. Shoots them all like hot damn.
Axis with vortex viper hs 4-16x50

P1020067_zps6d4d3d5b.jpg
 
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Won't question your results HTH! :) I've shot (and have seen him shoot) 53gr. Superperformance and 55gr. V-Max and for both of us, the gun showed a strong preference for the 55s. It's a 1:9" twist too...no? Not doubting the success you've had at all, but as you know...I'm a reloading greenhorn and everything I've read suggests that a fast twist like that favors the heavier stuff.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Won't question your results HTH! :) I've shot (and have seen him shoot) 53gr. Superperformance and 55gr. V-Max and for both of us, the gun showed a strong preference for the 55s. It's a 1:9" twist too...no? Not doubting the success you've had at all, but as you know...I'm a reloading greenhorn and everything I've read suggests that a fast twist like that favors the heavier stuff.
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Yup thats what everyone says. Fast twist can only shoot heavy. Well 40gr into .5-.7" 5 shots seems to be pretty good to me. 1:9 not suppose to be able to shoot berger 77gr either buy 1.2" at 200 seems to shoot just fine lol. Load em and shoot em thats what I say.
Mine doesnt shoot 55gr that great but 36, 40, 50, 53, 60, 77 all shoot pretty darn good for me.
Buy em and try em. Might be surprised in the end lol
 
Ive havent been able to punch any paper with my new gun, not until it warms up some, but Ive been stocking up 50 & 45 gr rounds. I guess Ill find out in a couple months.
 
Axis in any of those smaller fast calibers, I now have an axis in 22 250 and 223... And if another one pops up on we for 250 ill buy it too. These rifles are a real game changer compared to the cheap pieces of crap some other companies are tossing out in the price range
 
Cheap seems to be the key word for the OP,so if you don't reload, and you want to be able to take coyotes out to 300 or 400 yards, the .223rem would be your best choice.
 
I use a 22 hornet. I reload and can push a 45gr. v max out at 3000fps last yotee I shot was 167 yards. One shot in the head. The hornet would be right between .22 mag and a 223. Very cheap to reload only 10 - 13 gr of powder. If you are not going to reload the 223 is by far the cheapest to shoot.
 
My vote goes for either one of these...

Stevens 200 in 22-250
Savage Axis in 22-250

I own both of these rifles and are great shooters.

As for ammo.... I just drive over to SFRC, great prices, awesome folk!
 
Okay, sorry to bust into this conversation with something so irrelevant but I cannot figure out how to create my own post. Since I don't know how to create a post to ask this question, I'm asking it here. I swear this site is one of the most difficult sites to navigate. Sorry for any convenience, but just a little help.
 
Okay, sorry to bust into this conversation with something so irrelevant but I cannot figure out how to create my own post. Since I don't know how to create a post to ask this question, I'm asking it here. I swear this site is one of the most difficult sites to navigate. Sorry for any convenience, but just a little help.
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Simply click on the post new thread button at the top left of every sub forum.
 
I bought the axis in .223. So far it was easy to zero in at 100 yards, really tight groups. Full metal jacket rounds are less than .50 each, even cheaper if you buy large quantities. Good quality Hornady V-max ammo should be deadly for coyotes.
The scope that comes on the axis is alright but I am looking to upgrade mine in the near future for longer range shooting.
Hope this helps.
 
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