What kind of varmints, my 270 with federal ammo is decently accurate 1.25-1.5 for three shots @ 100 but I have only checked one type of ammo and my hand loads will do better. if it is larger varmints thats should be good enough to 300 or so. For high volume like pd's I'd say no thats better suited to a heavy barrel not a sporter. 1 inch is ok for a pd gun but .5 or better is really what is needed if you want to exceed 250 - 300 yards on those little targets
Since your in Montreal I'd imagine varmint means woodchuck, fox or coyotes ? and I would say yes to that, those types of varmint are well suited to a walking weight varminter.