Varmint rifle needed or not?

vpsalin

vpsalin

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I already own a .308 bolt action rifle. I shoot deer with 130GR TTSX bullets. I also handload 130GR SP practice loads which shoots to same point of aim. I've been trying to justify buying a .223 varmint specific rifle lately, but I'm thinking I should first test the limits of my .308 with 130GR SP bullets.

Basically my concern is, any chance that I would quickly find a .223 varmint rifle useless, considering the .308 I already own and handload for?

Faster follow up shots on yotes w. 223?
 
Faster follow up shots are no different than with the 308.
Especially when it comes to the heat of the moment and you have three dogs running in opposite directions.
Buy the .223 if your yearnin for another rifle or develop loads for the 308 and enjoy one rifle.
Thats my take on your situation.
Rob
 
hawk-i said:
Yes, you absolutely need a Varmint rifle. :)
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I don't think that I could reduce my inventory to only one varmint rifle.:p

I just can't see myself shooting 50 to 100 shots per day shooting ground squirrels at 200 yards and more with a 308win, the barrel would be cooking hot.
 
Check your provincial regs. If hunting coyote in Ontario, I believe they are classed as small game. Small game can only be hunted with .275 calibre and below in certain regions. So, you may not be able to use .308.
 
stubblejumper said:
I don't think that I could reduce my inventory to only one varmint rifle.:p

I just can't see myself shooting 50 to 100 shots per day shooting ground squirrels at 200 yards and more with a 308win, the barrel would be cooking hot.
Click to expand...

I've got only 3 dedicated heavy barreled Varmint rifles, a 22-250, a 7mm-08, and as of the other day a 300 wsm...agreed, it would be hard to only have one. :)
 
buy a 223 in the same make and model as your 308 ,223 will be cheaper to shoot and in the same model it will be like practice with the 308
 
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"Cheaper to practice" is a delusion.

You will shoot more overall, you will spend on an extra rifle, extra scope, extra small things. You will shoot more because no recoil, better results, more fun, new rifle and so on.

Based on all of the above - yes, you should buy another rifle
 
I believe that the OP is correct in that he should develop a coyote load for his 308 (if legal where he hunts). He could use it for at least one season,then review things. Many of us in the east do not get enough shots at coyotes to really justify a coyote specific rifle.
 
Varmints are varmints. No need for a specific calibre unless you are harvesting fur. Use whatever rifle you are most comfortable shooting and have fun. The 308 is a great cartridge and if you reload there are some good options for coyotes. I myself like to have a choice of rifles and prefer the lighter calibres for coyotes. I usually harvest between 30 an 40 coyotes a year and use a 204.
 
am I the only one that classes varmints and predators separately? To me a varmint rifle (gophers, ground squirrels etc) is generally a heavy barrel, high-mag scope and generally in the 223 to 220 Swift range. Predator rifles (foxes, coyotes, wolves) are lighter weight, lower magnification scope and generally in the 22-250 through 25-06 range. So if you want to spend some time in the gopher patch thinning the herd, grab a new varmint rifle. If you want to shoot some coyotes then I would stick with the 308.

This all goes straight out the window if "want" comes into it.
 
I "needed" a .223 because if I shot anything bigger for the amount of dirt rats I like to shoot, I definately couldn't afford it.

I went from a 22lr for great price but short range in Alberta where I shoot, to a more pricey 17hmr which reached out better but wind was still factor.

Then I bought a 223 and 100 yards is a chip shot. With my new 1:7 twist barrel I can shoot up to 90g to buck the wind or I buy Hornaday 50g spire points for volume up to 200 yards. I just put the new barrel on last month and I have around 2500 rounds through it. I can't shoot 36g anymore though, they just come apart 30 yards out of the barrel.

Sold the 17, kept the 22 for the kids and the 223 is my favorite rifle until gopher season is over and the 338 comes out to play.

So yes you "need" a 223!
 
I am morally opposed to recommending against the acquisition of a new rifle

Buy the 223 then the 243. Then the 25/06. Then a 6.5 then a 7mm. Then there's the entire line of bigger and faster calibers not to mention other 30s

Good luck
 
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