what do you consider to be the best varmint cartridge?

Mr. Friendly said:
I'm honestly still thinking an SKS...they're cheap and the ammo is even cheaper! how an you beat $0.18/cartridge? might not hit out to 200 yards accurately, mind you...but 100 yards I should still be good. :D
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steel core ammo being used in a field with no back stop? doesnt sound like the safest idea to me
 
todbartell said:
best all'round varmint cartridge - bar none - 22-250 Remington
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you know...I love recommendations, especially because I asked. I just wish people would state some reasons. it does me no good to be told what's good...cause so far the usual has been set. the .22 Hornet, the .223, the .204, the .243...some reasons have been given, but not enough to let me filter through to see what appeals to me the most.
 
I have a Savage Model 11 in .223 with the AccuTrigger and detachable magazine. I have a Bushnell Elite 4200 1.5-6X36 on it with the Firefly rectile. I am very pleased with this setup.

Regards,

Chizzy
 
There are a lot of really good varmint cartridges out there, including but not limited to the .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem, .220 Swift, etc. For all round versatility, however, I think I'd have to go with the .223.
 
.204

The .204 is extremely accurate with high velocity and does not make a huge noise when plinking. It takes out coyotes no problem and Im no superstar shot so it isnt shot placement. I plugged one off my deck a couple of weeks ago in the chest and it went down like a shot.
 
mackillan said:
The .204 is extremely accurate with high velocity and does not make a huge noise when plinking. It takes out coyotes no problem and Im no superstar shot so it isnt shot placement. I plugged one off my deck a couple of weeks ago in the chest and it went down like a shot.
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i think its much better than .223 in every aspect, except perhaps finding used brass to reload.

its super fast (over 4000fps with factory ammo), bucks wind better than .223, less powder means more shots before you have to let your barrel cool, also means more barrel life. if max is 200 yards you can probably zero for 200 and just place the cross hairs on whatever you want to hit
 
With a 200 yd max, I'd use my CZ452 .22WMR or even my .17HMR. Spooky accurate, cheap to feed, little noise and a whole lot of fun to shoot. Past the 200 mark it's .243 time with 58 gr Varminators:sniper:
 
Mr. Friendly said:
I'm honestly still thinking an SKS...they're cheap and the ammo is even cheaper! how an you beat $0.18/cartridge? might not hit out to 200 yards accurately, mind you...but 100 yards I should still be good. :D
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I don't doubt that it get's the job done They don't quite hold a group together at any distance. Hard a$$ varmitters kinda pride themselves at load development and consistantly smacking the wee beasties @ 200 and beyond. I prefer the .223 Remington.
 
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Heathens! Deuce or go home.
I have 17 Rem, K-Hornets, .223s, 22-250, 243, but the only PROPER cartridge for this is the thrice blessed 222!
 
Played with a lot of "Varmint" rounds .... 22 long rifle & 22 Hornet to
264 Win Mag & 270 Winchester. I don't care so about recoil, cost, noise or pelts ... but do like flat, accurate shooters & bullet weights that can withstand a little cross-wind and still get out there.

Currently, a .257 Roberts & a 25-06 are in the rack ... both Remington 700's. Both wearing Leupolds.
 
Varmint cartridge? Rem .223. Currently the choice for ALL manner of varmints. Soon to be replaced by something a little bigger and harder hitting though.
 
why were you asking if a .32 special is a good varminting round? could you dig up a more obscure round than that haha...it's a ballistic twin of a .30-30 so i would have to say no..but if it's inside 200 then it will kill if you can hit it...i don't think you can beat the .223 really..22-250 has decreased barrel life over the .223 and you can buy .223 anywhere and up to 200 yards it will drop whatever varmints you're after....i personally have a 25-06 and it's an amazing varmint catridge but it eats alot of powder and alot more kick than a .223...i wouldn't try to get creative go with what works. Oh and P.S. that's a very impressive post count in a short time...i will have to start calling you Gatehouse Jr.
 
I pick the .223 for a number of reasons.

It's a coyote round to 300 yards, if you can shoot.

It's cheap to handload or buy factory ammo.

It is fun to shoot at the range, and a .223 will teach a person how to shoot, because of minimal recoil and low cost of whacking primers.

Without a doubt, more powerful rounds will give you greater versatility, but a person that already knows that, and can take advantage of that, will not need this thread.
 
hey watsknew, I had some odd ball thought in my skull when I thought of the .32 Special...was thinking of cheap handgun cartridges (cheap = good for me). a daft moment.

and I can't help my post count...I'm a post whore. :rolleyes: I'm also not shy...so when I want to ask a question, I ask. just ask Grizzlypeg about that one, LOL! I think I wore his inbox out! ;)
 
you were talking .32 special for pistol? that's an even more obscure round...were you sure you weren't talking .38 special? at either rate that would be a restricted firearm which would be tough to take varmint hunting...now i'm even more confused haha
 
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