what do you consider to be the best varmint cartridge?

I have a 223 rem and worked some loads with 55gr Nosler BT with max Varget load 5 shots. 26" Rem 700 averaged 3395fps over chrony
and shot .675" group was quite surprised they shot so tight at that velocity.
Have not used them for hunting yet. but I don't beleive any wolf wouldn't be toast at 300 yards and maybe a little farther.
I feel a good shot placement is more important than a extra 200 fps or 150 lbs less energy
 
Mr. Friendly, if you are new to firearms you really should start with a .22.
a .22 is something youll always find a use for in your cabinet. ammo can be found anywhere and is dirt cheap at a few cents a round.
itll let you learn proper shooting technique without any recoil, noise, or risk of developing a flinch (not that you would with a .223).

there are so many types of ammo you can experiment with - especially if you get a bolt-action .22 (semis limit what ammo you can use, although you could always cycle the action by hand in a pinch). if you dont live in the city, you can even shoot them on your property (check bylaws, obviously, as well as proper backstop) and get some practice in. i shoot CCI .22 CBs on my property all the time and they are quieter than an air rifle. id rather have a first gun that i could use 365 days a year than something like a 25-06 that i can only use on the range or in remote areas.

you can move up to .22 target ammo, which is sub-sonic (no loud muzzle crack) so still reasonably quiet, all the way to harder hitting stuff like CCI Stingers/Velocitors.

a .22 is just fun, and its the best place for every new shooter to start. the guns are inexpensive as well: you can buy a semi or bolt action for under a couple hundred bucks and you can get away with putting cheaper scopes on .22s. so the entire gun/scope shouldnt run you over $300, and its money youll never regret spending.
 
of course not, but if this is his absolute first gun its much better to start with a .22LR.

i think its more important with a first gun to get lots of practice in, and you cant beat a .22 for that. it also gives you the most options in terms of places to practice shooting, since it can be quieter than an air rifle with the right ammo.

**edit:
i guess its also not bad for learning ballistics basics, since with some of the flatter-shooting cartridges youll need much longer ranges for bullet drop to even come into play much :)
 
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Mr. Friendly said:
that sounds good manbearpig. I'll probably go with something like that.

still have that deal on the Savage 11 in .223 the Simmon's scope for $350. accutrigger model. put the Simmon's scope on my semi-auto .22.
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well there is dead then there is more dead. no wait, there is just dead. thats a good deal for $350 and it'll kill varmits dead better then any sks. cause you gota hit what your aiming at :)
 
oh, he already has a semi-auto .22. not sure how i missed that. some of the comments, like the .32 special and SKS varmint thing, made me think he doesnt have a gun yet :)

in that case ill stick with my original .223 suggestion.
that is a good deal for a Savage assuming the barrel is in good condition.
 
manbearpig said:
oh, he already has a semi-auto .22. not sure how i missed that. some of the comments, like the .32 special and SKS varmint thing, made me think he doesnt have a gun yet :)

in that case ill stick with my original .223 suggestion.
that is a good deal for a Savage assuming the barrel is in good condition.
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the Savage is about...10 months old now and only a few boxes are down it apparently. :)
 
Get a wounded rabbit call and shoot the 'yotes in the ear when they come into 25-50 meters with your .22 LR. More exciting than blasting them at 200 meters.
 
Wrong Way said:
I read your post....and answered appropriately. I did say 17 remington (not HMR).
HMremfire_062107A.jpg

There is not a coyote on the planet that wont drop from this classic round within 250 yards :)

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hunting_photo3.jpg


25 Gr. bullet at 4130 FPS is like a lazer beam. About 1000 lbs of energy at the muzzle, with around 400 lbs at 200 yards.

Check it out :)
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IS that round in the picture a 17 Remington or a 17 Fireball? It seems way to short and chubby for it not to be a Fireball.
 
.204 Ruger, here is why.
The .204 is the fastest factory round available, this means no more holdover, if you can see it, you can hit it.
The only round that is close from a ballistic perspective is the .220 Swift, another great rifle. But, the .204 is faster.
No recoil, this means you will watch your bullet impact through your scope, very, very entertaining in the varmint world.
Less powder than the other hot rod rifles, this means less heat and in the event of possibly reloading it is significantly cheaper. Quieter to shoot is always nice too.

Here are some of my hot rods, Stainless Tikka .204 in the back: I always reach for the .204. Quiet, fast, flat and more fun than one guy should have!
Find a rifle you like, one that fits, just make sure it say's .204 on the side!

Tikka stainless varmint .204
Ruger M-77 in .220 Swift, my favorite until the .204
Browning falling block in .22-250
Remington 700 in a .17 Rem

Yup, .204 is my favorite.

P5230287.jpg


And shell sizes:

Left to right, .220 Swift, .22-250, .204 Ruger and the .17 Rem

P5230289.jpg
 
For the shooting specified: "up to coyote, under 200 yds" I vote .222 Rem. Because I have a cute little Sako Vixen that shoots very well. And because
-it is a classic round,
-has adequate power,
-has won many benchrest matches, and
-it is a dedicated sporting round, not an ex-military.
No practical reason not to choose a .223 though.
 
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