What to get for a Varmit rifle?
- Thread starter buckboy
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
A single shot , ruger #1 V, Browning 78,1885. or T/C, might find one in .223 . I really like this cal with 1-12 twist , and match 52/53 grain bullets.
Frank
Frank
shooting skill will kill more coyotes at half a mile than an expensive custom rifle will
for a LH heavy barrel, Id take a long hard look at the Remington Model 700 VSF left hand in 22-250 or 308 Win
if its often windy where you are, Id opt for 308
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/left-hand/model_700_VSF.asp
for a LH heavy barrel, Id take a long hard look at the Remington Model 700 VSF left hand in 22-250 or 308 Win
if its often windy where you are, Id opt for 308
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/left-hand/model_700_VSF.asp
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
x2 on the Remington VSF Left Hand in .22-250.
If you really think you can push it out to 600 yds, the .308 is the better choice - and be prepared to put some serious glass on it !
If you really think you can push it out to 600 yds, the .308 is the better choice - and be prepared to put some serious glass on it !
Mighty Peace
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Land of the Mighty Peace
I think there is a LH Rem. VSF 22-250 in the exchange forum. You may want to look at a 243 HB also. 6x18 or bigger scope would be good. I prefer Leupold scopes so a VX2 6x18 or 6x20, or a VX3 in 6.5x20, 8.5x25
I'd only be comfortable shooting a .224 of some sort out to 300/400 yards regularly, wit the occasional long shot when conditions permit.
If you're planning on shooting at 5/600 yards regularly, a .308 is a good choice, but a .260 or a .243 is better - less recoil & flatter trajectory. Maybe even a 7mm08.
And not to seem insensitive, but practice shooting right-handed would really open up your options, if you can. I know a number of left-handers (my dad included) that shoot right handed better than most right handers... It's do-able
If you're planning on shooting at 5/600 yards regularly, a .308 is a good choice, but a .260 or a .243 is better - less recoil & flatter trajectory. Maybe even a 7mm08.
And not to seem insensitive, but practice shooting right-handed would really open up your options, if you can. I know a number of left-handers (my dad included) that shoot right handed better than most right handers... It's do-able
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How is being left handed any problem? I am as left handed as can be and have never owned a left handed rifle in my entire life. There is no need and in fact left handed rifles have ####ty resale value cause nobody wants them.
Just get whichever rifle you want in a right handed action. Then shoot it left handed.
You don't need to nor should you learn to shoot right. What is much more important is to figure out which eye dominant you are and then shoot off that shoulder.
Just get whichever rifle you want in a right handed action. Then shoot it left handed.
You don't need to nor should you learn to shoot right. What is much more important is to figure out which eye dominant you are and then shoot off that shoulder.
As some others have said,I'd opt for something a little larger than a .224 bullet out past 300. Maybe a 243,25-06 or something in 6.5.Hell ,nothing wrong with a good ole 270 for that matter.
I hit a coyote this past season at a measured(laser rangefinder) 340yds,with a 22-250(60 grain sierra HP)and he went down.By the time I had walked down to where he was he had picked himself up and buggered off.
I thought I had hit him pretty well but not well enough.Maybe a tougher bullet was in order on that one but If I had have hit him with my 264 Win Mag and a 95grain V-max I'm almost sure he would have remained down.
My suggestion is a 243 and or a 25-06
Just my $.02
I hit a coyote this past season at a measured(laser rangefinder) 340yds,with a 22-250(60 grain sierra HP)and he went down.By the time I had walked down to where he was he had picked himself up and buggered off.
I thought I had hit him pretty well but not well enough.Maybe a tougher bullet was in order on that one but If I had have hit him with my 264 Win Mag and a 95grain V-max I'm almost sure he would have remained down.
My suggestion is a 243 and or a 25-06
Just my $.02
leftie not left out
i am a leftie looking for a varmint rifle-been reading articles and forums a lot
seems the big choices are 22-250 or .223 all the way. Ruger no 1 standard is a nice choice but Savage,Ruger,Remington,Browning are all available. just bought a Ruger leftie 30-06 stainless off the shelf from Wholesale Sports.get to their sites and check it out, happy hunting
i am a leftie looking for a varmint rifle-been reading articles and forums a lot
seems the big choices are 22-250 or .223 all the way. Ruger no 1 standard is a nice choice but Savage,Ruger,Remington,Browning are all available. just bought a Ruger leftie 30-06 stainless off the shelf from Wholesale Sports.get to their sites and check it out, happy hunting
Browning A-bolt comes in left hand models too.. very expensive.
The 25WSSM is a serious long range rifle and I have found it to be an excellent varmint/medium game caliber. It will buck the wind as well as any caliber, shoot flat and carry enough energy for shots in the 500-600 yard range on varmints.
The 25WSSM is a serious long range rifle and I have found it to be an excellent varmint/medium game caliber. It will buck the wind as well as any caliber, shoot flat and carry enough energy for shots in the 500-600 yard range on varmints.
I've got several Remington 700VS rifles that I really like. However, they were built before Remington's quality control started to slip. Newer 700s are a hit or miss proposition. My brother bought a new 700 VSSF-II via mail-order. There were issues with the rifle and Remington did not come through. If you can, handle the rifle you purchase before putting your money on the counter. Check it out throughly and make sure you're satisfied.
Savage is also becoming a major player these days in the heavy barrel varmint game. Their Accutrigger is simply the best factory trigger on the market. They might not be the "prettiest" rifles, but they sure do shoot and for a cheaper price than most of their competitors.
My preferred varmint round is the .22-250. You get more range than the .223, but still have the versatility of using a .224 bullet with all the different selections that involves. Unfortunately, due to our hunting laws in Newfoundland, we aren't permitted to use anything larger than .225 caliber for varmint/coyote hunting. If we could, I'd probably opt for a .243. Better range and performance, with less recoil than the .308; although recoil in my Remington 700VS in .308 is negligible. Ammo, whether you roll your own or buy factory, is more expensive than the center fire .22s though.
Savage is also becoming a major player these days in the heavy barrel varmint game. Their Accutrigger is simply the best factory trigger on the market. They might not be the "prettiest" rifles, but they sure do shoot and for a cheaper price than most of their competitors.
My preferred varmint round is the .22-250. You get more range than the .223, but still have the versatility of using a .224 bullet with all the different selections that involves. Unfortunately, due to our hunting laws in Newfoundland, we aren't permitted to use anything larger than .225 caliber for varmint/coyote hunting. If we could, I'd probably opt for a .243. Better range and performance, with less recoil than the .308; although recoil in my Remington 700VS in .308 is negligible. Ammo, whether you roll your own or buy factory, is more expensive than the center fire .22s though.
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
ammo is more expensive for centerfire .22's but its also more explosive and fun to use; of course depending on the type of bullet you use. (I had to put that in because I know somebody would turn it into something else
) (And I am not knocking you X man)
If you were not looking at 5-600 yards and were more inclined to shoot around 150 even 200 (maybe pushing it a little) I would reccomend the
.22 hornet.
Just my 2 cents. do what you want with it
) (And I am not knocking you X man)If you were not looking at 5-600 yards and were more inclined to shoot around 150 even 200 (maybe pushing it a little) I would reccomend the
.22 hornet.
Just my 2 cents. do what you want with it
If you fell cheap but decent and accurate go with a savage 12 FV in 223 or 243,
If you feel (or your wallet feels) more open, go with a sako varmint 243, will get you out there at 500-600 yards. I know 600 yards is stretching it for my capacities on varmints...
If you feel (or your wallet feels) more open, go with a sako varmint 243, will get you out there at 500-600 yards. I know 600 yards is stretching it for my capacities on varmints...
Pro-line shooter here in Calgary has a nice bolt in 50 bmg heck @ 600 yards it not even working yet. Portability is an issue it's not really a walk around varminter, but my guess is the reason you need to shoot coyotes at 600 is you don't like getting too far away from the truck or the back porch. There probably be escessive pelt damage too.
buckboy said:
Saputin touched on a very good point. You dont have to be right handed to be proficient with a right handed rifle. I have both right and left hand boltguns, and shoot both equally fast and Im a lefty. Choice of action is up to you, but i'll give you my 2 cents anyway
. All of my right hand boltguns have a rather short bolt throw. So when cycling the action, ther is more room for accidently misplaced fingers between the scope, and bolt when offhand shooting.
Secondly, if you intend to shoot the gun mostly prone, your better off with a right handed gun anyway... If your on a bipod, your offhand (being your right) does all of the work of cycling the action etc, without your triggerhand ever coming off the rifle. And, you can see it all take place clearly with your right eye . Its easier to follow ejected brass ...
The only downside, is in the event of a catestrophic failure, your face is on the "open" side of the gun... But if your ever in that type of situation, there is no safe place anyways...
If it will be a dedicated verminator, from a lefty's point of view, buy a righty...
And as said above, a 243, or 25-06 might be in better order. (Going to take both with me dirtpig hunting friday
) Lots of good advice with regards to rifle choices above, so I wont regurgitate that
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- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I'd consider a Ruger #1 in .243. Nosler's 55 gr, Ballistic Tips will give you 3900 fps, and heavy match 6mm bullets give good down range performance if you catch the long range target shooting bug.
