What do you like for a varmint round/gun?

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

.17 Hornet, .222Rem, .204 Rem
The .204 may not stabilize the 40gr. Hornady bullet but if it does you have a winner. Otherwise use the 39gr. pill.

Is there a faster twist than a Tikka 1 in 12" That stabilizes 40 grains better.
Tikka and Savage shoot 140s just fi e.
I can't see dropping 1 grain from 140 to 139 making a difference.

[aardvaark]

Originally Posted by Battle Rat

Is there a faster twist than a Tikka 1 in 12" That stabilizes 40 grains better.
Tikka and Savage shoot 140s just fi e.
I can't see dropping 1 grain from 140 to 139 making a difference.

Another vote for the.204R here.

Far as I know 12:1 is factory twist for all 204R. The only way to get a faster twist is with a custom barrel.

I’m guessing you meant 40gr and 39gr, if you run a comparison on a bullet twist calcuator, and those two bullets, the Hornady 40gr Vmax and the Sierra 39gr come up with different twist rate requirements. It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but the 39 Sierra beats out the 40 Hornady by quite a bit. It’s all about bullet shape, overall length, boat tail or not, fps of the bullet, and length of plastic tip.

My 204R in Tikka varmint shoots the 39 excellent, it’s my fav bullet in that gun. But it will not stabilize the 40’s, between 100 and 200 yds the group goes from half inch to 2”. Apparently why some do and some don’t is because the actual twist varies from barrel to barrel (yours might be 1:11.5 and mines 1:12.5 that idea), and since the 40 is marginal at 1:12, it will stabilize in some barrels but not others. Another factor as well is the speed that you’re sending them out at also affects bullet stability, it all comes down to RPM’s in a given distance.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by X-Treme

Coyotes, wolves, beavers, etc.

I already have a .17HMR and .22LR for gophers and birds.

Hunting rifles start at .270 and go up from there. Only a .223 or PCC between .22 and .270.

Having done exactly what you are talking about:

243. When you get quick opportunities it does the job much better.

Small bullets into big yotes or wolves can mean long tracking jobs. I only skin what I want for the wall, but I don’t want them running off onto the neighbors or anywhere else.

I put two 17s into a coyote at only 170 yards, resting off the deck railing dead steady, and the damn thing still made it into a slough on the other side of the quarter. Switched to the 243, they go down and stay there.

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by X-Treme

Coyotes, wolves, beavers, etc.

I already have a .17HMR and .22LR for gophers and birds.

Hunting rifles start at .270 and go up from there. Only a .223 or PCC between .22 and .270.

If that’s the plan I’m voting a fast 6mm of some description. The two I played with the most were .243’s and 6mm Remingtons like I already mentioned. In the end I settled on the .243 and it would be the easiest off the shelf choice for what you want to do with it.
It’s more then you need for beavers but works a treat for everything else you mentioned and puts them down with authority. A 65 grain crowding 3800 fps shoots flat and takes the guess work out of trajectory within reasonable ranges. You can also engage them at any angle and will get a pass through.
That can’t be said for a .204 and to suggest something that light as a specific coyote/wolf gun leaves me scratching my head. Been there done that, bought my .204 the year they were released. I still have it but it’s better in the gopher patch then the coyote fields and I would need a broadside chest shot on a wolf to even consider it.

[Big Lou]

Originally Posted by X-Treme

Coyotes, wolves, beavers, etc.

I already have a .17HMR and .22LR for gophers and birds.

Hunting rifles start at .270 and go up from there. Only a .223 or PCC between .22 and .270.

With the addition of wolves to your list, I’m pretty much in the same camp as above. .20 cal and smaller .22 cal would be out. Not that they can’t kill them; just wouldn’t be my first, second, third choice etc. Bigger .22 cal or something in a 6mm offering. Again, I’d give much preference to the 6mms and be done with it. Both species of canines and every shot angle are covered in spades.

[glen moa]

.223 on wolf if under 200y.
243 with factory 75gr hornady hits hard. 600y wolf gun.
I’m thinking a 308 with a long range bullet. It would be useful on bigger game too over the 243.

[X-Treme]

Originally Posted by glen moa

.223 on wolf if under 200y.
243 with factory 75gr hornady hits hard. 600y wolf gun.
I’m thinking a 308 with a long range bullet. It would be useful on bigger game too over the 243.

May as well just stick with my .270 Win and my .300WM then.

Could also shoot them at 1200 with my .338LM. Lol

[-JR-]

22-250 55 grainers HP
7 mag with 100 grain HP

[glen moa]

It’s just that normal varmint guns are a little light for wolf past 200y.
So maybe you can go 223 then use a big caliber for longer range wolf. 7mm mag would be nice. The modern bullets gives us lots of options and i feel the 308 can do a lot of jobs.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by aardvaark

Another vote for the.204R here.

Far as I know 12:1 is factory twist for all 204R. The only way to get a faster twist is with a custom barrel.

I’m guessing you meant 40gr and 39gr, if you run a comparison on a bullet twist calcuator, and those two bullets, the Hornady 40gr Vmax and the Sierra 39gr come up with different twist rate requirements. It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but the 39 Sierra beats out the 40 Hornady by quite a bit. It’s all about bullet shape, overall length, boat tail or not, fps of the bullet, and length of plastic tip.

My 204R in Tikka varmint shoots the 39 excellent, it’s my fav bullet in that gun. But it will not stabilize the 40’s, between 100 and 200 yds the group goes from half inch to 2”. Apparently why some do and some don’t is because the actual twist varies from barrel to barrel (yours might be 1:11.5 and mines 1:12.5 that idea), and since the 40 is marginal at 1:12, it will stabilize in some barrels but not others. Another factor as well is the speed that you’re sending them out at also affects bullet stability, it all comes down to RPM’s in a given distance.

Thanks explained very well!

[6.5 shooter]

Just to clarify down South, wolves are not on the menu, if they were, then yes a 6mm or even 6.5mm would be a go to caliber. I snipe and must call my own shots so recoil is a big deal. So I stick to the milder/smaller calibers and have yet to have any coyote or badger run off from a well placed shot from any, of the calibers I mentioned.

[Ronji]

I had 3 different 22-250 and really liked them. Super accurate.

I bought a 204 and sold all the 22-250's. Inside a dime all day.

[Mavrick]

Brno Fox-Mod 2 22 Hornet. Double trigger. Handed Down to me when my uncle past. I can hit and kill most dogs at 150 yards. Never thought about ever spending the money to get something else. I can’t say I’m a great shot, but do ok, so this gun is probably above my ability of what I can do, and I find I can call most dogs in to my comfort zone.

[gunluvr]

22-250 in a Savage 110 Predator
20" fluted heavy barrel
53 gr. V Max @ 3750 for coyotes
55 gr. HP @ 3750 or
40 gr. HP @ 4000 for gophers

[BuckCuller]

I chose the Ruger American Ranch Rifle 5.56/223 because the gun shoots great, cheap to buy and takes my AR mags. You can find brass everywhere for free and reloading is cheaper with 55gr varmageddon’s (go on sale often). I can reload 300 an hour on the Dillon 550 not including case prep.

[270person]

Anschutz 1531/32 in .222 40-50gr
CZ 527 Sporter BBL .223 50gr
Rem LVSF .223 50gr

if all else fails the CZ 527 HB in 17 Hornet 25gr

[markg]

I am surprised no one mentioned the 22 Creedmoor. It gives you the velocity of a 204R with a much wider variety of bullets. Worth considering if you dont mind the expense of a custom rifle and you reload.

[markg]

Originally Posted by markg

I am surprised no one mentioned the 22 Creedmoor. It gives you the velocity of a 204R with a much wider variety of bullets. Worth considering if you dont mind the expense of a custom rifle and you reload.

I forgot to mention its saami approved and factory ammo is now available. Whats not to like? (well maybe barrel life).

[Smokinyotes]

Probably due to the lack of factory chamberings Mark

[lone wolf]

I didn't get the rifle back until after gopher season however I have developed a couple of very accurate loads for my 221 Fireball using 40 grain Blitzkings. They leave the barrel at around 3000fps, which is pretty darn good for the amount of powder it burns.

[Quest206]

I've been using a 204 for almost 20 years and load 40 gr. Vmax with excellent results. Best caliber for saving fur.

[fps plus]

Originally Posted by lone wolf

I didn't get the rifle back until after gopher season however I have developed a couple of very accurate loads for my 221 Fireball using 40 grain Blitzkings. They leave the barrel at around 3000fps, which is pretty darn good for the amount of powder it burns.

1680 or 680 is the powder for 221Fireball.

[roper1]

Have & had many a varmint chambering. 22 Mag, 22 Hornet, 220 Swift, 223, 22-250, 243. Current fav is a 22-250 in a Finnlight I bought used here off a fine fella. Gun shoots way better than me. Might be hard to argue 22-250 the most versatile varmint round but to each their own.

[markg]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Probably due to the lack of factory chamberings Mark

ya your probably right I just assume people will buy custom actions and barrels as opposed to factory rifles.

If I may, buy a custom once and cry once then enjoy it for the rest of your life.

[Groundhogger]

Well, this doesn't apply for wolves....but my experience has mostly been 204/223/243 and I think if wolves were a real part of that, I might opt for 243.

Otherwise, I've realized I hadn't given allot of thought to varmint calibers until a couple of years ago when I added a 17 Hornet then this year, a 22 Hornet. I haven't hunted with the 22 Hornet yet, but that's high on the list of things I'm looking forward to in 2025. 17Hornet will positively anchor a big groundhog @ 200 yards, so it's more capable than I had given it credit for.

I spent years working on getting 223 shooting fast with light bullets before turning to 204 Ruger. At the distances I shoot here most (-200 yards) 204 is almost too easy, so anything heavier/faster is just a personal choice. I'd never really considered things like 25-06, or even something like .222. .222 would have saved me some trouble, now considering one even though the need factor is less than zero. I could see having some serious fun working up loads for 22 on the lighter-end of the spectrum.

[markg]

Originally Posted by Groundhogger

Well, this doesn't apply for wolves....but my experience has mostly been 204/223/243 and I think if wolves were a real part of that, I might opt for 243.

Otherwise, I've realized I hadn't given allot of thought to varmint calibers until a couple of years ago when I added a 17 Hornet then this year, a 22 Hornet. I haven't hunted with the 22 Hornet yet, but that's high on the list of things I'm looking forward to in 2025. 17Hornet will positively anchor a big groundhog @ 200 yards, so it's more capable than I had given it credit for.

I spent years working on getting 223 shooting fast with light bullets before turning to 204 Ruger. At the distances I shoot here most (-200 yards) 204 is almost too easy, so anything heavier/faster is just a personal choice. I'd never really considered things like 25-06, or even something like .222. .222 would have saved me some trouble, now considering one even though the need factor is less than zero. I could see having some serious fun working up loads for 22 on the lighter-end of the spectrum.

Give some consideration to the 22 Creedmoor launching the heavy 75gr pills at 3300 fps might take your varimintinig to a whole new level.

[6.5 shooter]

Got a 6x45 coming in the mail, should be a good gopher/large varmint rifle. Not much recoil, hopefully it will shoot 87gr. Hornady bullets and I have a ton of .223 brass so life is good!