Looking for a Fit for Purpose Varmint Rifle

[Prairiewolf]

Hey folks,

Varminting is something I've been interested for a couple of seasons now - I'm looking at doing an Oilman's coyote shoot early next spring. I thought I would poll guys who know about this to get some information. What do you look for when you're selecting a true varmint rifle? What is a solid calibre for this? I don't need a 243 as I don't see requiring a deer crossover rifle, just pure coyote and down.

I've thought about a Browning x-bolt stainless stalker in 223 since I use an x-bolt 7MM RM as my big game rifle and like the fit. Having said that, I'm not sure this is an ideal choice. Some questions I have are:

1. Would a semi-auto be a better choice for coyotes? Particularly when using a predator call setup?

2. I've heard the 22-250 is very loud relative to the 223, any comments for either?

3. Scopes, what are good power choices for this? I've had friends comment on both the short range and long range side of things, one even suggesting going with standard iron sights.

Thanks!

PW

[tikka250]

I have shot 223 and 22-250 for coyotes and as a coyote only caliber i would choose the 22-250 hands down every time. The 22-250 shoots very flat so holdovers are quite minimal on a coyote out to 400 yards and still hold plenty of good knockdown power. Pelt damage is also quite minimal as long as shots are placed right.
As far as noise goes i have never found the extra bang to bother coyotes any more than the 223 does.
If you already are famiar with the xbolt i would say your choice for an xbolt 22-250 is great.
For scopes i like a 4-12 for the few times i take semi longer shots. The only thing to remember is to dial back before starting your calling as you will be a lot more frantic when a dog comes in at 50 yards and all you see is fur.

[catnthehat]

The areas I typically hunt for coyotes are much better suited to the 223as we bait and call and our shots are typically less than 200 meters,
Cat

[Groundhogger]

I think the X-Bolt in .223 is a good choice, but knowing the distance you'll be shooting would help. I don't have any experience with 22-250, but I shoot a .223 and .204 R myself and know that the .223 is effective. Shot placement is critical on .223 or 22-250 though. I think if you knew shots would be in the 100-300 yard range, I'd use a .223. If it was past that, I'd move up to .243. Same goes for the scope. Out to 300 yards, I'd be using something that tops-out around 15x-16x. Past that, I'd personally want more magnification. Both varmint guns I have wear the same scope~a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 with a BDC reticle.

Back to the rifle... I the X-Bolt feels right to you, pick that. I'm a Savage guy, and if I were starting-out today...I'd likely grab one of their "Hog Hunter" models in .223. Ugly, but effective...and a fair price.

[lclund1946]

For varmints from coyote down to gophers a 20 caliber is the best choice. The higher BC of the 40 V-Max over the 40-55 V-Max, in 22 Caliber, give it superior ballistics even out to 500 yards. While the 55 V-Max, in a 22-250, has a bit more energy at 500 yards the 20 will get the job done with less powder and recoil. As well energy will be less at closer ranges so pelt damage will be less. In the gopher patch the 20 is a much better choice.

For the varmint hunter wanting an economical rifle with factory ammunition a CZ 577 Varmint in a 204R is likely the ultimate. I prefer to have at least 20 power for longer shots in the gopher field and there are a number of variables that are good options without breaking the bank. My personal preference is the Hawke Tactical Series.

I believe that I have the ultimate gopher to coyote varmint rifle/cartridge in the CZ 527 Kevlar, chambered in 20 EXTREME, shown below with a Leupold 6.5-20X40 VXIII LR Varmint Hunter Reticle.
[IMG][/IMG]
With 6-8 grains less powder than the 204R it will get the job done. It will push the 39/40 grain bullets from 3450 fps to 3650 fps with 21.2 - 22.2 grains of powder and to the same POI within 1/2 MOA. Of course one has to be able to hand load, as this is a wildcat cartridge, but finding and forming brass from 222R is simple. The loads I have developed seem to work in all rifles so loading is easy as well. The CZ 527 Varmint is one of the best donor rifles if one wants a more efficient cartridge than the 204R, especially in the gopher patch.

[duceman]

what iclund said; if you don't go with a touch of class and find or build a 222 rem! otherwise follow the sheeple and run a .223, lee

[elkhunter11]

This year I sold off my 223 bolt rifles, and went with a 20Vartarg, and a 20Tactical.The Vartarg drives a 32 gr bullet at 3650fps, and offers grear barrel life, since it only uses 18.5 gr of powder.The 20 tactical drives a 39 gr bullet at 3900fps, but because it uses 25.5gr of powder, barrel life won't be as long. The Vartarg requires 221 brass to be necked down, and factory brass is available for the 20 tactical. There are a variety of dies available for both cartridges.

[tchardy1972]

Originally Posted by lclund1946

For varmints from coyote down to gophers a 20 caliber is the best choice. The higher BC of the 40 V-Max over the 40-55 V-Max, in 22 Caliber, give it superior ballistics even out to 500 yards. While the 55 V-Max, in a 22-250, has a bit more energy at 500 yards the 20 will get the job done with less powder and recoil. As well energy will be less at closer ranges so pelt damage will be less. In the gopher patch the 20 is a much better choice.

For the varmint hunter wanting an economical rifle with factory ammunition a CZ 577 Varmint in a 204R is likely the ultimate. I prefer to have at least 20 power for longer shots in the gopher field and there are a number of variables that are good options without breaking the bank. My personal preference is the Hawke Tactical Series.

I believe that I have the ultimate gopher to coyote varmint rifle/cartridge in the CZ 527 Kevlar, chambered in 20 EXTREME, shown below with a Leupold 6.5-20X40 VXIII LR Varmint Hunter Reticle.
[IMG][/IMG]
With 6-8 grains less powder than the 204R it will get the job done. It will push the 39/40 grain bullets from 3450 fps to 3650 fps with 21.2 - 22.2 grains of powder and to the same POI within 1/2 MOA. Of course one has to be able to hand load, as this is a wildcat cartridge, but finding and forming brass from 222R is simple. The loads I have developed seem to work in all rifles so loading is easy as well. The CZ 527 Varmint is one of the best donor rifles if one wants a more efficient cartridge than the 204R, especially in the gopher patch.

What makes the cz any better than anything else for a donor? The mini mauser isn't really ideal for top accuracy.

[lclund1946]

Originally Posted by tchardy1972

What makes the cz any better than anything else for a donor? The mini mauser isn't really ideal for top accuracy.

Not saying that the CZ 527 is better than anything else but for an economical varmint rig they are hard to beat. I really like the controlled round feed and I have yet to true an action or bed a stock. The single set trigger can easily be set to about 6 oz. and the main trigger isn't too bad with the creep taken out and adjusted down to about 2#. I had one that Calhoon tuned down to 12 oz. but I haven't figured out how to do it. The magazine is not great in the gopher patch but I use a Calhoon single shot follower.

At twice the money the ultimate donor rifles are the Sako short actions as even the A1 holds 7+1 and is easy to top load. The Sako 75 and 85's have a very nice clip that holds 7. The Sako 85 does have a semi-controlled round feed and a single set trigger that is quite nice.

If I were to do a BR rifle I would likely go to a custom action but for a varmint rifle off the bipod I find that I get a lot of sub 1/3 MOA groups even guite a few groups around 1/4" at 100 M with my CZ's.
Standard 39 BK gopher load in a new CZ 527 Kevlar rifle after shoot and clean 2X. Chuck should like this as it was shot from a clean cold bore.
[IMG][/IMG]
Same load first time out with a trued Remington XR-100 sporting a 9 twist Shillen barrel. Un-prepped Winchester brass beat out the fully prepped brass but the wind was likely the deciding factor.
[IMG][/IMG]
XR 100 with 55 Berger in Lake City brass.
[IMG][/IMG]

CZ 527 Kevlar.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

I could go on but can only post 5 pictures. I guess the point is that the CZ 527 action shoots a lot of different bullet combinations about as good as any action and the 20 EXTREME shoots about as good as any cartridge in any action.

[Robmcleod82]

223 is lack lustre for coyotes, If you don't want to go the 243 route I'd go 17rem or 22-250. Both are far superior to the 223 rem

[MadMarty911]

Disagree with a .223 being lackluster for coyotes.

I just decided to take a chance on something different. I picked up a Mossberg MVP Varmint with that sweet sweet grey laminate stock. In .223 and takes AR mags. Must say I'm quite impressed so far!

Nailed 3 coyotes yesterday at 250 yards with that insufficient .223.......

[Robmcleod82]

Didn't say 223 wouldn't kill them.... Eventually

[tchardy1972]

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

Disagree with a .223 being lackluster for coyotes.

I just decided to take a chance on something different. I picked up a Mossberg MVP Varmint with that sweet sweet grey laminate stock. In .223 and takes AR mags. Must say I'm quite impressed so far!

Nailed 3 coyotes yesterday at 250 yards with that insufficient .223.......

A 223 is more than sufficient for coyotes. I have been using its for years. A 223 damages the pelt less than a 22-250.

Maybe Rob still gets a little worked up when a coyote comes to his call and the 22-250 helps make up for lack luster bullet placement

[6.5 shooter]

My choice if It were possible in Kanacastan would be a highly accurate AR platform shooting .204 or similar round with a 4-6x scope.

But seeing as that's not an option a .204 or .222 and if pelt damage is not a consideration? A 6.5x55 Tikka T3 shooting 108gr. Lapua bullets (Which is my current yote rig), it works just fine. The only reason I am not using the .204-.222 rifles is their to darn heavy or they would also see action in the field.