What makes a big game cartridge also a good varmit cartridge?

[roninflag]

it takes acccuracy and power to accomplish both. see page 22 of the american rifleman april 2007. the 6.5-06 or a 6.5-284 with a kreiger barrel or broughtn; h and s or mccmiln stock and a mk4 or nightforce scope would do it.

[bryan c]

I have to go with a 6.5-284 or the 25-06, depending on personal preference. The 6.5 will shoot heavier bullets with a higher B.C. Berger does now make a high B.C. 25 caliber bullet and you can buy a 25-06 right of the shelf if thats important.

[liltank]

I started with a .308 Win for my varmint and deer needs for LRH. I found that 1000 yards even for ghogs was a little difficult with just enough snot to get us there. We hit around them, but just couldn't get on them. I've upgraded to a 300WSM. With the .308 for deer it runs out of steam at about 800 yards (even then a well placed shot is required with good conditions), with the 300 I can get out to about 1200. My MOA clicks for the .308 at 1000 is 43MOA, w/ the 300 it is split in half shooting 26MOA.

The .308 is really limited to 168-175grn projectiles for the best effectiveness for those ranges. You can use the 110 V-Max for varmints out to about 400. A better marksman than me could push that I'm sure. With the 300 I use a 200grn SMK that will do all my work from short to long, because I generally carry one rifle for varmint. Very few of our shots have been under 200yrds. I guess I like the wind bucking ability, and with the break, recoil is very managable. I will carry the .308 if I know we are shooting short feilds (400 or less).

I think big calibers are very capable of great accuracy.

Tank

[canyonman1]

I use my 338 edge and 300 mk for varmints and everything else I hunt. I believe in using the gun you use for long range hunting big game, for varmints also.
If you cant handle the recoil or cant see your impact at long range on a varmint, you have no business shooting at larger game at long range either!
Only 1 exception, and that is with a very experienced spotter in whom you trust. If you can't spot your own shots and you're not willing to hike a mile or 2 on the word of a hit or miss from your spotter, don't shoot.



Heed the man who owns only one gun, he likely knows how to use it.

[Talyn]

IMO anything over 6.5 mm and a magnum is overkill for varmits. If you want to use more powerful cartridges it's your choice. But it will cost more, plus in my experience those I've seen using heavier cartridges get beat up more and develop poorer shooting habits because of it.

[Chugiakbilly]

Hi, living here in Alaska there isn't really a one gun answer to your question. There are also a few other states with the same problem... Bears. Big Bears. Big Grizzly bears. Our varmints are listed as fur bearers and their pelts (hides) are worth a lot more in one piece rather than several. Thus the two gun solution. .338 Federal or .325 WSM for sheep, moose, caribou and the inevitable Brown Bear. For the varmints most use the .204 Ruger or the AR.223 with TNT bullets. They go in - but don't come out. Use 4x magnification for every 100yards on varmints. Keep your powder dry.