What should my next Varmint rifle be
- Thread starter bsnyder
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204 ruger gets my vote . But as many others have already pointed out I'd want something 6 mm preferably bigger more like 7 mm for wolf ! With that being said though if out and about with the trusty 204 and wolves were within 300 yards hopefully closer I'd not be afraid of sending one their way . I've owned 2 different 204 rugers and both have shot very well . A head shot on a stationary wolf out to 300 yards is plenty doable with practice . And those 20 cal bullets kill like lightning, when put in the penthouses
105buggavld
Well-Known Member
I vote 204
wm5l
Well-Known Member
I know its not on your list and its a little big for varmints but I just picked up a 16.5" carbon fiber 6.5CM in a Christensen Ridgeline and out of the box uncleaned on the way home it shot .42" 4 shot group with store bought 120s off of a quilt I had in the back seat at 100 yds. I quickly went home and loaded some 100gr Sierras and It did .31" and a .39" 4 shot group! I am NOT a 6.5CM homer BUT this sucker will shoot anything you throw in it. So far Ive tried 143s all the way down to 100s. I carried it Varmint hunting twice now and the 100gr Sierras (#1710) with tear a west Texas fox in half. Violent expansion in small game so I have to say, I think I have me a new Varmint AND deer gun for this year. The 243 and 7mm-08 might stay in the safe for a while. I don't even know why I bought it. Lord knows I didn't need it but I sure am having fun with it LOL
tnbndr
Well-Known Member
I just bought a .17Mach 2 Volquartsen, put a 2-7x44 Vortex scope on it. Now I am looking to acquire a PCP Air Rifle in .25 calibre.
Both will be used for Prairie dogs and other varmints.
Both will be used for Prairie dogs and other varmints.
not to mess up the love fest with 223 cals and smaller, but the big dog needs to drop my choice would be the venerable 6x45 mm barrel swap and your bad, and the big dog is down learn from those that do
Hugnot
Well-Known Member
No one rifle can cover the extensive spectrum of varmint shooting - from high volume moderate range, moderate volume ranges up to 400 - 600, then really long ranges for bigger varmints.
.20 Practical - pros: lots of cheap .223 brass, small powder charges, cheap zippy bullets of relatively hi BC for weight. 3600 fps plus with 40 Vmax's., long barrel life.
cons; brass needs continual trimming, .20 Tac with sharper shoulder might help
.22-.250 - must have 8 or faster twist for 75 & heavier bullets - pros: relatively small powder charges for increased ballistic performance with 75 & heavier bullets, .224 bullets less expensive than 6mm bullets. light recoil. Surprisingly good long range performance for a .224. Swats down small rodents with authority & drops yotes fast. 75 H ELDM bullet of choice, good expansion, low form factor & hi velocity, used with RL16, 4350's, PP4000MR & some others.
cons: brass needs continual trimming, .22CM might fix this & give higher velocities.
6mm AI - 8-10 twist depending - more energy for bigger varmints at longer ranges. The 87 VMax works real good and will give good accuracy with 8 twist. The 95 Berger VLD is my choice for long range, great combo of low FF & hi velocity. I started out with an 8 twist that I shot out, then re-barreled to a 10 twist that limited me to 87 VMax's, next barrel will be an 8 twist. Minimum trimming. Wide powder selection, uses same powders as .22-.250 with 87's. High velocity. Rounds feed perfect in Ruger M77 MKII LA. Will see how 6mm CM compares, a little slower but might catch up in other aspects.
cons; fire forming brass & 6mm brass is sort of scarce. 6mm CM expected to fix brass availability problem.
The 6.5-06 gets some use with 120 H ELDM's.
.20 Practical - pros: lots of cheap .223 brass, small powder charges, cheap zippy bullets of relatively hi BC for weight. 3600 fps plus with 40 Vmax's., long barrel life.
cons; brass needs continual trimming, .20 Tac with sharper shoulder might help
.22-.250 - must have 8 or faster twist for 75 & heavier bullets - pros: relatively small powder charges for increased ballistic performance with 75 & heavier bullets, .224 bullets less expensive than 6mm bullets. light recoil. Surprisingly good long range performance for a .224. Swats down small rodents with authority & drops yotes fast. 75 H ELDM bullet of choice, good expansion, low form factor & hi velocity, used with RL16, 4350's, PP4000MR & some others.
cons: brass needs continual trimming, .22CM might fix this & give higher velocities.
6mm AI - 8-10 twist depending - more energy for bigger varmints at longer ranges. The 87 VMax works real good and will give good accuracy with 8 twist. The 95 Berger VLD is my choice for long range, great combo of low FF & hi velocity. I started out with an 8 twist that I shot out, then re-barreled to a 10 twist that limited me to 87 VMax's, next barrel will be an 8 twist. Minimum trimming. Wide powder selection, uses same powders as .22-.250 with 87's. High velocity. Rounds feed perfect in Ruger M77 MKII LA. Will see how 6mm CM compares, a little slower but might catch up in other aspects.
cons; fire forming brass & 6mm brass is sort of scarce. 6mm CM expected to fix brass availability problem.
The 6.5-06 gets some use with 120 H ELDM's.
island2019
Active Member
My go to varmint cartridges are:
17-223 plentiful source of brass. I load 25 grain VMAX -300-350 yards
6x45 plentiful source of brass. I load 80 grain ballistic tip - 450-500 yards
.224 Valkyrie one of the only cartridges that you can find factory ammo for. I load 88 grain ELD M out to 1100 yards. I have tried several on your list and after 20 years the three mentioned are the ones that perform best fo me on everything from p-dogs to coyotes.
17-223 plentiful source of brass. I load 25 grain VMAX -300-350 yards
6x45 plentiful source of brass. I load 80 grain ballistic tip - 450-500 yards
.224 Valkyrie one of the only cartridges that you can find factory ammo for. I load 88 grain ELD M out to 1100 yards. I have tried several on your list and after 20 years the three mentioned are the ones that perform best fo me on everything from p-dogs to coyotes.
CZ 527 in 204 Ruger . Set trigger is awesome . I have a Zeiss HD5 5-25x50mm on mine and even with my 64 year old corrected vision eyes I was able to hit full soda pop cans at 350yds
Critter Picker
Well-Known Member
What he said
You can use Hornady FMJ pin hoe in and out. Wouldn't recommend for coyotes but have shot hundreds of fox with the old Speer 90 FMJ wish they still made them.
I just put together a 25-06 and killed several chucks over 600 yards with it. Don't overlook a quarter bore
sw282
Well-Known Member
l'm thinking about rebarreling my Remington 22-250 to 6mm Rem.
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I have shot probably a semi trailer load of yotes and chucks with my 220 swift. Have even shot a few mulies with it. (head shots) Shot placement is everything. I also have a 28" fast twist 22-6mm imp shooting 80gr bergers. Its a hammer on speed goats, and would probably do a number on woofs as well. Again. Shot placement. Farthest yote kill has been 1120
