Seeking advice for an affordable Varmit Rifle

[Duckhammer]

Hi Folks,

I am interested in getting myself more into varmit hunting. Coyote, fox, ground squirrels etc.... I would like to purchase for myself a good bolt action type of rifle and was wanting feedback on good calibers, rifle choices etc....This rifle will only be for small game & plinking, so any input or advice is much appreciated.

[coachcw]

.260 covers a lot of spectrums inless you just wanna go .223 for ammo. sps varm.

[Bill W]

If you got a .22-250 you probably wouldn't want anything more (unless you turn into a gun nut).   Most of the .22 centerfires have close to the same decibel report so smaller ones wouldn't make much of a difference for more rural areas.   The .223 does have bulk ammo available in favorable times.

If you don't reload buy a caliber that has factory ammo readily available and not some obscure cartridge.  I've got two wildcats and the only way I get ammo for them is to form the cases and handload the ammo.

[X-Force]

204, 223, 243 in savage 10 predator max 1.
 2 of my brothers have the gun in 6.5 and they are both extremely accurate.

there are a million options but it comes down to budget, country you hunt, and the game you are after. good luck.

[wildweeds]

I've got 2 savage 10 predator hunter max 1's, a .204 and a .223.I actually got the .223 from Huntboy on this site,they are both VERY VERY accurate shooters.Used ones are out there.Fact is there is a 22-250 Remington 700 with a 2x10 scope in the  weapons classifieds right now at a package price of 650 if I remember right,has the varmint barrell and IMHO is a SCREAMING deal!

[Jim the Plumber]

Savage Stevens in 223 Remington. Then save your $$ and buy as much optics as your budget allows.

[seth30]

Savage Stevens in 223 Remington. Then save your $$ and buy as much optics as your budget allows.

  I own one myself and love it

[buckfvr]

Sounds like you need two guns.........if you're talking about ground squirrels as I know them, .22 mag is what most of us ( guys I shootem with ) use here.  Coyotes in any kind of wind and open ground, Id start with .243, and .260 would also be an option......( my next ).  Longer the barrel ( within reason ), the better.   

[Duckhammer]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback, it is very much appreciated! I have definately been leaning towards the .223 (Especially since ammo is so regularly available and I dont currently reload.)

[Heredoggydoggy]

Good choice! 

[GEARHEAD]

anything bolt in .243, just a simple bushnell trophy, type scope will do, should be easy to find a good used rifle for cheap. you can use it for deer too or a spare, with the 100 gr bullets and for Yotes use the Hornady 58 gr Superformance, they are screaming fast and flat and accurate, like 3700fps.

[Bofire]

  Tikka T3 lite bolt gun, stainless, 22-250 or 243.
Carl

[Duckhammer]

So here is the thing gearhead, I have a Ruger m77 .243 that is my #1 tackdriver without question. It killed the cow in my profile pic with a single 100 grain bullet through the neck at 66 yards. I dont want to change anything up about that set-up for varmits. So I thought why not, daddy needs a new gun, if I could find the same m77 in .223 I would definately buy it!

[wildweeds]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135723.0.html

So here is the thing gearhead, I have a Ruger m77 .243 that is my #1 tackdriver without question. It killed the cow in my profile pic with a single 100 grain bullet through the neck at 66 yards. I dont want to change anything up about that set-up for varmits. So I thought why not, daddy needs a new gun, if I could find the same m77 in .223 I would definately buy it!

[Jim the Plumber]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135723.0.html
Little rich for my blood, but it's a 77 in .223.