if you could have only one varmit caliber

[RadSav]

.243

[timberfaller]

With all the calibers available and I could ONLY have one,  it would be the 220 Swift.

That being said, all my years of "pest" control,  the 257 Roberts put them down the hardest!!   Never shot for saving their pelts.

[Holg3107]

If you are pelt hunting - .222 Rem

If you are looking for budget friendly - .223/5.56

If you are looking for a utility gun that can be used for mid sized game as well - 6mm Rem or .243

If you want something weird - Ask Yorketransport

[jay.sharkbait]

.225 Winchester

[porcupine]

For varmints, .22 Mag.  Bigger critters, .22-250

[konradcountry]

With 22 mag you give up some range but it is better for training kids and shooting smaller varmints.

223 is fun to shoot but will kick more and is a lot louder which can intimidate early shooters. Keep in mind that an AR softens the kick quite a bit compared to a bolt action.

I would suggest starting them on a 22 mag and then later get a 223.

If I had to pick one I would probably go with a 22 mag. It's enough for 100 yard coyote and west side woods don't allow for long shots anyways. So where you hunt is also factor.

[X-Force]

6.5 creedmoor 


Actually a 223/5.56 ammo ammo ammo

[BKMFR]

.17 Remington, love no recoil, watching bullet hit, and no sewing up coyotes!

[Okanagan]

The kid learning factor tilts the answer to .223.

Otherwise, 6mm Rem. if you reload, but only in a long action. In short actions we can't seat the bullet out far enough to take advantage of the extra powder capacity over a .243.

If you don't reload and/or want a short action rifle, my one cartridge choice for varmints would be .243. 

[tallcooljuan]

With all that criteria, .223 hands down.  What did you end up with?

[yorketransport]

If you are pelt hunting - .222 Rem

If you are looking for budget friendly - .223/5.56

If you are looking for a utility gun that can be used for mid sized game as well - 6mm Rem or .243

If you want something weird - Ask Yorketransport

Either a 6.5 Badger (or slum it with a 26 Nosler ) loaded with 100gr ballistic tips at about 3700 fps or a 6br pistol. How’s that for weird?

I really like the 204 Ruger in a light weight rifle. It’s probably a little light for a big coyote at 300 yards but I’m sure it would work. I used one as my general purpose woods gun until I got a bolt gun in 6.5 Grendel, which wouldn’t be a bad option either.

[kim204]

.204 Ruger is a Screamer and drops coyotes in their tracks!!

I will 2nd that Have drop them in they tracks as far as 478yds .

[b23]

I have a wee bit of a varmint gun addiction, so just reading the words "if you could have only one varmint caliber" gave me cold sweats and sent me running for my OCD medication. 

But, then I re-read the title to this thread and realized the OP was asking about caliber, not cartridge, and in that case I'd have to say .22 cal but I really really like the .17's, 20's, and 24 calibers too. 

[Huntboy]

.243

[Skillet]

22-250