Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: outdooraddict on June 28, 2018, 01:50:27 PM

Title: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: outdooraddict on June 28, 2018, 01:50:27 PM: I dont want to hear what brand, stainless or blued, synthetic or wood. Just the caliber. If you could have only one varmit cartrige what would you choose. coyotes, rock chucks, kids learning to shoot, medium range 300 yrds max, what would it be and why. im in the market for one and cant decide.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Henrydog on June 28, 2018, 01:52:07 PM: .223 Cheap, available, fair number of loading, no recoil.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: jackmaster on June 28, 2018, 01:53:27 PM: 223 for sure, pretty much can always get rounds :tup:
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on June 28, 2018, 01:54:42 PM: My caliber would be .22, chambered in .220 Swift. Mainly just because it is a classic round I grew up reading about and lusting to own. Still on my bucket list.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Eric M on June 28, 2018, 02:03:10 PM: I like the 22-250. Without looking it up, I think the drop is about 7 inches at 300 yards. Low recoil. Lots of load data available. Another thing I noticed was a few years ago when it was hard to get 223 the 22-250 was still readily available on the shelf. I also like the 204.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: MooseZ25 on June 28, 2018, 02:10:40 PM: .243
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: CAMPMEAT on June 28, 2018, 02:12:28 PM: 223.

I have a blue barreled action in 22-250 for sale. $400 plus shipping, insurance and FFL by buyer. :tup:
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: wolftrapper on June 28, 2018, 02:15:41 PM: .222 Remington for me....but would advise you to go with the .223.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Jonathan_S on June 28, 2018, 02:17:41 PM: Can't believe I'm saying it but .223 is probably what I'd recommend.

The .22-250 shines at all distance but not enough within 300 to out weigh how awesome it is to own, load for, and shoot a .223
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 28, 2018, 02:32:07 PM: Obvious answer is .223 for all practical reasons but man it's boring :chuckle: therefore I say .243 with a 58gr vmax pushed to within sniffing distance of 4k fps. It explodes everything it hits! So much awesome :chuckle:
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on June 28, 2018, 02:36:32 PM: Quote from: Karl Blanchard on June 28, 2018, 02:32:07 PM
therefore I say .243 with a 58gr vmax pushed to within sniffing distance of 4k fps. It explodes everything it hits! So much awesome :chuckle:

:chuckle: Nice.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: AWS on June 28, 2018, 02:38:23 PM: I have to go with Wolftrapper. I have three 222 Re., not a single 223 left any new 223's get rechambered to 22-204 everything a 223 AI but no fire-forming, a little more capacity, and feeds better. I have a 22-250 but it stays in the safe.

Sako 222

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/BH8AGG.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnBH8AGGj)

Model 70 222

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/X5aAGk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poX5aAGkj)

I do like to save pelts
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Fatherof4 on June 28, 2018, 02:40:13 PM: .204 Ruger is a Screamer and drops coyotes in their tracks!!
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: jasnt on June 28, 2018, 02:44:29 PM: 243. With 26” barrel and re15 I had a 62gr Berger column at 4010 FPS. Red mist!
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Cougartail on June 28, 2018, 03:20:31 PM: The real decision is weather you are "hide" hunting or not. Hide hunting and the 223 is tops. If not, the 243 or 6.5 Creedmoor would be good ones for runaways are few.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: RadSav on June 28, 2018, 03:22:59 PM: .243
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: timberfaller on June 28, 2018, 03:55:31 PM: 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!! :tup: Never shot for saving their pelts.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Holg3107 on June 28, 2018, 06:02:05 PM: 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
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on June 28, 2018, 06:55:42 PM: .225 Winchester
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: porcupine on June 28, 2018, 11:00:11 PM: For varmints, .22 Mag. Bigger critters, .22-250
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: konradcountry on June 29, 2018, 09:51:23 AM: 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.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: X-Force on June 29, 2018, 09:55:38 AM: 6.5 creedmoor :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

Actually a 223/5.56 ammo ammo ammo
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: BKMFR on June 29, 2018, 10:05:42 AM: .17 Remington, love no recoil, watching bullet hit, and no sewing up coyotes!
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Okanagan on June 29, 2018, 10:10:41 AM: 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.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: tallcooljuan on November 03, 2018, 07:57:27 AM: With all that criteria, .223 hands down. What did you end up with?
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: yorketransport on November 03, 2018, 09:11:03 AM: Quote from: Holg3107 on June 28, 2018, 06:02:05 PM
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 :tup:) loaded with 100gr ballistic tips at about 3700 fps or a 6br pistol. How’s that for weird? :chuckle:

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.
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: kim204 on November 03, 2018, 07:23:21 PM: Quote from: Fatherof4 on June 28, 2018, 02:40:13 PM
.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 .
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: b23 on November 03, 2018, 07:42:39 PM: 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. :yike:

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. :tup:
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Huntboy on November 03, 2018, 08:00:01 PM: .243
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Skillet on November 03, 2018, 08:21:51 PM: 22-250
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: Scheindogg on November 03, 2018, 08:34:41 PM: .50 BMG
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: KFhunter on November 12, 2018, 12:57:23 PM: Im seriously thinking 223 wylde or 224valk, if not for 22 cal rule on cougar id look at the 17s harder, 17rem seems fun

sent from the telephone
Title: Re: if you could have only one varmit caliber
Post by: theleo on November 12, 2018, 01:07:19 PM: 22-250 gets my vote as I've exploded a fair share of critters with mine, but there's a definite chance a 20 tactical might make it's way into the gun safe one of these days.