Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 12:52:01 PM

Title: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 12:52:01 PM: What's the best all-around cartridge for varmints if you could only own 1 varmint gun for Squirells, Rockchucks, Prairie Dogs, Coyotes, etc.

Consider all reasons: cost, performance, ammo availalbility, barrel life, etc.

I love a 257 Wby for coyotes, a 220 Swift for paririe dogs, and a 10/22 for cheap fun. I don't even own one, but I voted for the .223 due to it's ability to perform on all varmints and ammo is more affordable and usually more available than other center fires. Take all common sense and money out of the equation and I would vote 257 WTBY, it is an awesome varmint gun.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Huntbear on July 31, 2009, 08:50:16 PM: 22-250 is an awesome all purpose varmint round.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: jdb on August 03, 2009, 07:42:10 PM: .223
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: stumprat on August 03, 2009, 07:44:17 PM: .223 for me
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Kent Hunter on August 03, 2009, 09:23:39 PM: I love my .220 Swift. I've shot a Swift for alot of years, so I'm pretty biased. ;). I also second what Bearpaw said about the .257 WBY. It is throwing out the common sense, but that is a great round!!
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: huntnphool on August 03, 2009, 09:35:17 PM: .223 for me too, if I only get to own one.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: granola/hippyslayer on August 04, 2009, 08:30:08 PM: so i guess I am the only one to vote on the .243 wssm. guts everywhere! LOVE IT
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Special T on August 11, 2009, 10:39:45 AM: I really like the 22-250 but if one is all ya got I would say .223 cause if you dont hitem the first time you can walk the lead in! :mgun: AR style!
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on August 11, 2009, 10:55:58 AM: Uh, I think you meant .243 WINCHESTER, not Remington.

I'd pick the 6ppc for hair splitting accuracy, but the .243win is much more virsital, not as finicky.

The .223 is very popular, but I think that is because it is so cheap to shoot more than it's ability to reach out and touch a doggie at distance.

-Steve
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: dontgetcrabs on August 11, 2009, 11:01:18 AM: 22-250 all the way.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Intruder on August 20, 2009, 09:48:53 AM: 223 by a slight margin... mainly just to to availability of ammo. Although, that aspect has in recent months been diminished as an advantage to the cal.

204 and 22-250 would also be high on my list.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: gunnarnewt on August 20, 2009, 10:07:53 AM: I never in a million years would've even considered my vote until last year, when I "bit the bullett" and bought my 257 WBY. I've never been happier. Sure the ammo is insanely expensive, but I reload to cut the costs, and to me it's worth it to watch those coyotes drop in their tracks. The nice thing about it is, it's also a great deer, antelope and even elk round in the right hands. I always owned a 22-250 before, but I don't think I'll ever go back to the .22's.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Huntboy on August 20, 2009, 10:17:52 AM: 22-250 because I'm down to one and that is it.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: KimberRich on August 26, 2009, 09:13:35 AM: 22-250. Shoots faster and flatter with little recoil. Love mine.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: buckhorn2 on August 26, 2009, 09:24:15 AM: 22-250 for small game but like the 257 wby for other things.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: EastWaViking on August 26, 2009, 09:29:12 AM: I voted 22-250 but for years I shot coyotes with my 300 Weatherby... flat shooting and they didn't get away.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Big10gauge on August 26, 2009, 09:43:09 AM: I used the 22-250 for 25+ years, but I voted for the .204 as now I always seem to use it exclusively.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: MtnMuley on August 27, 2009, 04:04:34 PM: I also primarily use the 204 now days, but voted for the 22-250, because it's so universal in all aspects in varmint hunting. Plus, if you forget your ammo for some reason, it's pretty easy to find.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: MuleySniper on August 27, 2009, 04:21:25 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on August 27, 2009, 04:04:34 PM
I also primarily use the 204 now days, but voted for the 22-250, because it's so universal in all aspects in varmint hunting. Plus, if you forget your ammo for some reason, it's pretty easy to find.

Good choice. Plus if we were in a "The Colony" situation, or lived in ID, you could still easily kill a deer. :chuckle:
MS
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2009, 07:38:01 AM: How does the 204 do at long range, I almost got one when they came out and then kind of lost interest. With some of the posts here it sparked my curiosity.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: MtnMuley on September 03, 2009, 04:25:21 PM: I've killed several dogs between 400 and 480 yards. Many were DOA. Very flat, fur saving, round. I generally don't educate dogs any further than 500 yards, plus, I can't seem to hit em!!
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: Tman on September 03, 2009, 06:39:04 PM: Nothing better than ventilating small varmints with the .17HMR
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: superdown on September 03, 2009, 08:53:16 PM: I voted 223 rem . I think you meant 222. remington magnum rather than 223 rem mag.
Title: Re: Best Varmint Gun Poll
Post by: bearpaw on September 14, 2009, 04:24:34 AM: Quote from: superdown on September 03, 2009, 08:53:16 PM
I voted 223 rem . I think you meant 222. remington magnum rather than 223 rem mag.

you might be right on that one.....

looks like the 22-250 is the favorite...even though I figured t would be the .223 due to popularity of the chambering....