Varmint rifle???

scott Laird · November 3rd, 2006, 07:35 PM

What would you consider an all-around varmint gun??

My son is taking an interest in shooting coyotes, prairie dogs, etc. and I need to look at something that will get him a little bit farther out than his .22, something like a scoped .223, 22/250 or the like.

ebd10 · November 3rd, 2006, 08:05 PM

For coyotes, groundhogs, and rock chucks, I recommend a CZ 527 in .223. For prairie dogs, you'll need a heavy barrel for heat dissipation. Again I recommend a .223; low recoil and inexpensive if you don't reload.

Redneck Repairs · November 3rd, 2006, 08:12 PM

Honestly i would say for an all arround .2## cal go with a good ar platform , and a conversion kit .. cheap plinking and learning the manual of arms , and with a mid weight barrell it will shoot well further than most folks can hold , look especialy at the " flat top " uppers maby with a bolt on " luggage handle "

P95Carry · November 3rd, 2006, 08:18 PM

My varmint rifle is a Ruger 77 MkII in .223. Light rifle and plenty accurate enough - tho as a side note, my Contender in 223 is actually a tighter grouper at 100 yds!!!

Warhawk · November 3rd, 2006, 10:52 PM

223 is the only way to go if ammo cost is a consideration.

afeazell21 · November 3rd, 2006, 10:53 PM

For coyotes I would use a .220 swift.

Bud White · November 3rd, 2006, 11:08 PM

how far out is question 223 is good but i would go with 22-250

artz · November 3rd, 2006, 11:47 PM

very good recommendation on the CZ !
Now... depending on game and reach.... how about the caliber ! If you don't reload the .223 is great.
But if you do.....22-250 or even a ... .17 remington.

Tros · November 4th, 2006, 02:50 AM

If the .22 isnt quite enough the .223 will be your round of choice, imo!

jeepinjason · November 4th, 2006, 12:35 PM

I've got a Howa m1500 thumbhole varminter and I'm really pleased with it... Howa makes the actions for the remington model 700 so it's basically a remington 700.... Its a bolt action with a 5 round internal magazine... With the cheapest ammo you can buy from wal-mart, my gun shoots about 1moa..... As far as cost goes, I got mine with the stainless bullbarrel and the thumbhole stock for around $650 (msrp is $842)... If you get a blued barrel its about $110 cheaper and the non thumbhole stock will save a little money too... Heres a link to their website with all the different configurations they have for the gun, including what rounds you can get them chambered in and MSRP: http://www.legacysports.com/howa/index.htm (scroll down and click on #6, Supreme Rifles)... They have other rifles you might want to look at but I don't have any experience with them, though I'm sure they're fine... I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of their rifles, I'm really pleased with it.

November 3rd, 2006, 07:35 PM	#1
scott Laird Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 44	Varmint rifle??? What would you consider an all-around varmint gun?? My son is taking an interest in shooting coyotes, prairie dogs, etc. and I need to look at something that will get him a little bit farther out than his .22, something like a scoped .223, 22/250 or the like.

November 3rd, 2006, 08:18 PM	#4
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	My varmint rifle is a Ruger 77 MkII in .223. Light rifle and plenty accurate enough - tho as a side note, my Contender in 223 is actually a tighter grouper at 100 yds!!! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

November 3rd, 2006, 11:47 PM	#8
artz VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,115	very good recommendation on the CZ ! Now... depending on game and reach.... how about the caliber ! If you don't reload the .223 is great. But if you do.....22-250 or even a ... .17 remington. __________________ '' Lord, grant me the serenity for things that I can not change "

November 4th, 2006, 02:50 AM	#9
Tros Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salina, KS Posts: 353	If the .22 isnt quite enough the .223 will be your round of choice, imo! __________________ XD-45 w/Stainless Steel Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor EX - OC Spray Instructor EX - Restraint Instructor

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November 3rd, 2006, 08:05 PM	#2
ebd10 Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 62	For coyotes, groundhogs, and rock chucks, I recommend a CZ 527 in .223. For prairie dogs, you'll need a heavy barrel for heat dissipation. Again I recommend a .223; low recoil and inexpensive if you don't reload.

November 3rd, 2006, 08:12 PM	#3
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	Honestly i would say for an all arround .2## cal go with a good ar platform , and a conversion kit .. cheap plinking and learning the manual of arms , and with a mid weight barrell it will shoot well further than most folks can hold , look especialy at the " flat top " uppers maby with a bolt on " luggage handle "

November 3rd, 2006, 10:52 PM	#5
Warhawk Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 107	223 is the only way to go if ammo cost is a consideration.

November 3rd, 2006, 10:53 PM	#6
afeazell21 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Texas Posts: 625	For coyotes I would use a .220 swift. __________________ "Dont be afraid to go after what you want to do, and what you want to be. But don't be afraid to be willing to pay the price." - Lane Frost

November 3rd, 2006, 11:08 PM	#7
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	how far out is question 223 is good but i would go with 22-250

November 4th, 2006, 12:35 PM	#10
jeepinjason New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 9	I've got a Howa m1500 thumbhole varminter and I'm really pleased with it... Howa makes the actions for the remington model 700 so it's basically a remington 700.... Its a bolt action with a 5 round internal magazine... With the cheapest ammo you can buy from wal-mart, my gun shoots about 1moa..... As far as cost goes, I got mine with the stainless bullbarrel and the thumbhole stock for around $650 (msrp is $842)... If you get a blued barrel its about $110 cheaper and the non thumbhole stock will save a little money too... Heres a link to their website with all the different configurations they have for the gun, including what rounds you can get them chambered in and MSRP: http://www.legacysports.com/howa/index.htm (scroll down and click on #6, Supreme Rifles)... They have other rifles you might want to look at but I don't have any experience with them, though I'm sure they're fine... I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of their rifles, I'm really pleased with it.