A good Varmint Gun and Caliber

[Kale 19]

I'm new to this site and am looking for some suggestions as to what would be a great caliber and rifle for all around varmint use from gophers to coyoties. I am a big fan of faster calibers and have had my heart set on a 22-250 although I am apprehensive as I hear they have a tendence to burn out barrels relativley fast. I am no stranger to ballistics and hunting but have never purchased an extreme varmint caliber. The two I have my eye on so far is the Rem 700 VS SF II, and the Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA Varminter. I would like to know from people who have had experience with these two rifles which of the two is a better gun. I started reloading about one year ago and would like to reload for this new gun. Like I said I like the ballistics of the 22-250 but am worried about the life of the barrel. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Dick284]

First off your in the wrong section.

Secondly, barrel life is more a function of how it is either used and or abused.
Rapid fire with high intensity cartridges is a barrel burner no two ways about it.
As for the caliber, well for 6 guys replying expect 3or 4 diffrent recommendations .
The 22-250 is popular for a reason, as is the 204, 223, and 243.
go figure.

[catnthehat]

For Extreme" varmint hunting, barrel life should not be in the equation, because you want to be getting way out there, and to do that with wind bucking ability, you need more powder.
The .223 will do it, but the 22.250 , 220 swift, ect will do better.
However, I wuold suggest you step it up into the 6mm category, with a mide range case.

Take note, that these guns are not " fur freindly" however, and if you get a closer shot , the criter becomes very holy !

For an all aroud caliber however, my personal pick for a starter is a .223.

Cat

[Bobby B.]

For what it's worth, I'm building a 6/284 for coyotes and antelope and already have a .22 LR and .17 HMR for smaller, closer stuff.

Bobby B.

[Twisty]

I buddy of mine has the Remington in a .204. He isn't a big Remy fan but does like this gun. I have an older Ruger M77 with a normal barrel in .22-250. Also had a #1 Varmint in .220 Swift for a few years. Like the 22-250 better. I have had it for over twenty years and it still shoots as good as ever. Never worried about shooting out the barrel. But the last few years it has only seen a couple hundred rounds a year.

[AB2506]

I would decide what my primary focus for this rifle is. Lots of long distance gophers? .223. Mainly coyotes? 22-250. Consider a .204. Could be a good compromise. Coyotes and deer capable? .243. Lots of options.

My focus is coyotes, so I have a .22-250. Previously when I thought I would be shooting mainly gophers, I had heavy barreled .223.

Like Dick said, how you use a rifle has as much or more effect on the barrel life as the cartridge. Any high powder/calibre cartridge heats the barrel faster. Slow down your shooting speed and let the barrel cool adequately. Shouldn't have any problems with a .22-250.

[raised by wolves]

6MM for versatility, accuracy, and range. 80 or even 100 grain, jacketed bullets make 2 tiny holes that do not destroy the hide. With a 6MM, you can also carry it for deer and antelope. My preference is the Remington 700 VLS, but there are some other nice guns out there. Not impressed with Weatherby Vanguards, however I would not turn down a Mark 5.

[gube]

For high volume prairie poodle shooting and if you don't re-load, I would go with the 223. If you re-load I would go with the 17 fireball or the 204 ruger.
If most of your shooting is chasing yotes and you're not worried about fur, I would probably go with the 22-250, 220 swift, or the 243. If you want to save fur go with the 204.

[shirtr]

Go with the .223. Low volume cases, fast, great range, coyote pelt saver and gopher exploder. However, the 22-250 with match bullets works well on coyotes for saving the hide, but with a varmint bullet look out.
My $0.02

[aulrich]

Personal preference is 204 ruger.

What will work, all of the above, and then some, and do it well at that.

The hardest part of this process is picking between all of the right answers. I would say start with the gun first then work out which chambering.

[dougie_ boy]

the 22-250 is waht i would suggest as they are quite reliable as my dad has one and it never misfires or anything like that

[wall tent]

This is what I use for coyotes and gophers. The back one is a savage model 93r17 and is a 17hmr, works great for gophers and close up coyotes. The other one is a remington model xr100 in a 204ruger, works good for long range coyotes and gophers. I usually take both guns when coyote or gopher hunting.

[Tillers_Rule]

Originally Posted by wall tent

This is what I use for coyotes and gophers. The back one is a savage model 93r17 and is a 17hmr, works great for gophers and close up coyotes. The other one is a remington model xr100 in a 204ruger, works good for long range coyotes and gophers. I usually take both guns when coyote or gopher hunting.

Both of those guns are extremely nice! What stocks are those?

[wall tent]

[wall tent]

there the ones that came with them but looked around for what i thought was nicer looking ones. both guns shoot very well.

I have the 700vssf in 22-250 and it consistently shoots 5/8" groups with the first load that I tried.I could have done more load development and possibly done better,but I have a few lbs of imr3031 on hand that needs to be used up.

[Kale 19]

what was the load if you don't mind me asking??

[SHORTMAG]

You can get those same stocks(John Ross Thumbhole) from Boyds Gunstocks, in the US of A, however they are not made for ALL makes of guns.......You prolly have to finish them out yerself too!

what was the load if you don't mind me asking??
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50 gr v-max ahead of 34gr of imr 3031.