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04-07-2021, 06:52 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 308
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Varmint cartridge ?
For those that have experience with Varmint cartridges. What have you settle on? I tried 17hmr and 22mag.
I'd prefer a center fire to reload.
I'm hoping experienced Varmint shooters can give advice to a caliber that they found better then others.
I'll use this mostly for fun shooting. 100 meters- 300.
Thanks
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04-07-2021, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Iron River
Posts: 5,158
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204 ruger.
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04-07-2021, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Morinville
Posts: 699
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223 Remington
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04-07-2021, 07:57 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Parkland County
Posts: 993
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dweb
223 Remington
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Why?
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04-07-2021, 07:58 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Parkland County
Posts: 993
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IR_mike
204 ruger.
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Why?
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04-07-2021, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: In the woods
Posts: 8,923
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6MT
Why?
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cheap (prices have gone up)
easy on barrels
soft recoiling for smaller/new shooters
very common (was before this crazy surge in guns n ammo)
plenty of bullet options from plinking to varmints and in some places deer/antelope
easy on fur
accurate in the 100-300 range you gave
can be reloaded easily (if you find components these days)
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04-07-2021, 08:08 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Morinville
Posts: 699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fordtruckin
cheap (prices have gone up)
easy on barrels
soft recoiling for smaller/new shooters
very common (was before this crazy surge in guns n ammo)
plenty of bullet options from plinking to varmints and in some places deer/antelope
easy on fur
accurate in the 100-300 range you gave
can be reloaded easily (if you find components these days)
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Thank you guess I should have elaborated
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04-07-2021, 08:21 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 118
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204
Because they fly fast flat accurately and dont blow big holes normally
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04-07-2021, 08:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: East
Posts: 2,067
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All depends on your intended use as a varmint cartridge. Gophers 22lr, 17hmr, 22 hornet, 17 hornet, 204, 223
Coyotes204, 223, 222, 22-250 just to name a few. Also changes if you want to save fur or money on ammo
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04-07-2021, 08:50 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The best place on earth.
Posts: 1,653
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My vote would be a .223, can even be taken out to 1000m. All the other comments hit the nail on the head. Cheap and recoil friendly. Shoot all day and spend a fraction of any other calibre choice.
I also found it crazy accurate and easy to load for. I loaded 7 3 shot series to shoot when I had mine. Biggest group was 3/4” at 100 yards. Smallest was 1/4”. I shouldn’t have sold that rifle, but sold it to fund another .223 project.
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04-07-2021, 09:38 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 4,273
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If you reload the .17 hornet gets first dibs, If you have land with no buildings close by then the .204 is next. Love them both. The .222 Rem is also an excellent choice
If your in close to buildings/landowners the .17 hmr. is a great choice but I have had some land owners complain it is still to loud but I feel it is by far, a safer option then a .22 rimfire. (less ricochets).
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04-07-2021, 10:55 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ft. McMurray
Posts: 38,609
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I have used many different cartridges over the years but live the .222 Remington.
However if I did not have my Anchutz Duece I would be grabbing one of my .223's.
The.223 has the advantage of very accessible ammo , as was mentioned, and the rifles are generally very accurate .Long range bullets of 70 grains and heavier would not be my first choice for a 300 meter coyote shot but they certainly work
Cat
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04-07-2021, 11:37 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Alberta
Posts: 2,580
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Choices
Most avid varmint guys like myself have many calibers to choose from
17 fireball, 17 Hornet 20 Extreme 222, 223.
223. is argueably the most popular
222 is an under rated fantastic cartridge
204 ruger very popular
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04-08-2021, 06:43 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,246
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For ground squirrels , crows and small varmints, I like the 17 hornet, quiet for a centerfire, and the barrel doesn't heat up. For coyotes, I like the 20 calibers, like the 204R. If you don't reload, the 223rem is a great choice.
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04-08-2021, 07:46 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Here, not there
Posts: 589
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Availability
223 gets my vote, but that option to reload sure opens your doors.
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04-08-2021, 07:58 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 15,106
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I have literally tried them all. The ones I still have are 22 RF, 17 HMR, 17 FireBall, 22 Hornet and 223. The 22 Hornet is no louder than a 17 HMR and can be loaded with Trail boss to be almost silent.
Sold the 204, 17 Hornet, 218 Bee, 243, 22 BR, 20 Practical, 221 FB, and a raft of others.
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04-08-2021, 08:07 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,651
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I use a 1/8" twist 223 Rem that does everything you are asking and more. Very accurate with any bullets I have used and powder friendly. Always nice to watch impacts too! Great on coyotes to 300m or gongs to 1000m. Good luck with your decision! Keep us updated...
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04-09-2021, 04:34 AM
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: SJ, NB
Posts: 410
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A 222 would be a good old school choice if you can find one. The 223 is far easier to find rifles, ammo and brass for.
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04-09-2021, 07:09 AM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: red deer
Posts: 3,379
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22-250.
Don’t wanna inhumanely put the gopher down with a runty 223 or 204.
Plus I have one for sale gently used
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04-09-2021, 07:19 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Calgary-Kootenay Lake
Posts: 350
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223 is great varmint cartridge. My T3 shoots 0.5MOA with v-max 55gr. Got two dogs at 500+ yds with it.
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04-09-2021, 09:07 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Brooks
Posts: 2,245
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describe varmints?
I used to be a die-hard coyote hunter. Mostly touring, run and gun style on the wide open prairies here in the south.
22-250 was the best of the best at the time, and I dont think things could have changed too much! Reaches way out to 450 yard for tagging coyotes with enough energy to inflict damage and get the job done.
If you're calling them in close, or just shooting gophers, anything from the 22 WMR, 204, and .17's are fine. Wide open country puts them to the test.
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04-09-2021, 10:29 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,644
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldgutpile
I used to be a die-hard coyote hunter. Mostly touring, run and gun style on the wide open prairies here in the south.
22-250 was the best of the best at the time, and I dont think things could have changed too much! Reaches way out to 450 yard for tagging coyotes with enough energy to inflict damage and get the job done.
If you're calling them in close, or just shooting gophers, anything from the 22 WMR, 204, and .17's are fine. Wide open country puts them to the test.
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I ran a 17 rem for many years and it was a good 150 yard dog gun but man my buddies 22-250 sure was the icing on the cake.
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04-15-2021, 07:51 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Far Enough From The City, AB
Posts: 1,574
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 58thecat
I ran a 17 rem for many years and it was a good 150 yard dog gun but man my buddies 22-250 sure was the icing on the cake.
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Yup, my 22-250 is lights out on any dogs within my comfortable range and makes me smile with how efficiently it gets the job done....
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04-15-2021, 08:05 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Strathmore
Posts: 1,405
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22-250 , 37gr H4895 , 50gr Nosler ballistic Tips. Works good on the dogs.
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04-15-2021, 08:25 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 58
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For centerfire varmint rigs, I've owned and loved .222, .243, 6mm and 22.250's
My current 22.250 which is the most accurate one I've owned believe it or not is a Howa topped with a scorpion 4x16x40.Never thought I'd own a Japanese rifle, but man it is a great little gun. A bit heavy for carrying, but accurate as heck. Custom turret shooting 55 grain reloads. The rifle will outshoot my abilities on most days, but I'd hate to be a coyote within 400-500 yards as long as I'm shooting off sticks.
I have my late father's marlin in .22mag that he dearly loved and I topped it with my old Bosh & Lomb 1.75x6. Great little all round rifle for everything from grouse to coyote within 100 yards.
Michael
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04-15-2021, 10:13 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 132
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Presently have smaller calibers chambered in .22 LR, .17 HMR, .17 FB, .204 R, .223, .22 BR & .22-6mmAI. In the past I've owned a .17 MACH IV, .222 Rem Mag, .22-250 and a .243 as well.
They are all fun, but it's hard to beat the .223 for fun to shoot, economical, easy to reload rounds. I'd add that the rimfire rounds are great in that regard too, minus the need to reload.
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04-15-2021, 07:41 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Southern Alberta
Posts: 7,350
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223 Rem.
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04-15-2021, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Near Lac La Biche, Ab.
Posts: 575
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Varmint Rifle
Like others have mentioned .223 cheap to reload, easy on the barrel.....withstanding full auto, I wish!!
I had my late gunsmith build me a .220 swift, have not shot it in quite a spell, little more powder burn than the .223, but like lightning when you pull the trigger! Devestatiting on the gophers, red mist!!
And the .22RF...........pales in comparison to the above .223 / .220 swift, but just as much fun, good shooting practice!
I have a new source for a gopher patch, will have to reload some pills for the .223 / .220 swift, and find the time, and make those varmints fly!
Last edited by KUDUHNTR; 04-15-2021 at 08:06 PM.
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04-16-2021, 08:25 AM
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Lacombe, AB
Posts: 484
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17Rem
I’ve tried a lot of the ones above but my current fav is the 17Rem. Near zero recoil, easy and cheap to reload for, if you have the components nowadays. But stay with the 25gr bullets. You’ll almost never damage a coyote with this round.Great for sniping ravens out to 250+.
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04-16-2021, 09:43 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North of Cochrane
Posts: 6,690
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220 Swift
I see it didn't make the list. I've always yearned for one, I guess I'm not going to ever get one. For my money I shoot gophers with a 204 and yotes with a 243.
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