Varmint Rifle?
03-07-2007, 12:51 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
Varmint Rifle?
Ok, I have changed gears here on my next rifle purchase. I was looking for a varmint/plinker/youth deer rifle and dont think there is one perfect gun, so I will add a .243 to my .270 for my daughter to hunt with.
I am now looking for just varmint / target rifle. I will use it to crush woodchucks and crows etc and she will learn to shoot with it.
I like the idea of beaing able to see the bullet hit the woodchuck through the scope, is this realistic with a 22-250 or should I go smaller?
Shooting out to 400 yards would probably never happen but not sure that a 17 rimfire would be enough. Also in my state any centerfire rifle can be used for deer, so even a .223 could be an emergency deer rifle.
What calibers do you suggest I get.
I am now looking for just varmint / target rifle. I will use it to crush woodchucks and crows etc and she will learn to shoot with it.
I like the idea of beaing able to see the bullet hit the woodchuck through the scope, is this realistic with a 22-250 or should I go smaller?
Shooting out to 400 yards would probably never happen but not sure that a 17 rimfire would be enough. Also in my state any centerfire rifle can be used for deer, so even a .223 could be an emergency deer rifle.
What calibers do you suggest I get.
03-07-2007, 01:55 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
RE: Varmint Rifle?
I own a Rem 7600 in .270 my deer rifle, NW Pennsylvania is my state.
This gun will be for me, but for my kids to learn to shoot. I would hunt deer with a .223 or 22-250 in a pinch only because I am a bowhunter and know in detail about shot placement and when to pass. I would not expect my daughter to be able to pass on her first buck if a sholder shot was presented. This is why she will hunt with a 243, but I am not sold on that gun for varmints, not saying its a bad choice, just not the best, most fun choice.
This gun will be for me, but for my kids to learn to shoot. I would hunt deer with a .223 or 22-250 in a pinch only because I am a bowhunter and know in detail about shot placement and when to pass. I would not expect my daughter to be able to pass on her first buck if a sholder shot was presented. This is why she will hunt with a 243, but I am not sold on that gun for varmints, not saying its a bad choice, just not the best, most fun choice.
03-07-2007, 02:40 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
RE: Varmint Rifle?
I bought a 22-250 in the early 70s...eastern NC had a crazy law that made .22 centerfires the largest a hunter could use...I killed a few dozen deer with the Remington 55 gr varmit bullets...Many of these were killed over peanut fields on our farms in the summer for population control, I did kill a nice 10 pointer over a cut corn field with this gun, I don't remember shooting over 150 yards and most shots were quartering to me, I would hit them where the neck joins the body or with a broadside lung shot...Even though I got by with it I don't recommend a 22-250 with the fragile bullets for deer...I went to a .243 in 1980 and have killed about 150 deer with it...
About 3 years ago my youngest brother acquired a 22-250 on trade, his daugher (who turns 16 on Friday) has used for 3 years...She has killed several deer with this gun using the Federal Premium 60gr Nosler Partitions...I have cleaned 3 of those deer...All were does, about 80-90 pounds, she hit all 3 in the shoulder and each one dropped...The Partitions left a hole about the size of a quarter on the off side...Now she is a country girl and has shot my brothers Ruger .22 and his Savage .17 for years, most girls can be taught to shoot pretty easily (I have 3)...
Girls will listen, boys can be a little hard headed...With girls its not a mocho thing, they can relax and make the shot and thats the most important issue when it comes to accurate shooting...
My brother also has a .17...Forget 400 yards with that one, 150 is about max, so far as it killing groundhogs...
It sounds like you are leaning to a .243 for deer for your daughter, I'd start with that, make sure she uses hearing protection and see how she does...She might surprise you...If you are looking for a 3rd gun for groundhogs I'd consider a .223, the thing about a 22-250, they are loud, as loud as a .243, even with hearing protection she will feel the concussion...
As far as varmits with a .243, I use mine for crows, groundhogs, coyotes, etc...With a 85gr Federal Premium Sierra HPBT you can sight in 2 1/2 high at 100 yards, and you are only about 2 1/2 to 3 inches low at 300 yards...Its hard enough for deer, so you need to watch your backstop, but it also does a number on varmits...Its a good all round bullet for deer and varmits....
About 3 years ago my youngest brother acquired a 22-250 on trade, his daugher (who turns 16 on Friday) has used for 3 years...She has killed several deer with this gun using the Federal Premium 60gr Nosler Partitions...I have cleaned 3 of those deer...All were does, about 80-90 pounds, she hit all 3 in the shoulder and each one dropped...The Partitions left a hole about the size of a quarter on the off side...Now she is a country girl and has shot my brothers Ruger .22 and his Savage .17 for years, most girls can be taught to shoot pretty easily (I have 3)...
Girls will listen, boys can be a little hard headed...With girls its not a mocho thing, they can relax and make the shot and thats the most important issue when it comes to accurate shooting...
My brother also has a .17...Forget 400 yards with that one, 150 is about max, so far as it killing groundhogs...
It sounds like you are leaning to a .243 for deer for your daughter, I'd start with that, make sure she uses hearing protection and see how she does...She might surprise you...If you are looking for a 3rd gun for groundhogs I'd consider a .223, the thing about a 22-250, they are loud, as loud as a .243, even with hearing protection she will feel the concussion...
As far as varmits with a .243, I use mine for crows, groundhogs, coyotes, etc...With a 85gr Federal Premium Sierra HPBT you can sight in 2 1/2 high at 100 yards, and you are only about 2 1/2 to 3 inches low at 300 yards...Its hard enough for deer, so you need to watch your backstop, but it also does a number on varmits...Its a good all round bullet for deer and varmits....
03-07-2007, 07:27 PM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 309
RE: Varmint Rifle?
Denny-
How old is your daughter? Does she shoot already? If so, what?
Learning to shoot is not difficult for kids if you teach with patience and an easy shooting rifle. My 5 yr old son shoots my .17HMR with no problem. The noise is very low, recoil is bascially non existant and its cheap!
If the rifle must be deer capable, then by all means go for the .243 Win. It can smoke any varmint with 58-75 grain varmint bullets and for deer you can go from 85-105 grains bullets. Many choices if you handload or have a friend who can. The recoil is mild and the muzzle blast/noise is not intimidating.
Just my .02 worth!
Good luck!
How old is your daughter? Does she shoot already? If so, what?
Learning to shoot is not difficult for kids if you teach with patience and an easy shooting rifle. My 5 yr old son shoots my .17HMR with no problem. The noise is very low, recoil is bascially non existant and its cheap!
If the rifle must be deer capable, then by all means go for the .243 Win. It can smoke any varmint with 58-75 grain varmint bullets and for deer you can go from 85-105 grains bullets. Many choices if you handload or have a friend who can. The recoil is mild and the muzzle blast/noise is not intimidating.
Just my .02 worth!
Good luck!
03-07-2007, 09:12 PM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 567
RE: Varmint Rifle?
+1 for .243. If you reload you can get 22-250 velocity out of a .243 with 55 or 60 bullets. Or pick up a couple boxes Winchester 55 gr ballistic tips. I like 70 gr speer at about 3400 fps out of my .243. Although they make a mess out of pelts. 100 gr sierra gamekings at 2970 fps for deer.
03-07-2007, 11:12 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2003
Location:
Posts: 920
RE: Varmint Rifle?
I am now looking forjustvarmint /target rifle. I will use it to crush woodchucks and crows etc and she will learn to shoot with it.
I like the idea of beaing able to see the bullet hit the woodchuck through the scope, is this realistic with a 22-250 or should I go smaller?
I like the idea of beaing able to see the bullet hit the woodchuck through the scope, is this realistic with a 22-250 or should I go smaller?
With the parameters you have laid out ie.. varmint/target I would opt for the 223 Rem. It has relatively low recoil, practice/cheap ammo is abundant and it's a easy round to master. You mentioned about the 400 yd shot not real probable so it's ok if you pass on an ocasional shot like that with a 223. Witha few 22 calcenterfires, rifle weight and gun hold is going to matter on recoil ruining the chance to see bullet impact. My gun hold,for the most part is a benchrest technique and my 8lb 223 jumps enough not to see impact while my 14 1/2 lb 220 swift I can.As for the 223 being able to take a deer in a pinch, sure it can with the right shot placement and bullet.