Which Varmint caliber & rifle?

[Texas Star]

While I'm thinking of it, Robert C. Ruark, the famous columnist and novelist, shot a hyena or something similar with a .220 Swift and found it lacking. The bullets blew up without enough penetration. His white hunter was not impressed!

Today, you can get tougher .22 centerfire bullets. But I really don't like the idea of shooting deer or anything bigger than coyotes with a .22 of any kind. It's legal in some states, but unless the shot is taken under ideal conditions, I think power may be lacking. Foxes and coyotes are about the humane limit, I think. You can probably hunt javelina with a centerfire .22.

 

[Joe Kent]

I have multiple varmint/target rifles in calibers from 17HMR up to the 338lapua and bigger, and would have to say that for ammo availability {non reloader} you can not go wrong with 223 or 22-250 and I would strongly recommend taking a good look at .204 Ruger. For shooting longer{again varmint} ranges . look at the 6mm/243 and perhaps some of the 6.5 rounds. A lot depends on how much you are going to shoot at a time and how much you want or are willing to spend doing it.

 

[Cdog]

I'm a fan of the .223 Rem, but once I want more speed and range I look to the 6mm/.243 calibers.

I've had excellent results with the 55 and 58 grain bullet, but a 70 - 75 grain pill is great from a .243 Winchester.

I lost my varmint shooting place, so I traded everything long range off a few years back, but if I were looking to replace it one of the Savage Hbars chambered in .243 would be one I'd consider. CD