338, I have experienced the same dilemma - yes, a 223, or 22/250 will knock over a deer, pig, goat, whatever, but you'd better be a bloody good shot! In my opinion, I'd go with a 22 or 22mag for the little fellers (223 - 22/250 has the advantage of skinning/gutting and making mince out of rabbits - can save considerable time in prep for cooking!). I have a Stirling in 22 mag that works OK, but if you can afford it, go with CZ or similar quality! For the larger stuff, a 243, 25-06 or 270 will be OK, although I doubt your neighbours will appreciate the noise, unless you're erdicating pests for them!! I would have thought that 40 acres wouldn't be enough to get a high powered permit? Learn something new every day!!

Don't know where I got 7mm from, you are correct it is .270.

OK if no deer:
If you want a centrefire for varmit less than 300m get a 223 or if you want to reload and have some money a 22PPC

If you like long range rabbit hunting then the 22/250 is a great round. I have a rem 700vssf in this calibre and so do 2 of my friends. All shoot great with win supreme 50 gr sbt's we all have leupold 6.5-20x40's on top.

Of course I am NOT from down under and have not even been lucky enough to visit BUT,
How about any of the calibers listed with cast bullet loads for the little guys and condum bullet for the bigger thins on out.
Lots of time it is possible to get the little lead pill to be close to same point of impact for limited distances. We aren't talking bench rest accuracy here. The little lead pills wil zing off sometimes which might not be good with only 40 acres to keep themo out of the neighbors. 35-45 grain pills for little stuff that will fly apart on impact and up to 60 grain for the deer?
Just some thoughts!
LouisB

Ok now I'm not sure what I'm doing, the rifle is to be registered on my Dad's license but he's said he's not really into shooting on our property. Hence most of my shooting is now at the SSAA's range and it would be cool to compete, if I'm target shooting I might as well go with a .308, for a heap of reasons. I'm still looking at the same rifle, Remington 700 VS (non fluted)just a different calibre. I'll just go with the plan I had earlier, One rifle now, one when I'm 18 and have both rifles put on my license (when I get it). Now itll be .308 first varminter, second not the other way round. Anyway I appreciate the answers.

Probably not the answer your looking for but for rabbits and foxes, a 22LR is fine.

As a first rifle you will get far more use and fun out of it than either the other rifles you shoot. I would get a used one asap as they are dirt cheap secondhand and take a hell of a lot of use before they are shot out....I am not sure if they are legal in Oz but if they are go for a moderator and use sub sonic ammo; its a deadly combo on bunnies out to 75 yards or so.

Regards and best wishes for Christmas,

Pete