What calibres is everybody using for varminting? Im wondering which is better for versatility to the reloader : .223 or .22-250 I'm going for a first rifle and I live on 40 acres of hobby farm with plenty of rabbits, foxes and occasionally (fallow) deer and pigs plus heaps of goats. Just to not confuse you I'm not going for a specialised pig or deer rifle, (.243 or something) just one that might get the chance to kill one or two a year but not something that will blow rabbits and foxes away the rest of the time. Any suggestions?

I have a 22-250AI built on a VZ24 action. It was my first custom rifle, but it doesn't get much use up here, in fact the barrel isn't even broken in. If you want versatility, have a look at a 25/06. It'll kill deer up to Red with the right bullet and can be loaded with light bullets for rabits and foxes.

I use a .222 and it works fine. A .22/250 is no good at all if you want to have any usuable meat or skins, but if you want to blow them up, probably the best choice.

NitroX what distance do you reckon is the minimum a .222 will shoot a rabbit without blowing it apart? I'd rather buy a .22-250 and load it like a .222, the rifle I'm looking for has to have versatility Thanks for the answers. Bakes, the problem I have with the .25-06 is the bullet size is a big difference whereas all the difference .224's are is velocity, you can make a .220 swift shoot like a .22 Hornet but you can't do much to bullet size. Its just the rabbits are mostly going to be over short range, yet it would be good to try and take occasional shots at longer range. And know the options are there when you need them

Also what barrel life are you getting out of the .222 and .22-250

My humble advice would be .223,if you want a centrefire.
Cheap cases and cheap loaded ammo available anywhere.

Or....a .17HMR rimfire,17gn@2600fps and no reloading.
I just paid $440 at Cleavers for a Savage S/S Synthetic with the pencil barrel,put a Tasco 6-24x42AO on for $190.(6lbs)
I will be picking it up tomorrow permit came today.(7 days)
A mate has a Marlin 17V and loves it,blows the heads off rabbits.Flat shooter and 1/2"groups at 50m.
Food for thought......

338 LAPUA
what state are you in? Min for fallow in vic is 7mm.
I once saw a hog deer shot with a 224 weatherby, and personally think this is inadequate, sure if the bullet placement is perfect any .224 cal with 222rem plus velocities will work. something like a 7mm with the right bullet will give a slightly greater margin for error.
no one cartridge will be ideal for both varmint and deer hunting.
I think a 7mm-08 would be best compromise for both fallow and varmint work.
Having said all that the 222rem was very popular with the professional deer cullers in NZ.

40 acres!!

Shit, here in WA you'd be lucky if the cops would let you have or use a .22 rimfire!! And I'm not joking.

As for the rest, I'd be looking at a .223, preferably with a tight barrel twist to allow me to use heavier projectiles if needed.

What's the minimum distance?

For a .222 you really have to headshoot rabbits if you want usable meat, except for a dog. A .22/250 will potentially damage them severely way out.

.222 barrel life? The .222 is a mild calibre so I suppose 4000 rounds plus or minus. Ask the barrel manufacturer or gunsmith.

Here in NSW there is no minimum for deer and I thought the minimum in vic was .270, which is technically 7mm anyway, when a .284 is actually 7.21mm and bore diameter of .277 or 7mm confused, anyone?

Like I said Im not going to use this all the time on deer, there's too much to go wrong for that. A 7mm is a great deer killer but a really overpowered varminter. I've got a mate whos mostly into varminting. The biggest thing he owns is a .222 and they have tried it out on fallow deer, under very safe contitions and with bigger weapons on hand to finish it if need be.

A .222 will kill a fallow deer if you brain shoot it no problem. Trouble is if you miss the brain.