VG got me to thinking about what are the top 5 varminting cartridges that have ever been devised.

here is my list

1)22lr
2)223 rem
3)204 ruger
4)22-250
5)17 hmr

.22 LR
.223
.220 swift
22-250
.222

quote:

Originally posted by JR:
.22 LR
.223
.220 swift
22-250
.222

Yep

220 Swift
22-250
22 Hornet
219 Donaldson Wasp
222

1) .220 Swift
2) .22 LR
3) .22/250
4) .243/6mm
5) .223

Don't think there's much wrong with the above, but I have to view it in historical context, and the influence cartridges in the past have had. As an example, I don't think the .17 HMR has been around long enough to be considered, though that does not detract from its utility. So, without priority in order, here I go...

.22 Hornet, which led to the K-Hornet, one of the first wildcats.
.219 Zipper, which made excursions into the world of velocity that opened eyes.
.250-3000 Savage, which led to the .22-250.
.220 Swift, which opened a lot of eyes, and a lot of varmints a long way off.
.222 Rem., that made varminting practical for the average Joe, and provided above average accuracy.

JMO

I'll take a stab at it
.222
.223
.22-250
.243
.257 Rob

22lr
22 K Hornet
223
220 swift AI
25 STW

Thi is tough as when I'm off on a typical poodle shoot I usuaslly have at least 20 rifles with me so some can cool and I have some for all the ranges you can encounter (5 feet to over 2000 yds) My record is 1750 plus paced with 2 sighters.

The above 5 are ones I would not want to do with out bu tin truth there are many more.

222
22PPC
6mmppc
6mm rem
22-250
17hmr
17 rem
204
20 tac
257 roberts
25-06
7mm stw
30-378
50 bmg
and a host in between

Here's another opinion:
.22 Hornet
.222 Remington
.22-250 Remington
.243 Winchester
.223 Remington (or .222 Rem Mag, same ballistics)

LLS

1. .22 LR
2. .22 Hornet
3. .222 Remington
4. 22-250 Remington
5. 25-06 Remington

I think VD got it.VD? roger

ok I think the 222 is out, the 223 is a slightly better performer, more popular, and cheaper ammo

[quote]ok I think the 222 is out, the 223 is a slightly better performer, more popular, and cheaper ammo

Agreed

But I would drop the Rimfires

IMO

Here is what i think:

1..22-250
2. .223
3. .220 Swift
4. .222
5. .22 Hornet
Foget the .204, I had one and was disapointed with it and sold it. Not saying they are bad, infact they are deadly for long range rabbits ect, but when it comes to coyotes, forget it. Not enough ammo selection in my opinion.
Now this is just my experience with this cartdrige, im sure folks have shot plenty of yotes with this caliber.

#1 25-06 in a heavy barreled big gun with lots of glass
#2 22-250 or 220 swift same as above
#3 338 lapua for those 1500 yard yotes
#4 22 LR
#5 17 HRM for waxing crows.

I like the .22 LR in a long barreled Woodsman. I have shot more stuff with that than any combo.

After that I like the Swift and 243 and remember to make up some reduced loads for each to keep the noise down.

There are plenty of other good ones.

My ancient stab at the answer.

22 LR
22 Hornet
219 Donaldson Wasp
22-250
222 Rem

Of course this is from my likings, not necessarily true.

Don
Edit to add: The 257 Roberts could make my list easily.

I gotta agree that "of all time" throws out the 204 and 17 HMR even though the next generation may include them.

Assuming "of all time" and you classify buffalo as varmint hunting (who said size counts?) I would add the 45-70, 22-250 (even though I'm a Swift guy), 222, 22 Hornet, and 243.

22 Hornet
222
220 Swift
243
257 Roberts

223
22-250
221 Fireball
22lr
17 Remington

Of al time, maybe not, but then again, if your hardcore on the predator masters forums...then you know what the most popular and favorable for the majority of preds out there

If "top five" means has seen the most use expressly for varmints, then I would say

1. .22 LR
2. .22 Hornet
3. .222
4. .223
5. .410 shotgun (you can't believe how many farmers and ranchers over the years have kept a .410 on the back porch for skunks, coons, and rattlesnakes)

As an Englishman, I do not enjoy the same freedoms as you lucky Americans when it comes to the ownership and use of firearms.

Therefore my list is as follows:

.17 Rem
.22LR

I dream of owning a .220 Swift one fine day.

My first five choices would be:

1.] .22 lr
2.] .22 Hornet
3.] .222 Remington
4.] .22-250 Remington
5.] .243 Winchester

But for honorable mention I would go with;

6.] .223 Remington
7.] .220 Swift
8.] .257 Roberts.
9.] .25-06 Remington
10.] .22 WMR

Lawdog

22Lr 22WRM 22Hornet 223Rem 22-250 I noticed no one chose 223Wssm? Popular Huh

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I'll take a stab at it
.222
.223
.22-250
.243
.257 Rob

close.....

the 6 mm Remington needs to go in there somewhere... on a long action... it is a different animal than a 243 then.. If on a short action, the 243 is fine....

cheers
seafire

22 LR definitely
222
223
22-250
243/6mm

Seafire B17G: I retort in kind. From the wonderful and timeless movie "Blazing Saddles" says Slim Picken's character to his hoarde of horseback marauders when they come to the toll gate out in the middle of the prairie - "Holy shit - somebody go back to camp and get a shit load of dimes"!
I burst out laughing every time I think of a scene from that movie!
Aahh just one more while I am laughing!
Madeline Kahns character (the Teutonic Twit!) as she is frolicking with the Sheriff (Cleavon Littles character) in the dark - she exclaims "Oh my, its twue - ITS TWUE"!

Back to the list of the top five ALL AROUND Varmint cartridges of all time (in no particular order)!

#1: 22 Remington Bench Rest
#2: 6mm Remington Bench Rest
#3: 204 Ruger
#4: 22-250 Remington
#5: 17 Remington

Next five in no particular order.

#6: 17 MachIV
#7: 223 Remington
#8: 220 Swift
#9: 222 Remington Magnum
#10: 243 Winchester

Next five in no particular order.

#11: 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire
#12: 222 Remington
#13: 221 Remington Fireball
#14: 6mm PPC
#15: 6x47

Long live Varmint cartridges!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

quote:

Originally posted by Rug:
22Lr 22WRM 22Hornet 223Rem 22-250 I noticed no one chose 223Wssm? Popular Huh

They are selling very well but are to new to make the list. Mine is extremely accurate. Lawdog

Lawdog_Gary,

I dissagree on the 223, 243, and 25 WSSM bullshit. It's a good thing everyone can make small runs of rifles to test out sales ability. Thank god for CNC, you would never see this many rifles in so many different calibers in the old days.

I have never seen one in a store in Wyoming, and folks in Wyoming buy a lot of different rifles.

There are a lot of great calibers, but availablity is important to most hunters because they don't reload.

1. .22 lr
2. .17 HMR
3. .223
4. .22-250
5. .243

I tend to think they are probably the:

22lr.
22wrm
222Rem.
223
22-250Rem.

The .22Hornet and .222Rem.Mag. have also experienced fairly long periods of popularity. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
Lawdog_Gary,

I dissagree on the 223, 243, and 25 WSSM bullshit. It's a good thing everyone can make small runs of rifles to test out sales ability. Thank god for CNC, you would never see this many rifles in so many different calibers in the old days.

I have never seen one in a store in Wyoming, and folks in Wyoming buy a lot of different rifles.

I wouldn’t base what the stores in Wyoming are carrying as an example of what sales are nation wide on a particular cartridge but according to the folks at Winchester the WSSM’s are selling very well. As long as they perform as advertised(and they do) they will keep on selling. I own and shoot a number of .224 and .257 caliber rifles(big fan of the Quarter Bore) and the WSSM’s fit right in. You may not want one or even like them but many shooters are buying them. The “Short-Fats†are gaining in popularity so they are here to stay. Lawdog

Maybe some explanation would help

22 LR: cheapest and myriads of fine guns are available with incredible accuracy. For me it is especially important that the subsonic ammo is quiet since I shoot coyotes around my horse ranch. It is a cold killer of coyotes up to about 75 yards after which the slow stuff drops off rapidly and drop can cause misses. Great all day all family cartridge.

222 Rem: Nearly deposed by the 223, but still the most accurate round around. It is a must for the list.

223 Rem/5.56 mm: The current hands down champion for centerfire 22. Ammo abundant, cheap, and accurate. Available in more guns (and more KINDS of guns) than anything else.

22-250: A fine longer range 22 cal and legal in some states for deer. Superb round.

243/6mm: For the long range shots, mild wind bucking, crossover cartridge for deer and even elk. They are accurate and mild enough for all day shooting. The are an all family gun. I personally use larger for elk but several friends have switched to the 243 for elk. They have about 35 between them with no losses. They are all EXCELLENT shots.

Ammo for all of these are available everywhere.

If I were to add another, it would be the Swift.

I must be the only guy on the planet that likes the 225 Win. I know, I know, it flopped. But mine sure works well!

long shots, when its a bit windy..

378 WBY Mag !

I tend to burn a bit more powder than my 22-250 though !!

LOL

Big fan of my old Rem 788 in .22-250. Driveing TACKS @ 250-350 yards. Five rounds @ 200 yrds fitting under a dime w/o seeing paper cut! I think they call that STACKING!!! Oh and BaldMummy, that BIG BANG that you like so much sounds alot like M O N E Y waisted! just kidding ( i love it too )

.22 LR
.223 Rem
.220 Swift
6mm Rem
.257 Wby

quote:

Originally posted by BaldMummy:
long shots, when its a bit windy..

378 WBY Mag !

I tend to burn a bit more powder than my 22-250 though !!

LOL

Yer day goin' kind of slow fer ya?? This thread is from 2005!!

Hey guys, I think VD left one out:


The .243 Vapodog


This has to be in the Top 5