Let's get another discussion going on what your favorite predator cartridges are and why!

I use to be real big into my medium bores, and had a short stint in the larger diameter rifles, but these varmint rifles are more economical to shoot, and have a lot of other perks of their own. I plan on adding more to my safe that are .243 or less dia!

A fast twist 223 is about as good as things get for the varmint hunter, unless it's a fast twist 22-250 Those heavy 22's cost a bunch less than 24s, 25s, & 26s and they're wicked when they arrive on target.

I am torn between my 223 and my 250AI.Its nice to have these problems HUH.

It didn't start out this way, but my Cooper Classic in 20 tactical has become my go to gun of choice. It has it all. Good looks , quick handling, great balance. Loaded with 40 gr. v-max at 3850 fps, .375" groups at 100 yds., laser flat trajectory, no recoil. It is a killer of a rifle.

GWB

Over the years I've used several different calibres for predators / varmints eg. 250-3000, 243, 222Mag., 6mm Rem. In about 93 Rem. came out with a 700 in 220 Swift, took the plunge and this is my primary predator rifle to date. With lighter bullets the accuracy is just outstanding, I have several 100 yard targets where after 5 shots you have to look really close to realize it is not just one shot, (.11) is my smallest. I must admit I did several "up-grades" to the rifle, put on a wooden, Rem. factory stock, pillar bedded same, free floated & re-crowned the barrel, installed a titianium firing pin and a 2 to 6 oz. trigger. FWIW --- John303.

Thanks for the quick responses everyone, and keep em coming! LOVE THE STORIES AND INFO!!

25 wssm. Because it is the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
25 wssm. Because it is the best.

I appreciate a fellow poster with a sense of humor!
GWB

I prefer my 223 WSSM in my Mdl 70 Stealth II, it just plain shoots good, It is loaded with 52 gr sierra Matchkings in front of 37.5 gr of IMR 4895 seated .050 off the lands.

223, high volume economic shooter..

plenty of return on your dollar investment.

1st post, long time reader...

I've got a couple Hornets, .223 lightweight, 22-250 & .220 Swift Varmint weights but I'm growing quite fond of my Ruger Hawkeye in .204

Heavy enough that if you get a good rest you can see the impact, light enough to carry it around. Other than a few minutes on the trigger it shoots tiny little groups and isn't picky. And I got a heck of a deal on it.

.243. Because it's the best!

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
223, high volume economic shooter..

plenty of return on your dollar investment.

+1 Love my .223 very few exits on Coyotes and still explosive on prairie dogs. Picked up a .204 Ruger this year and built a 6X47 this year. I hope they perform as well as my .223 has.

I shoot three rifles I consider ideal for the little stuff. A .243 WSSM, a 25 WSSM, and a .257 Wby. All three do the trick when I do my part pulling the trigger. Good shooting.

I really like my Rem 700 in 22-250, she's a tack driver and I like the fact that I can reach out to 500 yards on coyote sized targets, as I've connected on 2 at that distance to date. Some day when the barrel is shot out, I plan to rebarrel with a fast twist so I can shoot the heavier Berger bullets out to 800 and 1000 yards!

In my case the proper question would be which weapon

Blaser Bockdrilling, BD880
Instant choice of 20ga shotgun or .22 Hornet, and if you don't want to bother with those put the rifle selector on 30-06. Specifically only for varmints though, my choice would be a combination weapon 20ga over a 223, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

My go to varmint shooter is a Rem 700 VSSF original in a 22-250. However I'm really liking a Rem 700 Varmint .223 with a suppressor on it for most of the varmint action lately. There is also a Rem CDL in 243 with some 55 grain NBT that is a lark to shoot at longer distances.

Solution take all 3 out and shoot them all.

just for predator .223 rem. ammo is everywhere. and the easiest .22 cal. to reload..

It depends for me as to what I am shooting. For short range smaller things, I pull out the LVSS in 223 which is zeroed at 200 yards. If it is longer range coyotes, I have a 260 that really shoots with the Sierra 100 Varminters or 100 Matchkings.

Since I live relatively close to Sierra, I can go buy overruns and blem bullets by the pound so it is not as costly and they always have the 260 bullets available in blems. They never have any of the 45-55 grain 223 bullets, but I can live with the Midsouth bullets for that.

Since my 22-250 (Rem 700 SPS with Pentax 4.5-14) is still incomplete, I will have to say my current favorite is my Stainless Savage in 204 Ruger topped with Bushnell Elite 3200 5-15x40. It will shoot 32gr V-max bullets in under 1/3". I've killed several coyotes and never had a problem with it's ability.

I have a AR in 223 that is a shooting machine, but is a little heavy for carrying around.

I think you need to own more than just one caliber for varmints!

.17 HMR
.223 Remington
.22-250
.243 WSSM

If I had to have just one; .243 WSSM. It's the most versatile. 55 grainers for prarie dogs, 70 grainers for coyotes, 95 grainers for Mule Deer.

My buddy actually killed a cow elk with the 85 grain TSX. DRT.

If my safe would only hold one gun it would be this....

The .223 is hard to beat....but the .243 using 55 gr BTs will make you stand up and listen!

My fav is my 1964-manufactured M70 225Win. Guess I just like ugly old rifles that shoot small little groups!

my favorite is my Rem 700 VS .220 swift. though it does kick a bit much to see your hits. As far as practicality goes, I have most definitely killed most of my varmints with a ruger 10/22 and 77/22. My brother in law is now in the turtle business and when I found out what he pays for female wild caught turtles (or was when it was still legal) I could have paid my way though college with all the turtles I've wasted.

Usually I'll just grab a standard 22.250 but if there's a chance there will be some long range shooting involved I have a fast twist 22.250 and a fast twist 243 that I'm working on.

HK300 in 22 mag

one of my fav's I've shot just about everyting with it, Its got alot of heart string attached to it, my first gun that my parents bought for me, it was very expensive for them. I mounted a Zeiss 6x scope and never looked back in almost 20 years. I have used it alot!!!!

22 mag a do it all--on the cheap--


By coachsells, shot with COOLPIX S210 at 2009-01-31

Ed

257 STW

If we are calling I like the 240 Wby with 70gr B-Tips. When a dog gets hung up at 450 yards it puts the 22s to shame. When we run em with hounds it's the .223 on an AR platform. Cheep enough to hammer away until you catch up and 50 grain B-Tips are like the the ant motel...they check in but they don't check out!

22-250 with 50gr. Sierra Varminters or 55gr. Rem. PL-HP in Win. M-70 Fthrwt or M-70 Coyote at 3650 to 3750 fps.

Rem 700 in .220 swift. I love that rifles. My other favorite is the 6.5-284 this cartridge never ceases to amaze me with how flat it shoots, how hard it hits and how little it recoils considering all the above

Geedubya almost forgot, that is a beautiful rifle you have! Before I die I will own a Cooper rifle in 25-06.

I usually take my 222 remington. Rifle is a 700 varmint with 4.5-14x50 leupy scope.
Okie

I have many varmint rifles but the only one I shoot theses days is my .204 Ruger which is a Kimber 84 Varmint with a 3.5 X 10 VX-III on it.

I really believe it has heat seeking bullets...

Whatever is in my hands when the opportunity presents itself.
Because I hate to waste an opportunity.

When I'm intentionally going for predators my Ruger 77 mkII in 223 gets the nod.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:
It didn't start out this way, but my Cooper Classic in 20 tactical has become my go to gun of choice. It has it all. Good looks , quick handling, great balance. Loaded with 40 gr. v-max at 3850 fps, .375" groups at 100 yds., laser flat trajectory, no recoil. It is a killer of a rifle.

GWB

geedubya -

I noticed the rusted vehicle in the background of the spike picture - looks like my old International I drove around College Station back in the school days 30 years ago. Looks like someone touched it up since then..

Tang safety Ruger 77V in .220 Swift.

It's definitely not a pelt hunter's gun. But it reaches out with much authority and it will hit exactly where you point it.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
I think you need to own more than just one caliber for varmints!

.17 HMR
.223 Remington
.22-250
.243 WSSM

If I had to have just one; .243 WSSM. It's the most versatile. 55 grainers for prarie dogs, 70 grainers for coyotes, 95 grainers for Mule Deer.

My buddy actually killed a cow elk with the 85 grain TSX. DRT.

Amen! In my case, it would be which one of
these do I take?:

Tac 20
.22-250
.243
.25-06
7mmWSM (for a little "overkill")

R - How did that 85gr TSX work on that cow?
One guy on another board claims that the HP in
smaller calibers will not open up....that the
hole is too small, and one should use a TTSX
with anything under 30 caliber. Where was
your buddy's hit on the cow and how did the
bullet perform (other than DRT)? Did the bullet
open up OK? Just wondering....some hits like
a head shot would be DRT with a FMJ.

.221 FB

1)accurate

2)recoil negligible

3)due to above, sight picture is retained

4)sensible as to max range my abilities limit me to

5)it's cool

What... No BR carts???

I've probably shot more coyotes with an old Remington Varmint Special in 25-06 than anything else. It was my only centerfire for several years and god knows how many shots went through it.

Now I use a Remington Classic in 220 Swift. When the barrel goes, it'll get redone as a 22-250 I suspect.

I am also collecting pieces for a 6.5 STW on a Remington that will probably get pressed into service on the dogs!