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I rarely shoot varmints, mostly just coyotes, but I went with some friends today and really got into it. I have a 220 swift, my question is what is your opinion on the ulimate varmint gun and why.

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Depends on what varmint you are banging. I like 17s, 20s and 223s for PD size of varmints and I also use all of those for coyotes. But is I am serious about killing coyotes, I only use 223s, 22-250s and 220S guns. I use a 223 AR at times and it shines on multiple coyotes coming to a call. But most of the time, I use bolt guns.
I just packed for a coyote calling trip to Ks, and cased a 20 Vartarg custom on a Sako A1 action and a Rem 700 220 swift.
My son packed his AR.
If I could only have one varmint gun, it would be a bolt 223.


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A 270, LOL. Now I like the 22-250, speed, accuarcy it has it all. Mine is a heavy barreled M 70. What is nice about the rig is that I can see the impact when shooting 50 grain bullets. I tested 55 grainers first then 50 grainers. The 50's shot better in my rifle, and I noticed that the crosshairs did not "jump" as much.

I have used the 223's a lot as walking rifles, they are tuff to beat. I also used a M70 243 with a semi heavy barrel. It got fed 70 ballistic tips, they flatten yotes.

A good friend of mine used a 243 all the time for yotes. He said it performed better at longer ranges then a 22-250. Then he got older and started to use a Tikka in 22-250. All he uses for bullets are ones with plastic tip, no hollow points. He says hollow points are not as reliable. I figure he has been doing it for 60 plus years, so he knows.

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Originally Posted by dale06
Depends on what varmint you are banging. I like 17s, 20s and 223s for PD size of varmints and I also use all of those for coyotes. But is I am serious about killing coyotes, I only use 223s, 22-250s and 220S guns.
If I could only have one varmint gun, it would be a bolt 223.



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If you already have a sporter weight 220 Swift you are all set. If you are going to do high volume prairie dog shooting a heavy barrel 223 will let you see the bullet impact through the scope and it won't heat the barrel as fast.


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Originally Posted by mygirlhunts
my question is what is your opinion on the ulimate varmint gun and why.


To me the ultimate varmint gun is determined by what varmint and what the condition's are.

A few years ago we went to help out a rancher that was over-run with prairie dogs, it was 95 degree's outside and even shooting my triple deuce the barrel was hot in 5 shot's. the ultimate gun that day was the 17HMR as we shot at least 10 times the dog's we would have with any center fire.

On the other end of the spectrum me and my nephew were shooting rockchucks at 2100yard's and on that day my 338 LapuaAI was the ultimate varmint gun.

So to me the ultimate varmint gun is at a minimum 10 different varmint gun's.
hope this help's wink

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It depends if you are a varmint hunter or a varmint shooter. Two different disciplines.


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Perzactly. I have an itty bitty riihimaki 222 for walking/calling and a 15lb wide flat forend pure bench gun in 223 for sitting and shooting from a bench. Right now missing a true looooonnngggg range rodentbuster, when funds allow will build a big, heavy fast twist 224TTH. My newly aquired lightweight 6mmAI might be accurate enough to fill in during the interim, have yet to shoot it and see.


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What prairie dog shooter said...with the Swift for coyotes, you could use the .223 for small high volumn shooting..then the next step would be a .25-06 or above for long range coyotes..


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I used to shoot high-volume varmints (prairie dogs and gophers) exclusively with a .22-250 Rem or .22-250 AI. Over the years I found that I did not need to burn 35 to 45 grains of powder on every shot to kill a small rodent. I found that even a .223 or .204 is usually a bit much. Barrels heat up and you either have to put down the rifle for a time or you have to rotate to another rifle or two so that you can keep shooting. I probably use my K-Hornets the most. Next comes the 20 VarTarg. The results of the hits are not as spectacular with the smaller rifles (though the VarTarg shoots a 32-grain at 3850 fps), but the enjoyment factor is still high, plus I do not replace barrels every other season, either. Save the Swift for coyotes.


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Varmint Looney, what IS the ugly creature in your Avatar? Been meaning to ask for a while now. THANKS!


LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.

About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
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i love my 204 with 39 gr sierra blitzkings with rl 10x 25.5 gr. i just hate that my savage is so heavy.its a bgtvss thumbhole laminate stock

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Mygirlhunts: I have Hunted most all the Varmints available in all the western states (including North and South Dakota) and if I were to have to pick ONE Varmint Gun to do everything (from Ground Squirrels to Coyotes) I know the caliber would be the wonderful 204 Ruger!
This caliber simply has outstanding ballistic performance and lethality along with noteworthy accuracy.
The 204 Ruger cartridge does everything I need done and does so without excessive recoil (spot my own shots!) and without excessive barrel heating (for ease of Hunting all types of Colony Varmints)!
The caliber choice was easy - the Rifles format is more difficult to attain, "ultimate", status.
I would be hard pressed to find a more "universal" Rifle though than the plain Jane Remington 700 SPS Varmint!
This Rifle is moderately priced and comes with an easily adjustable trigger - the stock fits me moderately well and is about bullet proof in itself.
These Rifles are accurate and have served me well for several years now, without showing any wear or change in abilities or point of bullet impact!
I use my Varminters constantly and 24/7 use is the norm.
The dual front sling swivels of the SPS Varmint is a nice and useful touch, in this again, very modestly priced Rifle.
With this Rifle the North American Varminter would be well served and pleased no matter what manner of Varmint he is after.
At 8 1/2 pounds (even with the heavy 26" barrel) this Rifle is easily carried and yet has enough barrel mass to provide a steady sight picture in the field.
Yep... IF (Heaven forbid), I was to have to pick a single "Varmint gun" for the huge variety of Varmints I Hunt it would be the simple and satisfying Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint in 204 Ruger caliber!
To date, using my various 204 Ruger Rifles I have brought to bag the following types of Varmints: Ground Squirrel, Weasel, Cottontail Rabbits, Prairie Dogs, Skunks, feral cats, Rock Chucks, Jack Rabbits, Raccoons, Fox, Porcupine, Coyotes, Badgers and several varieties of winged nest robbing Varmint birds!
I am happy you are enjoying your new "expanded" sport - year round fun is in your future.
Hold into the wind
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I've built and owned .17 Hornet, .22 LR and Mag, .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball,.222, .222 magnum, .223, .22-250, and up. I've sold ALL the centerfires except the Fireball. I shoot to 400 yards with confidence, although it lacks power on coyotes at that range. To 200 yards, it's 1" deadly. Beyond, it's arc reminds me of shooting a .22 as a kid, so is "instinctive", plus my Hakko scope has a circle in it that is exactly dead on at 400 yards. I can shoot 100 rounds without getting the barrel hot. If anything it's under powered, but my gosh is it fun to shoot.


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I ran a M70 Win Coyote lite in 22-250 (custom 22" medium contour barrel) for several years and loved it, but since I have switched over the rifle below.
More user friendly, side sling allows for more comfortable and universal carry, naturally the compact package is nice.
I run a 3.5-10x40 TMR Leupold and push HSM 50gr V Max out.
When the coyotes and bobcats get tougher at 300yrds plus I will go back to a bolt 22-250 or 243 but the 50gr V Max does the job well.
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Originally Posted by VarmintGuy
Mygirlhunts: To date, using my various 204 Ruger Rifles I have brought to bag the following types of Varmints: Ground Squirrel, Weasel, Cottontail Rabbits, Prairie Dogs, Skunks, feral cats, Rock Chucks, Jack Rabbits, Raccoons, Fox, Porcupine, Coyotes, Badgers and several varieties of winged nest robbing Varmint birds!VarmintGuy


You left off lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant.


My g8-g8 uncle was Barney Riggs. Google and read about him. He roamed around the southwest, mainly west Tx and Az and NM territory. History credits him with from 9 - 12 men he killed, not counting Mexicans and Indians. Family lore has it at 18.
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I had a remington varmit rifle in 22-250 26 inch heavy that shot
many groundhogs at 300to500 yds I used 41 gr of varget and
a 35gr NTX hornady with a cci br#2 vol across the croney was 4448fps never had a exit wound stoped them cold but I would have to say is my 6mm-06 with a 1in12 twist 55gr combined tech over
55gr varget will stop anything varmit class vol 4200 also with
br#2 primer


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I hunt p-dogs, foxes and coyotes. I use two rifles depending upon conditions. My 25-06 with 75g VMax at 3750 or 85g Nolser BTs at 3600 are for conditions where long shots will be necessary. It takes varmints from 300-600 yards and beyond much better than a 22-250 and coyotes drop dead at those ranges rather than dragging off crippled.

If I am anticipating multiple varmints in a group or shooting them on the run within 300 yards, I use a .223 Bushmaster Varminter. It is not as sporting but with almost no recoil, you stay on target and shoot til they are all down. A 50g VMax is hard to beat at 3450.

If I had a fast twist in a 22-250 so I could shoot 75g bullets, that would be a good choice too. The .243 with 58g VMax is deadly and a great choice if need to target a deer occasionally too.

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If that includes longer shots and/or large predators, 223AI 75Amax will do all. If you're talkin chucks, P-dogs and such, at reasonable ranges, then the K-hornet with 40Vmax is a winner.

Get too serious about pushing the range limits, 6mms or 6.5s are in order. My vote is 243AI-105Amax or Berger VLDs, it makes a good gun for deer sized stuff too.


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223 50grain horandy= out couple hundred
22-250 53grain sierra= out to 350
243 115 grain berger=LONG SHOOTING




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