If you want a smallbore for varmints, consider instead one of the Miroku 1885 Low Walls, either an older Browning or one of the newer Winchesters. The name on the rifle varies, as does the quality of the wood, but they seem to be consistantly accurate, and the Low Walls are a bit lighter than typical Rugers. I bought a .22 Hornet about 2000 and it’s still here and ain’t going anywhere until I do. .223s are pretty common, .243s less so but out there, along with a very few .22/250s I believe.
Worth a look.
