Is there a consensus on what the "perfect" calling/walking varmint rig might be?
No.
My perfect one for my hunting style (the biggest factor of all in this equation) is a Remington 600 in .243 with low mounted 2X7. It has been on calling stands and snowshoe hikes after coyote, bobcat, lynx, lion and wolf -- from sage flats and canyons to true rain forest and alpine tundra. I deliberately want more than a .22 bore for bloodtrailing this mix of critters on wet forest duff. My prior such rifle was a custom Mauser 6mm with long heavy barrel, a tack driver but I like to carry the compact and lighter 600 carbine.
