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.
