Varmint caliber?

[Riposte1]

I don’t live out West (have been there and would love to live there), so this is merely discussion not advice.

My experience with varmints is limited to woodchucks, fox, raccoons, 'possums, coyotes and a few feral dogs. Ranges have run from short to "way out there".

Being a hopeless gadgeteer, I tried a lot of guns, scopes and methods. I cannot really imagine doing it all with one gun unless I limited my hunting style.

I guess the two best long range cartridges I hit upon were the .264 Winchester Magnum and the 6.5/06 (my longest first shot hit on a woodchuck was made with the 6.5/06 - I don’t count the ones that took ranging shots).

But probably the best 300-500 yard setup I had was a Ruger #1 in .243 with a Weaver T-10 (had I to do it over it would have been a T-16) and an optical rangefinder (lasers weren’t commercially available then). This particular rifle is odd and uses handloads no other .243 I have found will digest (an 87gr Hornady BTHP clocked at 3450 fps - 26" barrel).

Long range is fine but I would not be without a light stalking rifle. The last few years that I hunted them much seriously I enjoyed taking out others who had not hunted as much and I took an old Winchester 43 in .22 Hornet. That was incredible fun.

At the minimum, I think I would get a "long" gun (.243, 25-06, etc) and a gun that made less noise and was perhaps lighter and handier in .22 Hornet, .218 Bee (which seems to be making a comeback), .222, .223 or .22/250. I am sure the .17 Rem and .204 Rug. would be fine, just don’t have experience with them.

The "long" gun need not be really heavy, light barrels can shoot too, but if you shoot them a lot in a short space of time then heavier barrels are a plus. Normally we only took a shot here once every 30 minutes or so (though I did manage 3 in a few seconds once with the .264 - thought it was the same chuck and was surprised to find 3 dead).

Sorry to go so long, great topic. I am really keen to see what some of the experienced Western residents suggest.

Happy Trails!
Riposte