Im looking at a ruger.

Democrats Suck

What kind of varmints are we talking about?


And yes, democrats do indeed suck!!!

SC - you answered your own question.

<----- Likes my CZ in .204 Ruger!

Coyotes

Democrats Suck

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.chuckhawks.com/savage_low_profile.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_rugerM77VT_savageM12.htm&usg=__LNL9YHmZHC6n-HSs7ezTkmXWXh8=&h=89&w=450&sz=7&hl=en&start=31&um=1&tbnid=BS_5hHGqpeEp4M:&tbnh=25&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Druger%2Bvarmint%2Brifles%2B22-250%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1

I have the Ruger in .22-250. Scary how accurate that rifle has been right out of the box. It's heavy - with the scope and bipod I added it's close to 13+ lbs, but it's a tack-driver! I included the Chuck Hawks article because Ruger and Savage are two of the better brands out there that are both affordable and make a quality product.

Now let the caliber debate rage....

I love my 10/22

My vote would be for the 22-250 or 6mm.

6mm seems like a pretty big (and expensive) varmit round. I'm a fan of the Ruger 204, but the 22-250 is a great round. Don't see how you could go wrong with either of those.

The question is too vague.

Please narrow your application down:

1) How long a range are you planning to shoot? How long a range are you experienced shooting?

2) Are you keeping pelts?

3) Is recoil an issue for you?

4) Is ammo price an issue for you?

5) Do you reload?

6) How much are you planning to spend on a rifle and scope (glass price is related to range)?

7) Yotes only or do you plan to hunt smaller stuff like prairie dogs?

8) Bolt action or semi-auto preferred?

Answer those questions, and you'll get some good advice.

.22-250

my uncle loves his .220 swift

i would consider either a

204
220 swift
22-250
223

up to a 243 or 25-06

i am a fan of the Remington 700 sps varmint in .204 with the 26 in bull barrel but almost gun or caliber will


like the above posters said i would consider my application. do i want a bench style varmint rifle or something portable


also look at a rock river predator pursuit with the 16 in stainless bull barrel and m4 collapsible stock

there are so many good reasons to get a AR styles gun right now.


my BIL has one with a gen 3 NV scope on it and it is very good at what it does

Dont care about pelts, 300 yard + shots, ammo price is a factor but not a major issue, bolt action, no reload, ziess optics

Democrats Suck

[This message has been edited by birddogman (edited 3/19/2009 11:29p).]

Back when I shot coyotes, I used a .223 (Remington-work) and .243 (Savage-personal). Both worked really well, and I general shoot regular ole Remington rounds. Both worked alright for long range (though when calling my shotgun probably got as much action). Back in November I picked up a new Rossi break action bull barrel .22-250. Other than the cost of ammo, it is quickly becoming my favorite rifle. I doubt I'll ever shoot a coyote with it, but it knocks the snot out of pigs pretty good. I know it would make a fine coyote rifle.

I reload for every caliber I have, so with the 6mm I shoot, ammo is cheaper than the 22-250 or .223 ammo you can buy, for varmint hunting.

55gr and 60gr. bullets out of the 6mm can be pushed much faster and flatter than the other two above using the same weight bullets. More pink mist!

BTW, the rifle is a Remington 700VLS.

[This message has been edited by Doc Hayworth (edited 3/20/2009 6:39a).]

If you're looking at the Ruger .204, try stepping up to the Rem .22-250 and look at using the Hornady 40 grain moly. More speed. More energy. Reach out and touch someone. Quickly.

sunchaser, a .308 for varmint shooting? BTW, bad ass gun. I want it!

I'd recommend a Remington, Savage, or CZ in either .204, 220 Swift, 22-250, or 6mm if you want more bullet that could double for deer. Zeiss Conquest scope. All of those are capable of 500+ yard shots, the .204 with 39 or 40 gr. bullets.

Maroon......There are varmits and there are VARMITS.

I wouldn't say it's the best, but some friends and I had a heck of a good time shooting varmints with my Colt M4 and a buddy's SKS a few weekends ago. I was just begging for a coyote to show up, but we never saw one.

Nothing wrong with a ruger birddogman. Anything from a .243 to a 22-250 or .220 swift makes a good varmit gun. One with a "bull Barrel" makes an even better varmit gun. Both of these were killed at night with a 22-250. Both were over 300 yd. shots

Sunchaser - if you need some help with those VARMINTS, I'm perfectly willing to volunteer my services.

The good ole .223 is probably fine under 250 yards. Over that, I'd want something faster and flatter, like a .22-250.

As for what rifle? There are so many good choices.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 3/20/2009 9:09a).]

Out of the .204, 22-250, and 6mm. The .204 will be the flattest. The 22-250 will have a little more energy. The 6mm will have the most drop, but a lot more pop than the other two.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=PRA204B*PRA2250RB*R6MM4

quote:

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The 6mm will have the most drop, but a lot more pop than the other two.

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That is comparing a bullet twice as heavy. You can put a 40 grain in that 6mm and a lot of things change.

I know the 60grs I shoot out of my 6mm are flatter than the 22-250 is capable of pushing a 55gr. bullet.

And 55's are even better.

Both are very good rounds, but the 22-250 IMO can't touch the 6mm for same wieght bullets.

If recoil isn't an issue. 30-378 Weatherby or a 7.82 Laz Warbird are probably the best varmint rounds alive. Hell, the .338 Lapua would do a nice job.

If you want the BEST, don't skimp!

Sorry, I had to...

quote:

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The good ole .223 is probably fine under 250 yards. Over that, I'd want something faster and flatter, like a .22-250.

---

While I agree the 22-250 outpaces the .223 by a large margin(and is one of my favorite cartridges), .223 will go well beyond 250 yards for coyote size and smaller animals

I agree, but is the drop and windage at 300-400 yards pretty easy to manage? I know it still has considerable energy at those distances.

Each of the calibers listed in this thread are excellent.

Each has it's specific use and limitations including effective range. As long as you know the limitations of what you are using, you can humanely take just about what every you are hunting.

matter of fact, I enjoy shooting all three of the listed rounds here.

If everyone shot the same caliber and all guns were the same, we would have nothing to argue about.

Mouth,
As long as you "know" the specific load you are using, it is. I chronograph a certain loading in strings of 10 shots, and I don't limit it to 1 string. After getting the raw data, I enter it in my Sierra Infinity Suite program and it will tell you whatever you want to know at any distance. I recently downloaded the Ballistic FTE program on my Ipod touch and it works extremely well also as I can take it to the range or in the field with me.

Does the Infinity program work with Vista?

I've been thinking about getting it, but haven't pulled the plug, yet.