Varmit Rifle

[RobertN]

I agree, a varmit vs pig gun could easily be two different things, especially if you want a lightweight carry gun. I use a varmit weight Remington 700V in .308 for varmit to antelope. It is a very accurate rifle right out of the box. For deer, hog, and other, I use the lever action savage in .300 Savage, which is close to .308 equivilant. I could use the heavy barrel rifle for both, but it gets heavy to carry, and handles slow in the brush.

One thing for varmiting, is the range. A .243, 7mm-08, or .308 in a compact scoped bolt action could do an occasional 200 yard shot. I would not want to do it often. Inside 150 yards, it would work well for most targets.

An uncle had a 7mm Mauser with a 3x scope on it. It did well for a "one gun" option.

It is tought to get a one fits all, especially if you want it to carry often.

The .270 and .30-06 are excellent options. But, you're talking a long action bolt gun for those. They tend to be less compact.

When I mention 200 yards, another thing to think about is not very many people can consistently shoot at that range or beyond, especially in field conditions. it is possible on a bench at the range, but when you position shoot out in the field, it's a different story. The other thing is paractice. For the occasional shooter, even 100 yards in the field can be a challenge, even with a scope.

Now, given a larger budget, I could get some more application specific rifles, and pistols. You mentioned a .44, I used a Desert Eagle in .44 for pigs, till UPS stole it in shipping. Then a mid weight varmiter, in something interesting like 25-3000 Savage(precursor to 25-06). For a lightweight varmiter there's the .218 bee in a nice lever gun. For long range, there is the 30-338. For big stuff, there is 375H&H, or the ackley improved version. Oh man, I could go on /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DocHeb]

Re: Varmint Rifle

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Robert says: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( So there we have it. A great brush/carry rifle. )</font>

Was that the
Savage model-99 lever action in .243, or the
Savage model-99 lever action in .308, or the
Browning BLR in .243, or the
Browning BLR in the .308, or the
Remington mdl-7 in the .243, or the
Remington mdl-7 in the .308, or the
Ruger m77 in the .243, or the
Ruger m77 in the .308, or the
.300 Savage in their mdl-99? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

By now I don't even know if the .300 is correct, or is a typo for .308?

In his last three posts, Dave has offered his suggestions of guns/loads:

Pre-'64 Model 92 Winchester that had been reworked to 44 Mag or a .270.
Marlin '94
Weatherby .308
SS/Laminated Ruger #1 22-250
Winchester (pre '64 only)
Model '94 chambered in 25-35 is fast and accurate while the 38-55 ( getting popular again) is a 30-30 or 32 WS on steroids
30-06 is a great choice,
.308 is easy to get
.270 WSM would be a fine choice
.257 Weatherby
.270 Weatherby

I guess I understand now how patients feel when physicians speak in "doctor talk". All this stuff just makes me smile.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Another interesting multi purpose firearm to consider is the Thompson Center "Contender". As many of you may know it is essiently a single shot, break action frame, onto which you can mount a multitude of barrels in various lenghts upto 23" and many calibures. Years ago you used to be able to buy a stock for your pistol to make it a rifle. I see on their website that they now sell a seperate Carbine version.
Attached is a picture of my T C Contender. It is in an Armorloy finish which is no longer vailable, they now offer both blued and stainless. Mine came (private sale) with a 14" 223 barrel w/ scope, a 14" 44 Mag barrell and a 10" 45 Colt / .410 barrell.
Disadvantages might be the single shot factor and the 23" (longest availble) barrell might make reaching out to far difficult.
The rifle pictured with the Contender is my Whitworth 270 I mentioned in an earlier post.

 

[RobertN]

Re: Varmint Rifle

The .300 Savage came out before the .308; the .308 was based upon it. The .300 was introduced in 1921 to function in the Savage mdl-99 lever action. At the time, it was fairly comparable to a 30-06 with a 150gr bullet. It is slightly shorter than 308, with a shorter neck and sharper shoulder.

The second part of the list has great offerings. But, some would be for hogs, not varmits. Some are long cartridges, which defeats a smaller carry "all in one" rifle. Most all of them would work though.

It is very hard to nail down to a specific cartridge or rifle. It is more a certian type or class of rifle, and a type/class or cartridge.

Many companies make compact bolt rifles, in a short action. Like our tractors, they are pretty even on capability. Many cartridges fit in the short action medium bore family, like you can get a number of brands and models of 4' scrapers to go behind mid sized CUT's.

It is great to have so many choices. It is also a pain sometimes to have so many choices /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

Re: Varmint Rifle

LOL, DOC, its just like there being several medications that all essentially do the same thing, you know like those indoor/outdoor allergy medications we see the commercials about /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif All theese are good calibers but the caliber is only a fraction of the equation, so it boils down to personal preference at this point. There is the .30 caliber and up camp and the .270 series, and the .25 etc. Bigger issues to me are how much do you want to spend totall, Does that budget include a scope, The topography that it will be used on, how often will it be used, Shooters experience, Range to average shot. WOW, now you have some variables. If you are no longer a young buck and plan on humping up and down Foothills 700" in elevation a few times a day weight becomes a real issue real quick. Robert mentioned one of my favorites, a Winchester '92 in .218 bee. The model '65 is waaay too valuable to hunt with now but for Michigan varmits its a great gun, fast, light etc. Now if were talking Prarie Dogs in New Mexico, 200-300 yard shots we need fast flat like the 22-250 - 308 etc. Brush pigs require a big chunk of lead which essentially eliminates all of the fast flat calibers and brings up those like the 44 mag. I agree with Robert on all points but I would add thats why the new .270 WSM would be on my list, Its a short action just like the .308. While guns that are labeled specifically as " Varmiters" are typically a few more $$$ you get a lot of upgrades for your money and greatly increased accuracy. Many of theese have cryrogenically treated barrels, Match grade barrels, jewled actions, tuned triggers, Very close tolerances between the action and the barrel, custom stocks. Any one of theese things alone if purchased singularly later on can be more $ than the entire package or "upgrade" to a varmiter when you buy the rifle. On the less costly Side a Thompson encore or Contender could be a great chopice for a newbie or even the preference of a very experienced shooter. Many after years of hunting revert to singkle shots. Lets face it, you really only get one shot any how and it really forces you to make that one count. Theese guns you can just buy another barrel, change it from .308 or to 44 mag or even change it to a .50 caliber muzzle loader to extend a season /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The down side of them is here you need a hand gun permit as they can be converted to hand guns as well. So if blindly forced to pick two cartridges based on the limited info I would go with the .270 WSM or a .308, with a slight preference to the .308 due to cartridge availability. The .308 is available in a HUGE range of configureations and price. Dave

 

[Old_Hickory]

Re: Varmint Rifle

How about a Winchester .243 lever action ???

 

[Docsknotinn]

Re: Varmint Rifle

That would have to be a model 88. A bit of a odd bird but a fine gun. Prefereably a pre-'64 model. Production began in 1955 and ended in 1973. Its also available in .308 and I think two other proprietary calibers. Certainly a a lot lighter weight than the new browning BLR models in that caliber. Dave

 

[YanmarFever]

Lane
what would really help this thread is if you posted the dollar amount you are willing to spend on a rifle.
A 308 armalite AR-10 is over 1000.00
a savage is around 350.00
that way everyone could comment around the same rifles.
By the way 308 import ammo is dirt cheap right now !
Ern. <><

 

[BillyP]

I think Lane has left the building /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[LSmith]

I haven't left, Just sitting back in shock and awe /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I knew that this subject might generate a fair amount of traffic but I had no idea that it borders on religion for some. I guess I need to stir the pot some more. Ranchman set me to thinking that I should give some further ideas of what I want. Price is important and I expect I will spend $500 to $750 for a fair rifle. Of course I would like to spend as little as possible. Range is probably not as important as stopping power. years ago I was treed by a razorback while hiking in Arkansas. I don't think I can run that fast anymore, and personally don't want to find out /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif . I would prefer to stand and fight. I am leaning toward a rifle that shoots a .357 or .44 round so that I could use the same ammo in a pistol. The lever action is another preference. (too many years growing up watching the Rifleman). I hope this gives some more focus to the thread. I am still flexible and willing to be talked into (or out of) anything.

Thanks to all for the the input

Lane Smith