Varmit Rifle

Bird · Nov 18, 2003

Ken, someone was putting the bullets in the wrong place. When I was a kid, I don't even know how many hogs we butchered, but they were all killed with a .22 rifle; shot just about between the eyes. Of course, the range was only about 6 feet. And it doesn't take but one shot.

fishman · Nov 18, 2003

There are some really good ideas presented here, but I think Ranchman did a really good job summarizing.

His advice on the .308 is right on in my opinion. Not too much recoil, very accurate, ammunition widely available from premium brands to military surplus, and you can get it in any action style you desire. I would recommend a bolt gun.

Now don't forget to top it with a good piece of glass. I'm kind of partial to Leupold, and their VX1 series is a good value. The 3x9x40 costs around $200. Don't go cheap on this or you will regret it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

boustany · Nov 18, 2003

I know this amounts to a religious debate, but a 22-250 is a heck of a varmit rifle. Just don't be surprised if large bits of the critter can't be found. A '94 in 30-30 is a nice gun for deer but not actually accurate enough, especially given the blunt bullets.

I don't have a mini-14, but I do have an AR15 in 223. The ammo is cheap, and it is pretty accurate (though illegal to use on varmits in Canada).

Mark_in_NH · Nov 18, 2003

( 577 Nitro Express?........ )

Ouch !!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mark_in_NH · Nov 18, 2003

One of my favorite is the 270 Winchester. My most favorite rifle of my whole collection is chambered for this round.
It is an Interarms, Whitworth with a manlicher stock.

SageBrush · Nov 18, 2003

The 223 is my first choice for small stuff. Takes care of wild dogs and such. I have the Mini 14 Ranch Stainless. Great for plinking.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A scoped bolt action would be better for those one shot moments. I also have the Ruger Varmit Rifle (MK II) in 22-250, the one with the heavy barrel and "target style" stock and "target" trigger (2.5 pound pull on mine) with a Leupold VARI - X III 6.5 - 20 X 50MM with the ADJ. OBJ. Works great on the bench, a little heavy to carry around, but a very nice shooter right out of the box.

I've found the Remington Model 700 ADL Synthetic a nice choice in .223 for the price. But, a bit small for deer. In 30-06 it could cover a wide range of needs. A better trigger and it will compete with my Rugger Varmit rifle. A few years back we added a couple Marlin 45-70 lever actions to the farm. They are a great all around brush gun too, with all the hand load possibles. We perfer them for hogs now with open sights. Those hogs can get very large around here. They love to charge you too. A 22 anything would be a little too small unless we are talking about a "raised hog" in a pin or something. For that a 22 LR would fit the bill, a 10/22 Ruger is my favorite.

Don't get brand loyal, buy one of each. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Slamfire · Nov 18, 2003

That's pretty much the way we did it, Bird. But, once in a great while you had to go to the house and get the .32 pistol for some thick headed hog. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think, for a non gun nut the NEF Handi rifle would be ideal. You can get multiple barrels to fit the same frame. The .17 HRM for stuff smaller than 'yotes, and say a .270 for the hogs, and a 12 gauge for anything else. Single shot, break open action, you'd have to send in the frame to have additional barrels installed as they are hand fitted, but it is relatively inexpensive. If you intend to scope it, there is no substitute for the quality and warrenty of the Leupolds, a 2x7 variable would cover most uses.

Bird · Nov 19, 2003

( multiple barrels to fit the same frame )

I'm not familiar with the gun you're talking about, but I am familiar with a similar gun (don't even know whether the still make them). I sold my H&R Topper last year. Single shot, break open, interchangeable barrels. I only had the 20 gauge and 30-30 barrels myself, but when I bought it 35 years ago, you could also get a 12 gauge and a .22 Jet barrel for it.

Boondox · Nov 19, 2003

Re: Varmint Rifle

Ever notice how much passion the entire subject of firearms stirs whenever it comes up? Ford vs Chevy. Gears vs HST. JD vs Kubota. And which rifle/cartridge to use. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

RobertN · Nov 19, 2003

Re: Varmint Rifle

It does stir things up, this time nicely /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif In this thread, seems a number of folks are giving a number of good options, maybe even too many /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

In one message, you got all the brands covered, and a selection of attachments; You have "these three styles of scrapers will work with these four brands of tractors", which in some ways is typical of this great forum, and in some ways not. This wonderful group always gives good feedback, but often the scope is limited to fewer options.

That's what I like about this site. I started on it very early in its life, and have seen many advances in the web page, have seen great people come and go. It's always been a great place, and great folks the whole time though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Like today; I'm finishing my Mocha made with a lighter roast of coffee, based on feedback from a certian amazing coffee knowledgable person on this board /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif