I'm thinking about buying a rifle for varmit hunting and have heard great stories about each of these calibers. I would eventually like to get past 450 yards and still maintain clean kill power and accuracy. Targets would be primarily prairie dogs, coyotes, fox, and the occasional squrril. It's probably an age-old question but which caliber is the most versatile and accurate?
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Best varmit round: .223,22-250,220 swift, or .243
- Thread starter eeshooter
- Start date
Steve Smith
New member
Based on my very limited knowledge on this subject, I don't think that you can rely on the .223 for a pinpoint shot at those ranges. Take a look at your forearm...that's about the thickest you'll ever see a prarie dog. Imagine shooting at that at 500 yds. Personally, I'm shooting with a .22-250 and I've been very pleased. When the game gets larger (coyotes) I use my AK because the rounds are cheaper and the target is larger.
Unkel Gilbey
New member
eeshooter,
You are going to hear a lot of different opinions about this and that caliber, and it may be a tad confusing, especially since a majority of them will be in .22 caliber.
Have you ever fired at that range? 450 yards I mean? A prairie dog is a might small target even at 100 yards - much less at 300 to 400 yards. The wind will play hob with your bullet as it gets out there also, but maybe you have experience with long range shooting.
At any rate, if you want 'lightning-stroke' killing shock out that far, you should lean towards one of the bigger rounds like the Swift or one of the newer big boys like a Lazzaroni. That will let you have all the velocity and also reduce the windage and elevation error's at range.
But I don't think that you should overlook the 22-250, or the .222 Rem for that matter. In fact, a 'trip-deuce' is an excellant performer right out of the box.
Good Luck, U.G.
You are going to hear a lot of different opinions about this and that caliber, and it may be a tad confusing, especially since a majority of them will be in .22 caliber.
Have you ever fired at that range? 450 yards I mean? A prairie dog is a might small target even at 100 yards - much less at 300 to 400 yards. The wind will play hob with your bullet as it gets out there also, but maybe you have experience with long range shooting.
At any rate, if you want 'lightning-stroke' killing shock out that far, you should lean towards one of the bigger rounds like the Swift or one of the newer big boys like a Lazzaroni. That will let you have all the velocity and also reduce the windage and elevation error's at range.
But I don't think that you should overlook the 22-250, or the .222 Rem for that matter. In fact, a 'trip-deuce' is an excellant performer right out of the box.
Good Luck, U.G.
I feel that dicussing the individual .22's should not be based on terminal performance as much as in accuracy. Even a .22 WMR will kill a prarie dog at 450 yards...if you can hit it. As for accuracy potential, they are all good in a quality rifle. The .243 shooting 70 gr bullets will definitly have the advantage as for energy on the end and bucking the wind. But you would be better suited in an accurate .223 over a non-accurate .243. Your choice man. It is all in the rifle and not as much in the projectile. My two cents worth says go with an accurate 22-250. It will still drop a coyote at 450 yards.
WalterGAII
Moderator
I just bought a Rem. 700 Varmint, Laminated Stock in .243. I also have a Rem. VS in .223. Both are extremely accurate. No doubt in my mind but that the .243 is a better shooter at long ranges. (You have bullet options from 55gr @4000+fps to 105gr.)
Mike Irwin
Staff
I use a .243 that I've set up for this purpose. Longest shot I've hit a hog at is about 300 yards.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
Well, I think that most of my varmint rifles are 300 yarders - I've got a .22-250 (0.35"), a .308 (0.50"), a .243 (0.75") and a .223 (0.75"), along with my 6PPC (0.25"), .22PPC (0.25") and 6BR (0.30") - I like the BR because I can run 55 gr. Noslers at around 4,100 fps, but the wind starts seriously getting to 'em after about 300...
My next rifle is going to have a fast twist 6/284 barrel.
My next rifle is going to have a fast twist 6/284 barrel.
hmm the 223 is for out to ~300
the 22-250 & 220 Swift are for ~400
past that you get nuts
You might want to consider a 223 to start with and then move to a 6mm or 25 in the 240 weatherby/25-06 Ackley/257 weatherby class. The 22-243 [slow twist over 70 grain bullets] class has a following but from what I understand the 240/257 weatherby class does better because you can use true varmint bullets vs match type...the 22-243 will hit out at the long range but the bullets won't perform as well as a nosler BT from the 240/257 WBY when the range is LONG.
the 22-250 & 220 Swift are for ~400
past that you get nuts
You might want to consider a 223 to start with and then move to a 6mm or 25 in the 240 weatherby/25-06 Ackley/257 weatherby class. The 22-243 [slow twist over 70 grain bullets] class has a following but from what I understand the 240/257 weatherby class does better because you can use true varmint bullets vs match type...the 22-243 will hit out at the long range but the bullets won't perform as well as a nosler BT from the 240/257 WBY when the range is LONG.