Gentlemen What varmint and range caliber?

[Buckfever]

I am thinking of gitting a .223 because of its coyote capabilities and to take to the range for a little fun.  I don't know much about small bore but thought this would be a good choice because ammo is inexpensive and they are accurate.  If there are better choices please tell me I am asking for advice.  Bolt action, and a history of accuracy.

I have a 6.5-55 Tikka and a 308 and 300 Win Mag.  Oh yea and a .17HMR what a gas that is!!  However the 200 yd coyotes require a little more speed and punch when you hit them.

Thanks  for the help ....Buckfever

[KN]

If you are limiting yourself to 300yds or less the 223 is perfect. Farther out and you may want a 22-250 or similar. KN

[Dand]

Yup after shooting a 300 win and watching cans of powder get empty too fast along with a sore shoulder, I got a .223 for punching paper at a 100 yd range and a little fox shooting. Much easier on the budget and shoulder and plenty of fun.  

I agree though, if you think you might start stretching distances over 300 yds, the 22-250 starts looking pretty good.

There, you have reason to buy 2 more guns not just one!

[Somerled]

A .223 is the logical first choice for a .22 centerfire cartridge. There is a wide range of factory ammo and component brass. It is plentiful and can be found on just about any dealer's shelves. There's a lot of reloading data.

As for bolt action rifles, I'd probably pick one with a 1-9" twist. It should handle all but the heaviest bullets well. If I wanted to shoot the heavy match bullets primarily, I'd get the 1-7" twist. There are some 1-12" and a few 1-14" barrels out there. They work well with the shorter, lighter bullets.

Rifles: Savage is a brand some overlook. They shoot and are easy on the budget. I also like the discontinued Remington 788. One can still find them, but the knowing usually hang on to them. I also like the Remington 700VS. I've never tried the CZ 527. They have a good reputation. Some custom makers use the CZ action. I don't like the looks of the detachable magazine protruding from the bottom.

There is the AR-15 platform. I have a Bushmaster lower receiver and a DPMS upper assembly. It has a 16", free-floating, bull barrel. I get sub 1" groups with it.

I had a Ruger No. 1 in .22-250 for a few years. It would reach out and touch them coyotes, crows and pigeons. But around here, the smaller .224s are more practical. A can of powder lasts longer. I'd like to try the .221 Fireball or .222 Remington in the CZ 527.

[tuck2]

The 223 Remington case is a good choice for one,s first varmint rifle.  Ammo and reloading supplys can be gotten at about any sporting goods store or by mail order. A lot of reloading data is available for the 223 Rem.  Your next .224 diameter rifle could be the new 223 WSM which duplicates the old 220 Swift.  The 3rd rifle could be a 221 Fireball and you would have the .224 Dia. bore rifles well covered.  Never hurts to plan ahead.---  That 17 HMR round  is fun ,shot a lot of prairie dogs with one this year. Use it for shots under 180 Yards. Got to try out the 17 HM2 next year.

[Catfish]

Nothing wrong with the .223 out to about 300 yrds. If your going to sell the hides though you would be better surved with the new .204 Ruger. It shoots flatter, closer to 400 yrds., and not as much hide damage. The .17 Rem. is also a good choice. No hide damage, almost as falt a shooter as the .204. The price of ammo will be higher with eather of these unless you reload.

[Coyote Hunter]

Buckfever -

The .223 is an excellent choice, whether you handload or buy factory fodder.  I handload a .22-250 and there are many times I wish I could just go buy a few boxes of ammo for $2.50 each like I could with the .223.

You'll give up a few yards to the .22-250/.220 Swift/etc., but you'll rarely notice it and your pocket book will thank you whether you handload or not.

[DWARREN123]

Like most said, to 300-350 yards the 223 is great, plus cheap(er) ammo and many different rifles.
I have a CZ Varmint with a Kevlar stock and it is very accurate rifle plus fun to shoot. Took a while to get use to the stock but now I love it, use a Caldwell 9-13 inch bipod on it.
Have found that Hornady makes a reman/reload called COYOTEE, 55gr SP, part#9750, that is inexpensive ($12.99 per 50 cartridges) and very accurate in my rifle.
Also have a Ruger Ranch Rifle that is not too accurate but is fun to shoot.

[Buckfever]

Hey gents I think a 223 CZ  with the Kevlar stock is in my future, near future.  Because the mini mauser action is somewhat smaller than a full size rifle what scopes, powers and brands seem to fit and work best?

By the way my wife says since you have been talking guns with your buddies at Greybeards you have bought two guns ,  just so you know I have noticed.  I think this was a pre-Christmas strike on here part to make me feel like I should get her a real nice present.  After 34 years of marriage I think women are much more cunning than men.  So I guess I have painted myself in a corner again!

Thanks Buckfever

[hedditch]

Talking with a major custom rifle maker, he said these calibers are  barrel burners even more so than the 220 Swift.  If one plans on shooting a lot of rounds at paper, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels, this is not the calibers to own.  According to him, the barrel is worn out at 1800 rds but accuracy starts going down hill at only 400 rds.  He did have good things to say about the .204 for accuracy and barrel life.  Personally, I had accuracy problems with the .17 Rem so I have resolved that I won't own anything under a .224 caliber.  I have numerous varmint rifles and shoot around 5000 rds a year.  I work to have an average of 1/2 inch five shot groups at 100 yds for each rifle.

[roper]

If you don't reload get the 223 but being the odd ball here I'd look at the 22-250 or 220 swift reason I don't  know what kind of country you hunt in but assume that you will shoot more than 200yds at some point.   I don't own a 22-250 but shoot acouple 22-250AI and that 22-250 case is a good one as with the 220 swift.    I think the 220swift got a bad rap from the gun writers.  I don't really like the 223 but have one and to me it's just over rated when you AI the 223 thats were that round should be and I shoot two of them.  If you look at the swift case  there not much can be done with it and with todays bullets and powder to me for the all around combination it's hard to beat and if you believe all the stuff about barrel burn out you can drop the velocity down to 22-250 levels and still get good groups.  I pretty much have two of everything I shoot cause on a varmit hunt  I may take 6 rifles and I can afford them also have a great wife of 40yrs.  Got to have all those combinations to make things work. Just my .02 worth

[Buckfever]

I got a Tikka Continental Varmint.  26" barrel, Wood and Blued.  Thanks for all the help!  I thought as one in the posts said it is a good caliber to start with.  If I really catch on with the Varmint hunting I will probably get another with a little more long range fire power.  Thanks Again!  Buckfever