Author Topic: Small caliber for varmints (Read 2368 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** January 16, 2008, 08:23:47 AM »

Now that the PA deer situation makes it a poor investment for a non-resident license and the gas to get to camp, I'll be spending more time here in Ohio. I'll still want a centerfire rifle so I can reload. The game would be coyotes, groundhogs and possibly fox in season. Been thinking of a .204 Ruger so as to not blow up the fur and meat, but still get the job done out to about 150 yards. Any comments and/or suggestions as to this caliber and a good rifle for it? I'm checking my funds and need to stay under $700 if at all possible.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2008, 11:41:57 AM »

Do you reload?

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2008, 12:06:06 PM »

The 204 would work great for you at that range. I killed a bunch of groundhogs this past summer with one. The 204 is really a fast flat shooting round but it does lose a lot of knock down power past 300 yards. The Remington 700 SPS Varmint comes chambered in the 204 and I think it would be a great choice. I bought mine for under $600.00 and it also comes with a $30.00 rebate. You should check them out. Dale

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2008, 12:09:54 PM »

For varmints at modest distances I would pick the 223. Especially if you do not reload.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2008, 11:22:58 PM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on January 16, 2008, 12:09:54 PM

For varmints at modest distances I would pick the 223. Especially if you do not reload.

I agree.

There is such a vast selection of factory loaded .223 that you should be able to find a bullet style that will not cause excessive damage. Predictable accuracy of the .223 for the average hunter will get you to about 300 yards. It carries enough thump for the game you mention.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2008, 03:45:31 AM »

.223 is really more 'thump' than is needed at 150 yards, especially if fur is the name of the game. It's a good round, but I wouldn't want to shoot a prime bobcat at 50 yards with one. If you're careful about what you feed it, I guess you could make it work.

.204 is a good round and has more than plenty of power for the ranges you mention. If you reload and 150 yards is the name of the game, I think you would be better served by a .17 Rem as you'll have more and better bullet choices. The 25 grain Berger match is what I shoot.

If you don't reload, your choices narrow down as far as being fur friendly goes.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:26:50 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on January 16, 2008, 08:23:47 AM

I'll still want a centerfire rifle so I can reload.

having never shot a 204, I'm not wild about it. For the game you want, the 223 would work fine but seeing as you do or want to reload, my choice would be the 222 if you can find one. have had several and everyone I liked better than the 223's I've owned. You might also concider the 22 Hornet, seeing as you do reload or are wanting to.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:37:54 AM »

the 204 is very destructive on small critters , if you didn't want to mount say a fox or such it would make a fine rifle as it offers a bullet at over 4000 fps which seem to blow up not just expand as the 223 does , making it less pron to deflection causing damage down range if a shot missed . the 223 has ammo problems around here ( can't get it and it cost as much or more than others . )

turkeyeye · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:51:54 AM »

Well I have recently purchased the 17 Remington Fireball. It is amazingly accurate, the most accurate gun that I have ever owned. It is a Remington 700 SPS. So far it is been the most fun to reload and shoot gun that I have ever owned.

dw06 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:20:08 AM »

Was going to say 223,but since you put out to about 150 yards I'd say 22 hornet.Easy to load for,cheap to shoot,with newer bullets can reach out to 225-250 well,accurate,and fun to boot.

Star1pup · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2008, 12:43:18 PM »

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. For some reason GBO doesn't forward replies to me. I had better check my profile as I changed e-mail a while back.

BTW: I do reload and I have a .222, but it's a Savage Model 24V with a 20 gauge on the bottom. It's okay, but not a tack driver. I think .223 ammo is getting harder to find around here, maybe because of Iraq. Guess I really need to do some hard thinking on this and some more trips to the range with my triple deuce.

So far I've been on 3 different sites and have a bunch of different answers.

Maybe that's what makes this sport so much fun.

Catfish · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2008, 12:53:04 PM »

With any of the high velocity round your going to loose alot of meat and fur on coon size game. The .204 is a good coyote round with the right bullet ie. the 35 gn. Berger or heaver. The .223 with the right bullets will do more than you said you want. Another round you should consider is the .17 Rem. With good shot placement and the right bullet the .17 Rem. is a good coyote killer out to 400 yrds. The new .17-221 Rem. would be another good round for what you want.

Star1pup · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2008, 02:31:01 PM »

Here in my area of Ohio 400 yard shots are just not possible. I expect most shots to be less than 100 yards, with a maximum of 150 yards.

davem270win · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2008, 04:23:50 PM »

Out to 150 yards, a 22 Hornet will work fine, and be much quieter than a bigger 22. The 218 Bee would be another option, but new rifles are not very available. Check out the Woodchuck Den (www.woodchuckden.com) which I believe is in Ohio, and specializes in 17 and 20 caliber cartridges.

rks1949 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2008, 05:51:44 PM »

Quote from: dw06 on January 19, 2008, 10:20:08 AM

Was going to say 223,but since you put out to about 150 yards I'd say 22 hornet.Easy to load for,cheap to shoot,with newer bullets can reach out to 225-250 well,accurate,and fun to boot.

I'll second the Hornet. Virtually no pelt damage and good to 200yds. on any varmit(coyote included). Ron

Star1pup · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2008, 02:22:49 PM »

I think I'll try the Hornet, but not many rifles to choose from. Unless I want a single shot, I think I'm limited to a CZ 527 or Remington 799. Tried to price the Remington on their web, but they don't post prices. Any advice for CZ vs Remington? My buddy has a CZ in 30-06 and it's a nice rifle. I own a couple of Remingtons, but only one rifle. It's a 760 in 30-06 and is a very accurate rifle. Decisions, decisions...

rks1949 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2008, 03:51:56 PM »

I have a friend that I hunt/shoot with,that picked up a Rem 799 last year. The gun is a shooter,has a mini mauser action,and is built like a tank. The twist is a 1/16 WHICH TENDS TO LIKE THE LIGHTER BULLETS. He uses a 40GR. v-max with great results. The gun allways shoots under .5 inch at 100yds. and has killed many coyotes out to 200yds. I think the gun retails for around 590.00. It's a nice gun,built in Russia,it also comes with a fully adjustable trigger(like the old Remingtons used too). The Ruger 77's shoot well also,if you take the time to develope a load,the Hornet will give about any gun a run for the money in a 100yd. match. Ron

kevthebassman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2008, 11:56:56 PM »

Those CZ's are real shooters. I love mine and I think it'd be hard to go wrong with one.

the lone gunman · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2008, 07:43:29 PM »

Quote from: Star1pup on January 24, 2008, 02:22:49 PM

I think I'll try the Hornet, but not many rifles to choose from. Unless I want a single shot, I think I'm limited to a CZ 527 or Remington 799. Tried to price the Remington on their web, but they don't post prices. Any advice for CZ vs Remington? My buddy has a CZ in 30-06 and it's a nice rifle. I own a couple of Remingtons, but only one rifle. It's a 760 in 30-06 and is a very accurate rifle. Decisions, decisions...

Check out the savage #40. it is a single shot bolt, free floated heavy barrel, accutrigger, extra sling swivel for a bipod. mine will shoot into a dime all day with hornady 35gr factory ammo. Very nice ! Think mine was $424.00

Star1pup · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:40:58 AM »

The CZ 527 American in .22 Hornet is now in my safe. I just need some decent weather to sight it in. It sure is a beauty.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2008, 01:38:46 PM »

Quote from: Star1pup on February 10, 2008, 03:40:58 AM

The CZ 527 American in .22 Hornet is now in my safe. I just need some decent weather to sight it in. It sure is a beauty.

Wait till you shoot it!

Fat NDN · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2008, 06:33:07 PM »

All I hunt is coyotes. I use a Savage 22-250 and a H&R .204, they both work well out to 400 yds.

just bill · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2008, 04:32:54 AM »

22 Hornet or .221 Fireball

Position shooting,walking & from shooting sticks..........very sporting both fun calibers.

Make a pair of shooting sticks from Varmint Al's website under "Bi-Fur pod"...........you will luv them.

Get the CZ Hornet or Fireball in American or Lux. Do not pick the Remmy 799 Serbian made Charles Dailey over the CZ........same price range. CZ also has the .221 Fireball

The Browning Hornet is anoth fine choice.

For an inexpensive walking gun the Handi Hornet does well. Repeater 22 Hornets limet the longer,higher BC bullets to single shot. (40 V Max / hornady 45 PSP Hornet bullet)

I would take a hard look at .222 down. Either a better .222 than you have like a CZ, a .221 fireball or a 22 hornet.

just bill · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2008, 04:35:48 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on February 10, 2008, 03:40:58 AM

The CZ 527 American in .22 Hornet is now in my safe. I just need some decent weather to sight it in. It sure is a beauty.

Oh

...........you already bought it (chuckle)

Great choice...........fellow woodchuck hunter.

Your likely not far away. I live near the NY/Ohio/Pa triangle.

Star1pup · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:15:04 AM »

Just Bill: I'm farther south in Columbiana County. I have been hunting with a friend who has a camp near Kane, PA, but the lack of deer might make me give it up.
Another Bill, a.k.a. Star1pup

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #25 on:** February 15, 2008, 03:19:59 PM »

It's really hard to beat the 223 for light varmit hunting. Then again for closer range shooting the old 22 mag is pretty good also and will not tear up the pelt to much.

Star1pup · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2008, 03:03:28 AM »

I finally got the CZ .22 Hornet to the range. With Winchester factory loads it printed about a quarter size group at 100 yards from a rest.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2008, 05:06:52 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on February 16, 2008, 03:03:28 AM

I finally got the CZ .22 Hornet to the range. With Winchester factory loads it printed about a quarter size group at 100 yards from a rest.

Good for you! That's on the right track and pretty dang good from factory stuff. Keep us posted on how your reloading goes, I think you should be able to cut that in half.

dw06 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2008, 12:45:37 PM »

Sound good,but more details please.What scope did you decide to put on the CZ?What reloads you got in mind to try in it?

Star1pup · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2008, 04:19:16 AM »

Quote from: dw06 on February 16, 2008, 12:45:37 PM

Sound good,but more details please.What scope did you decide to put on the CZ?What reloads you got in mind to try in it?

I have a Leupold 3 - 9X, but it's the less expensive model. If I remember correctly I paid around $200 for it. I just switched it from my Savage 24V. The Winchester factory ammo was a 45 gr SP and shot so well that I plan to use W-296 with a Hornady 45 gr. SP bullet to start. That might be pretty close to what they are loading at the factory. I need to check my data for a receipe, but I think the charge runs from 10 to 12 gr of W-296. I always start low as I've found that accuracy is more important that velocity.