Remington 7600/243 Factory Loads for Varmints?

[JonJon]

I Just purchased a Remington 7600 in the 243 caliber.  I think I know that its 1:9+ twist rate should stabilize a 95-100 gr bullet ...
However, what experience is there with lighter FACTORY LOADS for varmints.  Just how low can one go in bullet weight and expect
probable stabilization from this firearm?  Curious; is it a reasonably viable varmint rifle as well?

[PawPaw]

We normally don't think of a Remington 7600 as a varmint rifle, but the gun has some interesting design features that contribute to accuracy.  For example, the barrel is floated by design.  My .30-06 is a very accurate firearm, keeping its preferred load inside of 1" at 100 yards.  That 1:9 twist will stabilize anything up to about 100 grains.  Lighter bullets will be stabilized too, don't worry about that.

Is the Rem 7600 a viable varmint rifle?  We normally consider the 7600 to be a big game rifle.  Whether you can use it to hunt varmints is directly dependent on your marksmanship ability, your hunting skill and the size of the varmint.

That said, years ago I used to shoot crows with a .54 caliber muzzleloader during the off-season months to stay tuned up for deer season.  I don't think anyone would consider the TC Renegade to be a viable varmint rifle, but there are crows who would disagree with you, were they able to find their heads and vote. 

[JonJon]

Dennis  -PawPaw-

Gracias for the knowledge/wisdom. 
Just what I was hunting for.
Crows just might be a suitable prey to test the 7600/.243 and my
skills through the off season.

JonJon

[TLARbb]

Most of the time, longer bullets are harder to stabilize than shorter ones.  So depending on your rifle's twist and the bullets, your rifle might stabilize 100 grain bullets but not a VLD 95 grain.  But, to your question, most of the lighter bullets will be stabilized adequately to shoot accurately.  The rifle's twist rate and muzzle velocity are both important.  

Bottom line, I'd be good with trying bullets as light as 70 grains.  I have not personally shot any 60 grain bullets in any of my .243s.  They might work just fine, but I don't have any personal experience with the really light .243 bullets.

EJ