Varmit Guns

[CritterGitter]

I was thinking of getting a 22/250. Would this be a good varmit rifle. I was hoping to use this gun to maybe do some hunting for coyote, groundhog and squirrels.

Is this a good all around little rifle that can be used for all three of these types of critters(mostly yotes and groundhogs). I was looking online and saw a Mossberg model that I might be able to afford. Also, what could one expect to pay for a rifle like this at a gun show? Well, I have never been to a gun show so would that be a good place to pick up a used model or should I just buy new?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

CG

[M.Magis]

A 22-250 is a great flat shooting rifle. It's a good choice if you don't plan to do anything with the coyote hides. They can cause some serious damage. To combine all three species will be tough with one gun. You'd be WAY overgunned for squirrels.:D A .17 HMR would be good for groundhog and maybe long distance head shots for squirrels, but not nearly enough gun for coyotes past 50 yards. A .17 Rem. is about the ideal coyote gun and good for groundhogs, but too much for squirrels. Sorry, can't help much on the cost.:confused:

[Buckrun]

I use to have a .22-250 it was a great shooter. In a fit of stupidity I sold it. If you can only afford 1 gun and want to shoot groundhogs, coyote and squirrels I think you are going to be under gunned for coyotes with a squirrel rifle or over gunned for squirrel if you get a coyote rifle. The only cartridge I would recommend that would possibly work would be a .22 Hornet. A little light for coyotes but will work and a little heavy for squirrels but head shots will be fine. Just pick your shots.

Of course I reload for all my rifles. This helps in getting the most accurate load for your rifle.

Steve

PS the rifle in the picture under my name is a old Savage 23D in .22 Hornet. I shot that fox at around 100 yards.

[MrFurious]

The 22-250 is probably one of (if not the) most popular varmint caliber out there. The .223 is real close, but for long distances and knock down power the 22-250 has a definite edge. Ammunition for the .223 is much cheaper, so it basically boils down to what distances you plan to shoot at.

As for using any high powered rifle for squirrels....well, I'd never do it just from a safety standpoint. Those bullets will go a long, long ways when aimed up into the trees and you never know exactly where they'll come back down. There's a reason rimfire's and shotguns have been THE choice for squirrels for many, many years.

Price-wise, I'm not sure what a Mossberg runs, but I know you could easily get into a new Savage 11GL or 11FL bolt-action for around $350. Most used gun prices aren't much cheaper than a new one, and even though it may look in excellent shape on the outside, you can't tell how much its been fired or how much life is left in the barrel.

[Buckrun]

MrFurious
Is right when he says:
"As for using any high powered rifle for squirrels....well, I'd never do it just from a safety standpoint. Those bullets will go a long, long ways when aimed up into the trees and you never know exactly where they'll come back down. There's a reason rimfire's and shotguns have been THE choice for squirrels for many, many years."

That is why I now hunt squirrels with a .17 HMR. I figure that little bullet will hit something before it gets out of a woods. It won't take much to destroy the bullet. Actually a .22 Rimfire is one of the worst rounds for ricocheting. It could hit several small limbs
and still go out the top of the woods. Probably won’t go to far but you never know. When hunting with a .22 anymore I always wait until the squirrel has a large tree behind it. I figure I can wait and enjoy watching the squirrel doing what squirrels do.

Steve

[CritterGitter]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't think one gun would cover all three and likely would stay with the ole 20 gauge for squirrels. I don't even hunt them much. I have never hunted ground hogs or coyotes, but I am just looking to expand my hunting opportunities. Also, in case you couldn't tell, I really don't know much about guns. :D

I might start shopping for a rifle now. So, I guess I am looking at 22-250, .17 Rem, or a .223. I have shot a friend's 22-250, but that was quite a few years ago. I remember it shot relatively smooth and it would really reach out there. My friend used to own a small farm in Morrow county and he would pop them little dirt pigs from 200 yards! I thought it was the coolest thing.

Now, what would be a good scope? What mag power would be best? Any suggestions for that? Thanks guys!

CG

[Buckrun]

As far as scopes all I can say is get the best you can afford. I would say for most people with average incomes that would be a Leupold. I just put a Leupold 3-9x40 on my .17 Remington. You could go with a 4-12 but I use my .17 for a calling rifle so the long shots are not what I am looking for. For ground hogs and coyotes on a 22-250 I’d go with a 4-12x40 or a 6-18x40. A 22-250 can take groundhogs out to 400+ yards. For a .223 I’d probably go with a 3-9 or 4-12. I think it is going to be a 300 yard gun. A lot of people seem to go over board on the power of their scopes. I have been known to do this my self. :eek: If Leupold is out of your price range try a Bushnell. I think they have been improving the quality lately. You can really tell the difference in quality as the price goes up.:(
Steve

[MrFurious]

I know there are a plethera of Leupold fans here (I used to be one as well), but I'm now hooked on the Bushnell Elite's. Having directly compared the Elite 3200 to both the VX-I (same price range) and VX-II (higher price range) Leupolds, the Bushnell won hands down in the clarity department. I also like the power adjustment ring on the Bushnell's better as its much easier to move with gloves on.

As for power, thats a personal preference. I'd probably go with one of the Elite 3200 5-15 powers myself.

[Matt D]

Excellent advice given so far. The 22-250 is pretty hard to beat as a varmit gun. I would also recommend a Leupold scope in the 3-9, 4-12 or 4.5-14 power depending on what your average shot is going to be. Another thing to think about is if you think you might ever want to use the rifle on anything larger like deer. If that is a possibility I would look hard at a 25-06. These are deadly on ground hogs loaded with 75 grain bullets and are pretty flat out to 300 yards. While there are a lot of good rifles out there I would recommend looking for a Remington rifle as they seem to be excellent shooters right out of the box with factory ammo.

[Longrifle30.06]

I bought a Savage model 16FXP stainless package gun (rifle & scope together) in .223 a couple of years ago. I have been EXTREMELY pleased with it. I bought it because the rifle and scope together was less than $400, which was what I was willing to invest in a varmint gun considering the number of opportunities I get to hunt. The scope may not be the best, but it seems to get the job done. I have not had trouble making head shots on groundhogs out around 300 yds. ( My brother once made the comment "you're just freakin' deadly with that thing, aren't you" after a 280 yard kill on a groundhog, the third one in about 40 minutes.)
I chose .223 because the ammo is cheap and plentiful. This particular gun seems to like the Winchester Varmint ammo. It shoots cloverleafs on paper at 100 yards with this stuff, and it is reasonably priced too.

[vvarmitr]

You are more than likely not a reloader. So you're gonna what readily available ammo. If a store has shells you can almost bet there's a box of 223's on the shelf.;)
I'll tell you what, if you were my son I would get you a 223 in a sporter weight rifle w/ a 4-12x scope. Start nailing the g'hogs in the 100yd range & work your way up to 300yds. You'll also want binoculars in 8x & up, & a bipod or cross sticks to shoot off of in the field. I use home made cross sticks. Then after a year or two get a 22-250 in a varmint weight w/ a 6-24x scope plus maybe a reloading kit, better binoculars, & shooting bags. :cool:
Then after that you'll want to get a ......................