What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

I'm looking for a varmint gun primarily for groundhog. Something that's not too expensive to shoot and won't get over heated. A bolt action. I was looking at 22-250 and 223 but open to anything. A friend has got me interested in a 25-06 I could use it for varmint and deer? What are your thoughts.

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

Ive shot some deer with the 24 and 25 caliber guns, but I prefer something a little heavier. Like something that will shoot 150gr or heavier bullets. If you can afford it, I think you would be happier with a varmint rifle and a deer rifle. If not, the rem. 700 varmint is a good one, the m70 and savage too. I'm not sure if they come in 2506 or not, but you can shoot varmints with 7mm's and .308's too. A 7/08 with 120 gr ballistic tips should splatter a woodchuck just fine. Just my thoughts, I would buy something big enough for the deer and make do on the woodchucks with light bullets. Or maybe buy one gun and two scopes, one like a straight 12x for varmints, and a 4x or something for big game. Have fun.

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

radar...I LOVE the 25-06 for deer. It's a great gun in the proper situation. It's also rough on groundhogs. However, if you're looking for a gun for plinking, the 25-06 isn't cheap.

I own a 223 and love it. It's cheap to shoot...no recoil...and it's a lot quieter than the 25-06.

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

You may say you want a dual purpose gun now, but wait, you'll start to want another and another, either way I would say a 243 would fit the bill nicely.

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

I have a 25-06 for deer and chucks,I took a chuck at 503 yards with the right scope. The .243 is also a fine caliber for both and ammo is cheaper...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

When I wanted a chuck gun I also got one that I could use for Deer and Antelope. bull barreled .243


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

Get a .22-250 for varmints and a .270 Win. for deer and larger game.

Keep yore powder dry!!

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

.50 BMG<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hurry up and wait.

RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

If you are looking for a cheap way to shoot go with the .223. Even .223 ammo can run between $4-$14 per box, it depends on what ammo you pick. It is hard to think of a cal. that is good for deer and varmint and is also cheap to shoot (less than $10 a box). You will come close with a .243 cal. This is one cal. that I shoot on just about every trip to the range. I have used the .243 on everything from skunk to deer, and I love it. Also the .243 has a good selection of bullet weights for different types of animals.

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RE: What's a good varmint gun, all around?
 

If you want strictly a varmint cartridge then the 22-250 is probably the best ballistically, while the 223 is cheaper to shoot. If you relload then cost of ammo is a moot point. For dual purpose it is hard to beat the 243. If you want a deer rifle that you can shoot varmints with then the 7mm-08 is good.