What's a good varmint gun, all around?
09-10-2002, 02:46 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 19
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.
09-10-2002, 03:41 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Nowhere
Posts: 262
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.
09-10-2002, 06:23 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pulaskiville
Posts: 3,533
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.
I own a 223 and love it. It's cheap to shoot...no recoil...and it's a lot quieter than the 25-06.
09-10-2002, 09:55 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Garfield NJ USA
Posts: 3,067
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.
09-11-2002, 07:36 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N-E PA.
Posts: 1,787
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
Hunt Safe!
Jack
09-11-2002, 07:41 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hilliard OH USA
Posts: 328
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
"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."
Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!
Greg
"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."
Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!
09-11-2002, 06:51 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Knoxville TN USA
Posts: 83
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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09-11-2002, 09:52 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
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.