I'm trying to decide on a varmit rifle. Due to a limited availability of money i am looking at the H & R line of rifles. i am torn between two cartridges and two rifles. the .223 has has cheaper ammo but the .22-250 has better ballistics and power.
Ultra Varmint Rifle


I like this rifle but it's available in .223 not .22-250
Ultra Varmint Fluted


this one is availiable in both .223 and .22-250

i can't decide whether i want to stay traditional and settle with the .223 or go with the secondrifle and get a better cartridge. if ya'll have any experience with these rifles it would be greatly appreciated.

this rifle will be used for general varmiting from ground-hogs and such to coyotes and small hogs.

I would choose the one with the wood stock it looks better and comes in .223

Unless you're excpecting a high percantage of your shots to be longer than 300 yards, the .223 will do everything you ask of it, plus be cheaper to shoot too!

if you cant decide between the two what range will you be shooting, if it is short you dont have to worry about how much the bullet drops
how much will you be shooting it, if your going to run thousands of shots through it every year you will want the 223 for cheap cartridges
how much do the rifles wiegh, which one will be easier for you to carry and hold steady

wood stocked 223

the wood stocked gun weighs 8# no scope
the composite is about 7# no scope

i would expect that i would either be shooting off of a bag or a bipod.

Another vote for - wood and .223 . .22-250 can get expensive to shoot ,,, at least in comparison . Also , for long guns with a hammer - it's easier to reach the hammerwith a conventional stock .

yeah i hadn't thought of trigger access before. good point.

They come with a hammer extension. You can get a Handi-Rifle (Very similar to the top image) in 22-250, we just raffled one off on Midwest Predator Hunters. A guy got that rifle for $5- you missed out!!

I'd suggest getting a 22-250, not sure you need to go tactical with the round.... but I'll take a 250 over a 223 anyday at any range.


PS: I own all the H&R guns you are considering, chambered in everything from .17HMR/204/223/22-250/243 to 30-06.