First varmint rig
 

well, I will be putting togather my first varmint rig in a month or two. I will be getting a weatherby vanguard sub-moa varmint in .204 ruger. it will have a nikon 5-20x44 scope with the BDC reticle secured by talley mounts. I will be shooting out to about 500 yards, mostly on smaller varmints, and maybe the occasional coyote. any input that could improve this set up would be appreciated. thatnk you

RE: First varmint rig
 

might wanna rethink the caliber if your typical shooting is over 300...yes, that 204 will reach out there..but a light cross wind is gunna take that bullet in a hurry..alot of guys like something a hair bigger (6mm-243 range) for anything past 300 or so...

i bought a 22-250 this summer...love it. but i dont get much shooting past 350, most being 200 or less, and groundhogs dont like windy days all too much, so i dont shoot in the wind...

but if your like me, and most your shooting falls around 300 or less, and the occassional poke, than youd most likely be ok...

RE: First varmint rig
 

From what I've saw the .204 doesn't do that good past 300 yards. May also look into a different rifle, Weatherbys seem pretty pricy for what they are.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I was also looking at a .22-250 too, but I figured if I did a lot of high volume shooting then me barrel would heat up much faster than with the .204. maybe the good old .223 would be a nice ballence between the two?I found a website: budsgunshop.com that can have that weatherby delivered for 715.00. sounds pretty good if you ask me. thank you for your input. if I did get say a .223, what would be a good bullet weight for up to 500 yards? my guess would be something in the 55-65 gr range.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I bought a NEF single shot in 204 Ruger, and I don't have any trouble shooting in the wind. I don't go shooting when it's gusting up to or over 30 mph or anything either, but here in east NM if you wait for a calm day you'll never get out. I can shoot out to 450-500 yards with my 6-24X50 scope, but I generally don't shoot over 350 at animals. I bought this gun primarily for coyote and fox, but who doesn’t like a big prairie dog town. If you are trying to save some $$ on this purchase, you might want to at least take a look at the NEF rifles. I own a Weatherby for my big game rifle, but I didn’t want to drop that kind of cash just to kill some vermin.

RE: First varmint rig
 

He said .204 ruger and 500 yards:D it'll get out there but thats even a hard shot with a 22-250. Like mauser said consider something 6mm or better.

RE: First varmint rig
 

Jeez! ya makin me feel kinda bad Ive got almost 3 grand tied up in firearms and optics for just killin some vermin.:D;)

RE: First varmint rig
 

lol HDW...looking at my stock of guns, the most expensive rig in the house is my groundhog rifle...i got about 1200-1300$ sitting in a factory rifle lol...just to shoot groundhogs. drop another 500 or so into her, and she'll be a real shooter:D something addicting about a good varmint rig...i love to open up the case and hand it to someone that has never seen such a thing.

kinda kicking myself about the 22-250 choice...but here in PA, 350 or so is about the fartherst hillside to hillside shot...the rolling hills around here and development make it hard to find a true poke...350 or less is bang/splat...thats what i like...no recoil..find shells anywhere...works for me...

do i need a 1300$ rifle to shoot groundhogs? heck no...but missing is no fun...funny i usually draw in spectators....who woulda thought groundhog hunting to be a spectator sport?? lol i like watching jaws drop when i call a 200yd headshot...then tell the spectators to hit it with the range finder and go bring it back to me while i find me another

RE: First varmint rig
 

Im still considering the .22-250 I just might go with a .204 or .223 because the ammo is cheaper and it wears less on the barrel. at first most of my shooting will most likeley be done around 200-300 yards. I would only take a five hundred yard shot if there was no wind. I am a marine and we shoot at the 500 yard line, and I have seen first hand what a slight wind can do to a light bullet. but I figure if I can fit what I am aiming at at 500 yards with iron sights, then using a 20 power scope shouldnet be too difficult. granted the target is much smaller, it should be relative due to the magnifacation of the scope. hell at 500 yards the front sight post is about wice as wide as the target apperars. oh and If I had the money, I wouldnt hestiate to drop a bunch of money on a good varmint rifle. one more thing, do you think an m1 carbine could be used on coyotes at close range say 100 yards and less if it I were shooting soft ponits? I have one and have been trying to think of something that I could hunt with it.

RE: First varmint rig
 

Savage Model 12FV in .223 for ~$500 in most parts of the world. With some 60 grain hollow points, you could get out there and touch something.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I did look at savage, but i have a 1500 dollar budget and since I will be getting the weatherby for 715.00 and the MSRP is 1024.00 on weatherbys website, so I dont mind the extra 200 bucks. I will be getting a savage 93 BTVS in .22 magnum for bunnies, that looks like a really good gun.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I find it funny that everyone automatically tried to discredit the 204 Ruger in favor of the 22-250. I'm not knocking the 22-250, because I know it is a tried, true, and proven round. However, with that being said look tat these ballistics that I copied strait from the Hornaday site.
204 RUGER 40 GR V-MAX
83206
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle
100 yd
200 yd
300 yd
400 yd
500 yd
3900/1351
3482/1077
3103/855
2755/674
2433/526
2133/404

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle
100 yd
200 yd
300 yd
400 yd
500 yd
-1.5
0.7
0.00
-4.3
-13.2
-28.1


.22-250 Rem., 40 gr. V-MAX
8335
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle
100 yd
200 yd
300 yd
400 yd
500 yd
4150/1529
3553/1121
3032/816
2568/585
2148/410
1771/278

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle
100 yd
200 yd
300 yd
400 yd
500 yd
-1.50
0.60
0.00
-4.50
-14.20
-31.70

And Yes I shoot this gun out to 500 yards. This is not a shot that I practice off of sticks for application in the field, but one I play with on calm days with a bench and rest. Plus I think it is great that you all can spend a bundle on your varmint guns, but as a SSgt (E-5) in the Air Force supporting a wife and four year old, I’m lucky I can afford the toys I have.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I saw those same ballistics. I have given it some more thought and will be going with a .204, it should work just fine for me

RE: First varmint rig
 

i never said the 250 was a better choice...heck they are darn near identical..the 204 seems to shine with lighter bullet weights...but then wind is a bigger factor...and has a lower BC..and will run out of steam quicker...

250s are known as barrel burners...but by the time i put 2000-3000 rounds through mine, well, i think i will have my moneys worth by then lol...

the 20 and 22cals can and will kill at 500yds...but there are better choices if your normal shooting is indeed over 300 or so...if you have the occassional poke, then you really dont need the extra power of 6mm/243 rounds...if you can get the bullet where it needs to be.

RE: First varmint rig
 

at firstmost of my shooting will be 300 yards and less; and besides, if I find out I really need a .243 or 6mm type caliber, thats just an excuse to buy another gun.

RE: First varmint rig
 

now you got the right idea....go get em man

once you get one good varmint rig youll be soaking money into it and planning on building another...its addicting...

good luck with it

RE: First varmint rig
 

You should take a look at the Howa varminter supreme if you like the action on the Weatherby Vanguard. It's essentially the exact same action, but the Howa comes with a much more attractive Boyd's laminate varminter stock and it has a much more attractive price. I picked up mine with stainless steel and a pepper laminate stock in .243 for $630, and I know some dealers can get them in for even less. If you opted for the same gun but with blued steel and the nutmeg stock instead, you should be able to get onto it for less than $600. It's a much better deal than the Weatheryby Vanguard IMO.

http://legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_varmsup.html

RE: First varmint rig
 

I was origionally going to get the howa but I found the weatherby for just a little bit more and it has the sub MOA guarentee. I like the look of theweatherby stock more anyway, but thats just me. now if the "sub MOA guarentee"isnt really worth the extra money then I will get the howa like I orrigionally planned on.

RE: First varmint rig
 

My Howa shoots about 1MOA with the cheapest 80 grain soft points I can find. I have no doubt that it will shoot sub-MOA with premium ammo. I'm anxious to see how it does once I start shooting handloads. I personally like the look and feel of wood to synthetic, and laminate is a good compromise of the look/feel of wood and the climate resistance of synthetic. But if your heart is set on the Weatherby Vanguard then don't hesitate to buy it. You don't want to have any regrets about your purchase later on.

RE: First varmint rig
 

I dont think I can go wrong with either one ,and the price wasnt that different so the weatherby it is. I figure if I shootsome good ammo throung it I will have an excepionally accurate rifle. any thought on using an H&R varmint rifle in .243, maybe a .22-250for coyotes and other varmints at longer range? I found a place that sells this rifle for 275.00, then I could put a bushnell on it and have a good gun for about 450 bucks or so. for now I will just be worried about the weatherby.

RE: First varmint rig
 

mauser06 - I did the same thing, but I'm not kicking myself about it. I bought the Kimber Longmaster VT in .22-250 and topped it with a Zeiss Conquest 4.5x14x44. It shoots sub MOA. I practice with 12oz water bottles at 250 yards and connect consistently. Great for Coyotes. Anything smaller explodes like a gallon of water. I'm shooting Federal Premium 40gr Balistic Tips

RE: First varmint rig
 

great lookin rifle allen...

question....what rate of twist is that barrel? you happen to know?? mines 1:14..i know i should be shooting lighter...but light as i went was 50gr...they shot a hair better than the 55s...i think i aughta try some 45s and 40s this spring...got a bunch of 55gr ballistic tips to burn up first...want to start reloading for it..but wont get around to that for a few years...

RE: First varmint rig
 

VG I am glad tosee that you settled on the 204 Ruger. A lot of folks have a hard time seeing that the 204 can actually out shine the bigger bader 22-250 in as many criteria as she does. Once you exceed 300 yards the ballistic coefficient of your high BC projectile really starts to pay dividends.

That being said give the 39-grain sierra BK's a try. Most guys really like them. If you have not settled on a given rifle yet may I recommend you give a CZ527 Varmint, a serious look.
Don’t expect much out of the 20 cal. 40-grain V-max as few rifles stabilize that longer bullet well.

Personally I am a Remington and CZ fan. Ill be straight up initially most folks do not care for the clip arrangement on the CZ 527, gaudy as she is. Though once you get past the butugly clip the trigger will impress the HE double toothpicks out of you. I have two CZ527's in 204 ruger. One rifle is the American laminate sunset camo and the other is a plain walnut Varmint barrel. Both are shooters. Though the extra weight in the varmint pays off big as she is not near as finicky as to the load development. Now I do not have any Weatherby's so I cant honestly make a fair comparison.
I can say I have heard a lot of good things about Savage as much as I dislike the way they look. So if I were to try to sway you in any way I would have to say give the CZ527 Varmint a serious look. I have heard good things about the CZ527 HS precision stock package also.

RE: First varmint rig
 

this is my first actual what i would call a varmit rig. its a rem 700 .243 caliber with a tasco 6x24x42 setting on top of it. i am handloading for it. i am shooting 65 gr. hornady v max bullets. its not as expensive as some rifles i have seen on here, but it definitely does the job. i shouldve cleaned the counter off, but oh well....

RE: First varmint rig
 

The .204 is and aweome caliber for varmints of any type I hunt for fur and thats one of my rifles, but their right. The .204 is not the best caliber for out past 375. What you need to do is get a .223 ackley improved. Some argue with that but its a great gun. My .223 ackley is shooting only 240 fps slower than a 22-250. To tell you the truth I really dont like to shoot yotes, foxes, etc. out past 375-400. Ive only done it twice, the 1st time I was only messing around not thinking that I could hit it till i hit it behing the ear.lol But anyway, if you are going to hunt the smaller varmints out past 450 than you need either a .223 ackley improved. Actually a lot of long range hunters in MO, use a 25-06 ackley for g-hogs and such. But I hope I have helped you a little.

RE: First varmint rig
 

mauser06 - Its a 1:14 twist. I started shooting 40 gr when I bought it so I don't know how 50 or 55gr perform in it. the 40gr are tack drivers so I haven't needed to switch. I'm actually looking forward to the end of deer season so I can focus on coyotes / fox

RE: First varmint rig
 

Bowhunter 747 - As you stated, you don't need something expensive to get the job done. My first varmit rig was a Rem Model 700 adl synthetic in .243 with a simmons 4.5x14x40. I bought the Kimber LongMaster VT just so I could dot an i at 300 yards. I only take the kimber out when I'm hunting a field (so I don't scratch it) and there is no change of rain.It weights a12lb scoped soI certainlydon't want to carryit more than a half mile. Its really just a toy.

When I'm heading out for some serious predator hunting, I take my Handi Rifle (synthetic) single shot in .243. it weights 6 lbs and can take a beating - the 55gr ballistic tips are perfect. I also carry 100 gr bullets in the even I see a hog.