RE: .223 good varmint caliber?
 

Howa and Weatherby make decent bolt rifles that are very affordable. Actually, I think Howa makes the Weatherby Vanguard, so they are really one in the same. Wal-Mart usually has them at prices under $400. Here is the Link:

Wal-Mart Rifles

RE: .223 good varmint caliber?
 

The H&R and NEF are the same gun. I have one, the Handi-Rifle in .223. If I do my part, it can easily shoot 1 MOA groups all day long. They are nice little guns to have, and can get other barrels in other calibers rather inexpensively. I can eject a spent shell, place a new one in, and re-aquire the target just about as fast as I can with a bolt action gun. I doubt that you would even have a second chance at an animal you missed any way. If they hear a bullet wizzing past their head, they are into the next county in no time. Even with the most exceptionally accurate bot actions that can shoot 1/2 MOA, making a shot on a coyote that is running away would be about impossible anyway. You are supposed to make the first shot count anyway, so who cares if you can cycle a new round into the chamber half a second faster than the next guy. If you are on a budget, buy an NEF/H&R, place a Simmons Aetec scope on it, buy a few boxes of different ammo, see which shoots best, and go hunting.

RE: .223 good varmint caliber?
 

Yes it is perfect, especially being tight on cash;)

RE: .223 good varmint caliber?
 

heres my H&R handi rifle survivor 223 with 6.5-20x 50mm scope dead accurate.

whole setup is under 400 easy i payed 217 for the gun custom order at walmart and traded a 60 dollar fletcher for scope

RE: .223 good varmint caliber?
 

Thats a nice gun. I wish I would have held off on the 204 and shoped around!