Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

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Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Tiiger » 14 Aug 2013, 2:15 pm

Continuing on my other topic about a game rifle in 30cal... I'm in the market for a pair of rifles, one of which will be for varmints.

Bunnies, foxes, etc. Nothing bigger than that for this rifle as I will have the 30 cal for bigger targets...

Sticking to the varmint calibres for this rifle, I'm thinking something from the .22 family...

.22lr, .223 and so on for this one. These are my first rifles so advice is appreciated :D
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Broom » 15 Aug 2013, 10:08 am

.22 is only good to about 80m max IMO, accuracy after that is all over the place.

Nothing wrong with a .223 for foxes and bunnies if you've got your eye on one of those....
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Tiiger » 15 Aug 2013, 10:54 am

.223 may be fine. Just wanting to explore my options really.
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Blackened » 15 Aug 2013, 5:02 pm

.22lr or mag would do the job for rabbits if you're just plugging away at a warren from a modest distance.

As for foxes... .204 or .223 or 22-250?

You interested in keeping meat from rabbits or pelts from foxes?

If no, then I'd go 22-250. More effective than a .223, but will do excessive damage to bunnies and pelts.

If you do want meat/pelts respectively, I'd go .223 instead.
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Yelp » 15 Aug 2013, 5:54 pm

Blackened wrote:If no, then I'd go 22-250.


If nothing... Everyone needs a 22-250 :D
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Humir » 16 Aug 2013, 9:50 am

Blackened wrote:You interested in keeping meat from rabbits or pelts from foxes?

If no, then I'd go 22-250. More effective than a .223, but will do excessive damage to bunnies and pelts.

If you do want meat/pelts respectively, I'd go .223 instead.


22-250 and .223 at both "22 calibre" though, right?

Such difference in damage because... ?
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Vati » 16 Aug 2013, 10:53 am

Humir wrote:22-250 and .223 at both "22 calibre" though, right?

Such difference in damage because... ?


Higher velocity.

As an example, a 22-250 shooting a 50gr bullet will do so about 400fps faster than a .223.
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Re: Varmint calibre recommendations from the .22 family...

Post by Monty » 16 Aug 2013, 11:33 am

Humir wrote:22-250 and .223 at both "22 calibre" though, right?

Such difference in damage because... ?


Think of the 22-250 as a ".223 magnum"

(not strictly true, but you get the idea ;))
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