with regards to your rifle choice NG, depends on budget and use. a 223 varmit is accurate and cheap to shoot and buy. if ya serious, a larger caliber and reloading would be better. lot of cheap old omark rifles for sale and 308 ammo is not overly expensive. F class with a new not overly expensive rifle for me would be a tikka varmit in 6.5x55 mauser. a fantastic old calibre / gun would be a early sako varmit in 222 rem. i think some records still stand from 40-50 years ago from 222. once your set up no more expensive than 223 to reload. JMHO