What is a good hunting rifle for varmits?

Question

I was just wondering what type of rifle is best for varmits. Such as: Coyotes, prairie dogs, fox, squirrels, and rabbit

Also i am trying to keep the budget under $300, and im looking for cheap, but efficient ammo. So if that makes any difference....

Answer 1

For Coyotes- My choice is my Savage Model 12FLV .22-250. .204, .220 Swift, .308, .270, .30-06 all are good calibers for Coyotes. At close range, a .17HMR will do fine.

I have not hunted prairie dog or squirrels, so I couldn't tell you what gun would work for these varmints.

For Fox- Out of the calibers I've mentioned above. I would use the .17HMR or even a .22WMR. The other calibers would just split the fox in half.

For rabbit- I hunt them with my Ruger 10-22's. You can use the .17HMR,22LR,22WMR or 12 gauge shotgun, if you intend to save the fur. Using any of the other calibers I've listed, will just blow the rabbit to pieces.

Answer 2

On a budget a 223 has the most to offer for your purpose, lots of rifle choices and ammo can be found just about any where. Next on the list would be a 22-250 then the 220 Swift.

Answer 3

Squirrels, prairie dogs, and rabbits can be humanely dispatched with a good old .22LR. Coyotes and such are a bit bigger...try a .20 caliber with some zip...maybe a .223 or something.

Are you trying to preserve the meat or hide? Are you shooting at them from farther away or nearby? If you don't care about blowing them apart and are just trying to rid yourself of varmints, a 20/12 gauge loaded with smaller shot would probably work at closer ranges.

Answer 4

A .22LR works fine for everything but the Fox & Coyote which will need a bit more power. My first choice for one rifle and the game listed would be a .223 unless your in a crowded suburban area then I'd go with a .22 Hornet. The .223 works on the yotes well to about 300yds., after that a .22-250 works very well. I would think you will be best suited staying with the .22 cal lineup as anything larger will descimate the smaller game you listed.

Answer 5

if you are wanting only one rifle for all the animals metioned then the only one that would fit the bill is 22 mag.and marlin makes a dandy that would fit into your 300 dollar limit.for coyotes and fox use the hollow points with a well placed shot in the head or vitals.for the small game use solids .the down side of the 22 mag is that shots will have to limited to about 125 yrds.good luck

Answer 6

The one best rifle for all these is a 22 WMR ("22 magnum"). Anything larger and you will be ridiculously overgunned (like a 22-250 for squirrels); anything smaller you will be more undergunned (22 LR for coyotes). Again, this is assuming one rifle for all the above......there will necessarily be compromises. Ideally you should get more than one gun as others have stated.
Runner-up would be a .223 bolt-action. You could use FMJ ammo so as to be less destructive on the smaller stuff.

Answer 7

I like the .17hmr a lot for all the animals listed, although I do consider it marginal for yotes. That being said, I'm now up to 3 yotes with it, and not a one of them took a step after being shot. I have heard from other hunters that after 125 yards or so it is not nearly as effective on them. All of my shots have been in the 75-85 yard range. The other problem is that it is very susceptible to wind drift. :(

Of your list of animals, most of the centerfire varmint rounds are overkill if you expect to get any of the meat from the animal. Not much left of a squirrel after a .223 hits it. The .17hmr is punching quarter size groups at 150 yards and more than suits my needs for critters.

Answer 8

You are looking at a wide range of shooting there coyotes are one maybe two shots per stand of 1 or more hours. PDogs are shots from 50yards to 1000+ yards and many come in rapid succsion. Fox are just like yotes. squirrels and rabbits are about the same they can be fast and fun or slow and boring.

I think the best all around varmint rifle right now is a Savage model 12 LRPV or Remington 700 VLS in 223 Rem. With a Weaver grand slam 6.5-20 or A bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40mm scope. You are also going to need a 13-27" swiveling bipod for yotes and a portable bench and sand bags like a dog-gone-good bag http://www.dog-gone-good.com/ for pdogs. You are also going to need a good high quality padded sling.

I am telling you a 223 is one of the best if not the best all around varmint cartridge. I shot a Ground hog (15LBS) at 200 yards with my 223 and it strung his guts out behind him for 10ft. I was shooting 50gr Hornady V-max moving right along at 3402 fps.

Ok people He asked for a RIFLE did he not. no one here is saying anything about a rifle just cartridges.

Answer 9

You can't go wrong with a 22-250 although, in my opinion, it's a bit excesive for rabbits and especially squirrels. A simple .22 at the appropriate ranges is probably an all around best.

Answer 10

if you are trying to do an all in one, for the coyotes prairie dogs, fox, squirrels, and rabbits, the 22-250 is ok, but not the qreatest. a 17hmr is a really good choice. but i would think you would need more than just one gun for all of them. a shotgun for rabbits, and squirrel. and a .22 for squirrel if you are a good shot. and a 30-06 is what you want for the varmits. its got great distance, and deadly accuracy.