What caliber other than .204 for vermin?

sharptailhunter · Post by **sharptailhunter** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:54 pm

More out of curiosity, what other calibers other than our beloved .204Ruger do you all use or would consider as your next varmint rifle for larger creatures say for coyotes and such. I'm considering a 22-250 myself.

Rick in Oregon · Post by **Rick in Oregon** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:59 pm

The 22-250 is probably THE consumate coyote cartridge. Over the years though, I gravatated to the .243 Winchester using Nosler 70gr BT's at around 3,600 fps for my coyote medicine. Never lost a dog since going to the 6mm with more smack.

A friend who's a professional coyote hunter swears by his 222 Remington Mag; he's killed over 1k with that one rifle, so it's hard to argue with a track record like that. You've got lots of choices to ponder, that's fer sure.

sharptailhunter · Post by **sharptailhunter** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:20 pm

Rick in Oregon wrote: You've got lots of choices to ponder, that's fer sure.

Yup, unfortunately the options usually are more than the dollars

Forgot to mention that I too was considering a .243. I bought my 12 y.o. son a Remmy 700 Youth model for his first deer rifle. Straight from Walmart to the range, that thing will stack 55gr V-max right in there. Even with the cheap scope that thing is freaky accurate and very deadly. He dropped his first deer with one shot. She went straight down, DRT. Too bad it's a little small or I would just use his!

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:32 pm

I shoot my 204R and 20VT more all the time, as so many do on this site. But I pull the old 22-250 out when I really want to reach out and touch something.. It has accounted for untold numbers of coyotes, etc. You will not go wrong with it as your bigger gun. I have even taken a few Mule deer with the 60 Nosler partition in it also. Works, just fine when the shot is placed right. Bill K

4JAKE · Post by **4JAKE** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 6:10 pm

Sharptailhunter,
Have you ever considered putting a fast twist barrel on your .204? A 55 grain Berger in .204 would be very close to the .243 info that Rick just described except you'd have less recoil than the .243.

sharptailhunter · Post by **sharptailhunter** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:12 am

I have switched from the standard 1:12 twist to a Criterion with a 1:11. I have noticed improved accuracy with the 40gr V-Max. My old barrel hated them. Of course, the 39gr Sierra BKs shoot very well with it. That is an interesting proposition to be able to shoot a purdy darned heavy bullet for the .204. However, I'm enjoying the lighter bullets so much for the ground squirrels. Plus, the lack of off the shelf availability of the heavier 20 cal bullets would be a major limiting factor. I have started to look into a .243AI. My only fear is that of getting the standard .243 and the .243AI cartridges mixed up... although I'm one anal dude when it comes to reloading and shooting in general.

4JAKE · Post by **4JAKE** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:54 am

Sharptailhunter,
I have both the .243 and .243AI, you won't have any problem distinguishing the two from each other. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Rick in Oregon · Post by **Rick in Oregon** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:36 am

sharptail: Jake above is right......not much chance of mixing these two up:

I also use both calibers, but note that the AI is a bit rough on barrel throats. It's too much to discuss here, but research the term "T.P." or Turbulance Point in regard to ballistics. In short, it's the point where the gas escaping at ignition from the neck angle impacts/mixes either in the the neck of the case itself, just forward, or in the leade itself. This caliber does not score well in this regard. Just check it out prior to building a 243AI. You may still build a rifle in that caliber, but at least you'll be aware of the "T.P. Factor" (and we ain't talkin' mountain money here

) and what it involves.

My longest shot ever on a PD was with my Holland-built V-Block .243AI rifle....841 yards near Havre, MT. My wife took this just as I was getting on the little rascal sitting on his mound across a long, low swale far on the other side:

Excellent LR caliber to be sure. Mine is a 10-twist, and handled the Nosler 70gr BT and 95gr BT very well indeed.

Bodei · Post by **Bodei** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:53 pm

.243 WSSM?
.223 for versatility of ammo/gun platforms/cost.

mackillan · Post by **mackillan** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:48 am

I would like a 17 HH but may have to have one built

wirelessguy2005 · Post by **wirelessguy2005** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:46 am

i happen to have a 17 HH reamer on the way from Pacific right now, then i am sending a rifle and barrel off to be chambered. Let me know if you would be interested in having one built. I worked a deal out with the smith for a special price on the chambering work, i can get you the same discount if you would be interested.

mackillan wrote:I would like a 17 HH but may have to have one built

RAMOS · Post by **RAMOS** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:14 pm

+1 on the 243, nice little deer cartridge as well.

broper · Post by **broper** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:35 pm

I have a .204 but I also shoot .218 Bee, .222 Rem., .22/.250, 6 m/m Rem., .250 Sav., .257 Roberts and I have been known to load 110 gr. v-maxes in my .270 Win.

clint85 · Post by **clint85** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:14 am

I like the .22-250 and 50 grain v-max bullets for Alabama coyotes and Barnes Triple Shock bullets for feral hogs.

GTOHunter · Post by **GTOHunter** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:00 am

I've used my Browning A-Bolt Hunter .243 with 100 grain Hornady Custom bullets for Coyotes and Deer....didn't want to switch to a lighter bullet for Coyotes so I opted for the CZ .204 "Varmint" model 527 I'm using now.My Calling Partner has used a .22 Hornet on Coyotes,a .22 Magnum and the newer Rossi Circuit Judge in 45/410 shooting the .45 pill when we hunted....He can't decide on which Caliber to stay with?

My next Caliber Rifle will probably be a .223 Caliber in either the Savage Axis,Savage light weight Hunter or possibly another CZ Model 527 "American" since they are well made and great shooting Rifles.

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