whats a good varmit rifle

[stl]

I want to get a varmit rifle so my step sone and I can do some squirrel and rabbit hunting. I don't know much about varmit rifles. I have done some reading. What is the better a .22 or .17 hmr, what brand, and will one be significantly more costly to shoot. Please excuse my ignorance on this topic ,and I thank you in advance for any info. Oh yeah don't tell my wife I am thinking about buying a varmit rifle. I just bought a deer rifle two weeks ago.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

I would recommend a bolt-action .22 for what you are asking. You want something that will shoot "Shorts" up to "Long Rifle" .22 caliber shells. That gives you the most options. . .

 

[roscoe]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

yep. .22

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

.22 best bang for the buck. The .17 does not impress me and if I needed just a touch more I would lean towards a .22 mag.<br /><br />When you climb into the centerfire arena I would go with a .223 which is the cheapest to shoot due to all the surplus.

 

[one more cast]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

yup, .22 You can buy good ammo on sale at sporting stores and dept stores for $10-12 per brick. (10 boxes). As far as what brand, Thats up to you but prices can vary from as little as $100 to as much as the $1000's.

 

[llfish]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

22 bolt action Remington.

 

[Jan Z]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Take a look at the Ruger 10/22, it's a good solid dependable and accurate .22 and there are lots of fancy upgrades that can be gotten for it too.<br /><br /> http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/P-CategoryRiflesRA.html

 

[fireman57]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

The Ruger 10 .22 is a great rifle. Have had mine for over 20 years now. Theonly problem is that it does not shoot shorts very well. I prefer shorts for squirrel hunting as they do not disturb the woods at all. Be careful shooting rabbits on the run with a rifle. Don't know how you are going to rabbit hunt with a rifle but the bullet can travel miles. If you need a rifle that shoots shorts get a long barreled Remington bolt action like was suggested. When you say varmit rifle I immediately thought of a .22/250 or .243 as that is for varmits. Around here varmits are coyotes, groundhogs, and the like. Good luck.

 

[JRJ]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

A .22 can be a lot of fun and is fine for small game. For serious meat hunting, I would go with a 20ga What did you get for a deer rifle?

 

[JB]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Terminology problem. What you want is a "small game" rifle. A "varmint" rifle is a high velocity center fire rifle not suitable for small game or shooting up into trees.<br /><br />I agree that the Ruger 10/22 is an excellent choice, but it is a semi-auto. I wouldn't recommend a semiauto for a first rifle.<br /><br />A quality brand name single shot, bolt action or pump would be a better choice. My first small game rifle was a Winchester mod. 1906 (Browning designed) pump. It is still available as the Rossi mod 62.<br /><br />I think if I were buying a SG rifle today to introduce a youngster to hunting I would choose a Ruger 77/22RS bolt action repeater of a Savage M24 .22/20ga. or .22/.410 combo single shot.

 

[KRS]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

I would not let a young child shoot a .17 HMR at squirrels in trees, the round just goes too far.<br /><br />.22 caliber is best.<br /><br />I went to walmart and purchased a .22, it's made in America, called the "cricket", it's just the right size for him, it's made for kids, it's a bolt action, no magazine so each round is hand-fed, peep style sight, and it was $99.<br /><br />If you have time, stop by and see one. I don't know the age of your son, but mine is 7 (he's tall) and it fits him well.

 

[KRS]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

See here: http://www.crickett.com/TheStore/Rifles/rifles.html for the Cricket rifle Keystone Sporting Arms.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Originally posted by JB:<br /> Terminology problem. What you want is a "small game" rifle. A "varmint" rifle is a high velocity center fire rifle not suitable for small game or shooting up into trees.<br /><br />I agree that the Ruger 10/22 is an excellent choice, but it is a semi-auto. I wouldn't recommend a semiauto for a first rifle.<br /><br />A quality brand name single shot, bolt action or pump would be a better choice. My first small game rifle was a Winchester mod. 1906 (Browning designed) pump. It is still available as the Rossi mod 62.<br /><br />I think if I were buying a SG rifle today to introduce a youngster to hunting I would choose a Ruger 77/22RS bolt action repeater of a Savage M24 .22/20ga. or .22/.410 combo single shot.

My first thought what I read “varmint rifle” was a .30-06.<br /><br />I agree with all of JB’s info. For kids, I like that bolt action Ruger 22 in stainless. Got one for my kids a bunch of years ago, still looks as nice as it did the day it was bought. Hey, this is a boating forum. Not getting the stainless steel model seems sacrilegious.<br /><br />I do not like the Ruger for punching holes in paper. There are better and less expensive.22 rifles for that, i.e. one without an ammo clip.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Originally posted by Bob_VT:<br /> The .17 does not impress me

I grew up with a 22 in my hand nearly every day, was a country boy, and know rifles and shooting I have also owned 22 Mags. Never have been overly impressed with any of there accuracy abilities. I only have a 22 now, but have concidered the 17 cals. for small game out to 100 yards. What doesnt impress you about them? I hear that with the bull barrel that they are very accurate and will put the 22 mags to shame in the 75-100 yard range.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

My dad has a .17. It looks like a mini deer rifle. It has a scope made just for the round so it can adjust for yardage. So far he has punched paper at about 175 yards with it. He killed a beaver over the weekend at about 100 yards. Extremely neat gun, although I don't like rinky dinks, bigger is better for me. I'd stick with a plain ol 22, cheap is good.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Lubedude - My impression of the .17 it is a target round. At ranges of 100 yards or less a .22 mag will do the job and at ranges exceeding 100 yds the light bullet poses more of a risk of wounding than a clean kill. I have read a few articles on the .17 and people who have tried to use it on game larger than squirral. I agree it will work on squirrals at 100 yards but no larger. The regular .22 will work on a squirral at 100 yards and the cost will be cheaper. I do believe the .22 is about 3 cents per shot and the .17 is almost 25 cents per shot. At that price I will use my 30-06 or .223.<br /><br />I have played with the .17 and agree the velocity is a speed king (WOW!) but it has too many minus' for my taste. They are very picky and like a clean barrell. It is just not choice for small / tiny game. I would rather a 22 or a 22 mag. I have also read it was designed as a replacement for the 5mm remington which met it's demise. I may be wrong but the .17 is a fad that will pass.<br /><br />If you do go with the .17 the CCI TNT ammunition is the best choice... it shames the hornady varmit express bullets.<br /><br />I prefer heavier bullets and the choices in .22 caliber and the retained energy they have. Good article comparing the 2 http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm <br /><br />My aploogies to Stl for the hijack!<br /><br />Bob

 

[LubeDude]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Yes, sorry for the Hi-jack.<br /><br />Thanks also for the link, it was very informative,<br /><br />I think that for my application I will be better served by the 17 cal. I go over to Eastern Oregon and hunt what we call, "Squeeks", or "Prairie rats". They are a small Marmot, about 5-6" tall when standing. They are very much like a tiny Prairie dog. You need to shoot over 100 yards as they have become accustomed to being shot at by 22s out to 75 yards and better. So, because of the accuacy of the 17s, I think I will opt for the 17 when it comes time.

 

[maxxpower]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Mini 14 .223

 

[stl]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Originally posted by JRJ:<br /> A .22 can be a lot of fun and is fine for small game. For serious meat hunting, I would go with a 20ga What did you get for a deer rifle?

 

[stl]

Re: whats a good varmit rifle

Sorry messed up again. I ended up getting a stevens model 200 in a .30-06. Looks like the majority says 22. I know I can always get you guys stirred up with my hunting rifle questions. Thanks for all your replys