What's your varmint round choice? Also compare 204 ruger, 22 WSM, 22-250, and 243

FirstFreedom · September 7, 2004, 11:32 AM

Which would you pick between .204 ruger, .22-250, .22 WSM, and .243, and why?

What's your ideal varmint rifle for SMALL varmints at LONG ranges (150-400 yards) - not counting coyote-sized critters? Or do you have more than one? If you have more than one, then what if you could have only one varmint rifle for small varmint tasks - which caliber? I live in a state with contant windy-ness - is the .204 ruger going to drift a lot more in high winds than the .22-250 or .22 WSM, or .243? You can load .204 ruger up to 50 grains actually, so I'm thinking that might be a pretty decent wind-buster. And how specifically do the .22-250 and .22 WSM compare just with just each other in ballistics

Also, other important questions: Is the .243 recoil significantly more noticable than .22-250 or .22 WSM after 30-50 shots in a lightish weight gun (7-8 pounds give or take)? Or about the same? Is the .22-250 or .22 WSM recoil going to be significantly more noticeable than the .204 ruger after a number of shots, or about the same? Thanks. I'm kinda leaning towards .204 ruger, because of the recoil factor, but if it's not that much difference, then something capable of bucking the wind better with the same amount of recoil would make more sense, like the .22s or .243, esp. the .22s.

P95Carry · September 7, 2004, 12:13 PM

Can't comment on the .204 or ''Wassum'' but re 22-250 and .243 would say this ...... the 22-250 is or can be a total tack driver .. seriously so and a very useful varmint round ..... BUT ..... if we are talking long ranges at times then I think it becomes potentially unmanageable out beyond even 200 when wind a factor.... even 100 sometimes if wind bad enough. Of course with experience, ''aim off'' can compensate quite well.

The .243 (I like to use a 105 grain Speer SP bullet) will for sure have a good edge if out to 400 yds ... not wind proof but way more wind resistant IMO. Great varmint round tho maybe ''overkill'' for smaller critters.

Recoil? Well ... For sure the .243 has a bit more but ... really it is no way uncomfortable ... I would happily shoot a goodly number of rounds of either, without expecting to be ''recoil uncomfortable''.

nico · September 7, 2004, 03:31 PM

I saw a video a while ago of some guys using .50 bmg on groundhogs

. That might be interresting to try

atek3 · September 8, 2004, 01:36 AM

if you handload you might want to take a page out of the book from highpower shooters. 6mmXC with the new sierra 115 gr. bullet would be just the ticket for ultra-long range varminting. Or a 6mm Norma BR with a 105 gr. lapua Scenar would be another good choice.

atek3

El Rojo · September 8, 2004, 10:23 PM

This isn't any of your choices, but my Remington 700 VS in .308 does wonders on squirrels with 110 gr. V-max. I usually use the cheaper Speer 125. gr. TNT HPs on coyotes. The TNTs just don't blow up squirrels as well as the V-max but they put down coyotes (and one pig) like a freight train through a wet paper towel. (Yes I just made that up)

RickD · September 9, 2004, 11:54 PM

I'll be using my Savage 10FP in .308 on coyotes this fall. I won't bother to try to call them in to close.

Why the .308? Because it is my only precision rifle.

Rick

September 7, 2004, 11:32 AM	#1
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	What's your varmint round choice? Also compare 204 ruger, 22 WSM, 22-250, and 243 Which would you pick between .204 ruger, .22-250, .22 WSM, and .243, and why? What's your ideal varmint rifle for SMALL varmints at LONG ranges (150-400 yards) - not counting coyote-sized critters? Or do you have more than one? If you have more than one, then what if you could have only one varmint rifle for small varmint tasks - which caliber? I live in a state with contant windy-ness - is the .204 ruger going to drift a lot more in high winds than the .22-250 or .22 WSM, or .243? You can load .204 ruger up to 50 grains actually, so I'm thinking that might be a pretty decent wind-buster. And how specifically do the .22-250 and .22 WSM compare just with just each other in ballistics Also, other important questions: Is the .243 recoil significantly more noticable than .22-250 or .22 WSM after 30-50 shots in a lightish weight gun (7-8 pounds give or take)? Or about the same? Is the .22-250 or .22 WSM recoil going to be significantly more noticeable than the .204 ruger after a number of shots, or about the same? Thanks. I'm kinda leaning towards .204 ruger, because of the recoil factor, but if it's not that much difference, then something capable of bucking the wind better with the same amount of recoil would make more sense, like the .22s or .243, esp. the .22s.

September 7, 2004, 12:13 PM	#2
P95Carry Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: South PA, and a bit West of center! Posts: 300	Can't comment on the .204 or ''Wassum'' but re 22-250 and .243 would say this ...... the 22-250 is or can be a total tack driver .. seriously so and a very useful varmint round ..... BUT ..... if we are talking long ranges at times then I think it becomes potentially unmanageable out beyond even 200 when wind a factor.... even 100 sometimes if wind bad enough. Of course with experience, ''aim off'' can compensate quite well. The .243 (I like to use a 105 grain Speer SP bullet) will for sure have a good edge if out to 400 yds ... not wind proof but way more wind resistant IMO. Great varmint round tho maybe ''overkill'' for smaller critters. Recoil? Well ... For sure the .243 has a bit more but ... really it is no way uncomfortable ... I would happily shoot a goodly number of rounds of either, without expecting to be ''recoil uncomfortable''. __________________ Chris - P95 (P97 also!) Guns don't kill people - people kill people. NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. Rohrbaugh interest/ownership? - Rohrbaugh Forum Rohrbaugh R9 FAQ Site

September 8, 2004, 10:23 PM	#5
El Rojo Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 2,057	This isn't any of your choices, but my Remington 700 VS in .308 does wonders on squirrels with 110 gr. V-max. I usually use the cheaper Speer 125. gr. TNT HPs on coyotes. The TNTs just don't blow up squirrels as well as the V-max but they put down coyotes (and one pig) like a freight train through a wet paper towel. (Yes I just made that up) __________________ Get Some!

September 7, 2004, 03:31 PM	#3
nico Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 75	I saw a video a while ago of some guys using .50 bmg on groundhogs . That might be interresting to try

September 8, 2004, 01:36 AM	#4
atek3 Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 38	if you handload you might want to take a page out of the book from highpower shooters. 6mmXC with the new sierra 115 gr. bullet would be just the ticket for ultra-long range varminting. Or a 6mm Norma BR with a 105 gr. lapua Scenar would be another good choice. atek3

September 9, 2004, 11:54 PM	#6
RickD Junior member Join Date: November 19, 1999 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,920	I'll be using my Savage 10FP in .308 on coyotes this fall. I won't bother to try to call them in to close. Why the .308? Because it is my only precision rifle. Rick