Ownership of rural property requires plenty of self-reliance, as well as a commitment to stewardship, including the management of pests and varmints.
A great rifle can be one of a landowner’s most effective tools for keeping in check populations of destructive wildlife. Here, we’ll offer a rundown of some of the most popular calibers for this utility.
First, though, let’s define our potential targets. Definitions of terms like pest and varmint will vary depending on who you’re talking to, but in general these labels apply to animals such as ground squirrels, gophers, porcupines, skunks and coyotes. When it comes to caliber selection, impassioned opinions abound, but the following options tend to dominate conversations:
.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire
Developed by modifying the .22 Magnum casing to accommodate a .17-caliber bullet, this round is known for its flat trajectory and its utility at longer small-game ranges, around 150 yards. While .17 HMR ammo tends to be expensive for a rimfire round, it can still be appreciably more affordable than centerfire ammunition. The .17 HMR developed what many shooters considered an undeserved reputation as a coyote gun; conventional wisdom suggests the round is likely best suited for nothing larger than a jackrabbit.
.22 Long Rifle
Easily one of the most common and most popular rounds of all time, the .22 LR offers numerous advantages, chief among them the easy availability of cheap ammunition and the seemingly endless variety of rifles chambered for this caliber. A .22 is also quiet, with next to no recoil. Drawbacks: shorter effective ranges
(well under 100 yards) and performance that’s best suited to smaller pests rather than a larger animal like a coyote.
.22 Hornet
Faster and more powerful than the .17 HMR or the .22 LR, the .22 Hornet, dating back to the 1930s, has a long history as a small-game and varmint round, known for its accuracy, light recoil, relatively quiet report, and effectiveness with a wide range of small game (including wild turkey), as well as javelina and coyotes. The .22 Hornet is powerful enough to have a following among deer hunters, but the round is generally regarded as too weak for that purpose, barring a perfect kill shot. In many American states, the round falls short of the minimum caliber for deer hunting.
.22-250
A classic varmint, small-game and coyote round, the .22-250 (like the .17 HMR) got its start as an experimental “wildcat cartridge” before catching on in the mainstream market. Known for its high velocities, long effective range, and ability to overcome troublesome wind speeds, the round is a favorite for use on prairie dogs. A consistent criticism: a “hot” round, offering up high speeds and a powerful punch, the .22-250 can shorten the lifespan of a rifle barrel; plenty of shooters, though, contend that common sense (i.e., not letting a barrel get too hot) can eliminate this concern.
.223 Remington
Developed as a military round and still in use by fighting forces across the globe, the .223 caught on with the civilian market in the 1960s and quickly became not only one of the most popular varmint cartridges – with a rep of being a great choice on small game up to 200 yards – but also one of the most popular rifle rounds, period. The .223 often gets grouped among deer rifles – and there are plenty of .223 advocates who will defend its abilities on deer – but the round is best suited for much smaller game.
.243 Winchester
Created with small game and varmints in mind, the .243 packs enough of a punch to be a legitimate (or at least adequate) deer rifle. That versatility – shooters can use lightweight rounds (under 90 grains) for varminting, and heavier rounds for deer – has earned the .243 widespread popularity. Its flat trajectory rivals that of the .22-250, but the .243 does a better job of fighting the wind.
When Evaluating a Caliber
It’s a good idea to contemplate all of your potential uses – are you simply trying to keep the jackrabbit population under control, or are you looking for a round that could also be put to use on deer? And, remember to think of a rifle purchase as an investment; budget for a scope, a sling, and a means of safely and legally transporting your gun in a vehicle.
Above all, before zeroing in on pests, varmints and other targets, be sure to consult your state and local regulations regarding hunting and shooting any type of game.
866-741-8323
Login
Back to Blog