featherweight model 70 for varmints?

[mainecoon]

Obviously it's a good choice for deer, but could I also use a lightweight 243, such as the Model 70, for varmints and occasional target shooting? Or would I be better off getting a heavy barreled varmint rifle in the same caliber? Lugging the varmint rifle through the woods would be kind of a drag. Is the muzzle flip from 243 small enough that I could use a lightweight rifle for varmint/target shooting?

 

[HOOfan_1]

Lightweight barrels can be plenty accurate

 

[Gtscotty]

My M70 .243 Featherweight is quite accurate, it really likes 70 - 85 gr pills. That bullet weight should be perfect for coyotes, and some of the larger varmints not found around here. The barrel does heat up pretty fast, but that's just the nature of the beast with a lightweight rifle.

 

[jmr40]

For a walking around rifle and shots at reasonable ranges it would be a fine choice. Recoil and muzzle flip will be almost non existant in a FWT. They are not especially light by modern standards, much closer to most standard weight rifles made today. There are many options that would be much lighter.

For extreme long range a heavier barreled gun would be easier to hold steady and would resist heating up after multiple shots. But not necessarily more accurate, at least for 2-3 shots.

 

[witchhunter]

The problem with lightweight barrels is they get hot quicker than fat barrels. So it would depend on what varmints you are shooting. If you are shooting strings of shots, like a typical prairie dog shoot, not so good. But spot and stalk or calling coyotes, yup. I would say anything over a 5 shot string, go for the fat barrel.

 

[Savage99]

For a all around or first rifle the lightweight or Featherweights are where to start.

Since your screen name is maincoon it's likely you will be hunting in Maine.

Some of us end up with many guns. I have hunted in New England for 60 years and I almost never use my heavier varmint rifles these days.

We carry rifles far more that we shoot them here.

 

[Savage99]

For a all around or first rifle the lightweight or Featherweights are where to start.

Since your screen name is maincoon it's likely you will be hunting in Maine.

Some of us end up with many guns. I have hunted in New England for 60 years and I almost never use my heavier varmint rifles these days.

We carry rifles far more than we shoot them here since the coyotes have come and chased the woodchucks from the meadows.

 

[desidog]

Barrel thickness is one thing; the other thing to consider, depending on what type of varmint you're hunting, is that the M70 featherweight stock has a schnabel fore-end, (which i personally love the look and feel of), but which does not work with my Harris bipod. The synthetic or sporter stocks would be better for use with a bipod.

 

[Art Eatman]

The only varminting of which I know that offers a lot of shooting in a short time is for prairie dogs. Otherwise, I see little or no need for a heavy barrel.

For coyotes, feral domestics, groundhogs and suchlike, one or two shots at a critter is about all one gets. So, no concern for heating.

FWIW, I've done quite well on prairie poodles with a light sporter. I just stop and allow cool-down time. No big deal.