Walking Varmit/Hunting rifle

[learningman]

If you had to chose one rifle that you would use for varmit hunting and some big hunting as well what would it be? As far as big game I'm talking about deer sized game maybe elk. I'm looking for a gun that would be good for both. I'm thinking a 308 caliber which would be a bit big for gophers and such but would be acceptable for larger game. I already have a 223 varmit style rifle so I don't want another one in that caliber. This question may be somewhat strange but what I'm looking for is a rifle that serves more than one purpose. I like the Savage bull barreled rifles but thet're a bit heavy for a walking rifle, especially if I do use it as a large animal hunting rifle. I have looked at the Remingtons and the only one so far that meets my criteria is the new VTR, but still waiting to hear more reviews about it. It is nice and lite though so it intrigues me. So ok let me have it and thanks for all the input.

 

[Pilot]

If you had to chose one rifle that you would use for varmit hunting and some big hunting as well what would it be? As far as big game I'm talking about deer sized game maybe elk. I'm looking for a gun that would be good for both.

Do you reload? If you do or if you start reloading that opens up larger possilbilities. I was going to recommend a .243 or 6MM but then you mention Elk. I would not use those on Elk, but would on Whitetail Deer, but that's about as large as I would go. For Mulies and Elk that you could also use for varmints I would suggest these, 7MM has a wide range of bullet weights:

7MM-08
7x57 (7MM Mauser)

6.5x55 Swedish Mauser (Maybe)

 

[brian923]

pluse one on the 6.5x55. in europe, its used to hunt moose, and is an exceptionally accurate round. and it has taken plenty over its 100 years infancy. its a great round, and will never be forgoton. just isnt that big over hear for some reason. it out-performs the raved .260, which outperforms the .308. as to .308 being to big for varmites... if you aint going to be eating them, anything works. theres no such thing as "TO BIG" for varmite hunting.

the other choices that are good for both, but not magnumized would be the above mentioned 7mm-08, 7 and 8 mm mauser, .308, and 30-06.

if you own and AR-15, the 6.8 spc can be loaded to hunt varmites to elk and black bear. its an awsome round. (i am expecting one on my doorstep soon!!)

 

[John4me05]

If it were me.... A Handi Rifle... You can say carry the 308 on the gun and the 223 on your back and swap if need be in under 1 minute....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I like the Savage bull barreled rifles but thet're a bit heavy for a walking rifle, especially if I do use it as a large animal hunting rifle

Get a Savage that meets your weight requirements, and get an extra barrel, barrel wrench and action vise with it, plus the other parts needed to convert it to another cartridge.

For example, you might get the Savage in .308, with a .22-250 barrel. Put the .308 barrel on during elk season, and use the .22-250 in the summer months.

 

[conw]

Handi Rifle came to mind.

 

[dagger dog]

Who made those .308 saboted .22cal
Excellerator? for '06 and .308 Win.
Haven't seen 'em advertised in a long time but were supposed to be quite accurate and flat shooting. Anyone ever shot any? If you could find some of those and had a trusty .30 cal rifle you'd be set!

 

[jeepmor]

Another vote for a Handi rifle, or a 270. Bit much for coyotes, but fine on elk with shot placement.

 

[one-shot-one]

6.5x55 if you can place your shots well on the larger (elk) game.

 

[eliphalet]

24 or 25 caliber for varmints to deer in a sporter weight in a good rifle will shoot as well or better than most of us in the field.

 

[Bear2000]

I have a Tikka T3 Varmint in .308. Just under 8 lbs without the scope, the lightest heavy barrel I could find. Ray Tanner on Gunbroker has one in stainless for $639, about $100 less than I paid at the local gunstore.

It is a VERY accurate rifle - sub MOA to be sure.

 

[Art Eatman]

I guess being a handloader makes a bit of a difference...

Anyhow, my 700Ti is certainly light enough at 6.5 pounds, ready to hunt. The 7mm08 would be more than needed for little stuff, but it would certainly work. A tad minimal for elk, but again, limiting the range and being extra careful on shot placement should work okay.

 

[redneck2]

If I were getting just one, it would be a .270 or 7mm-08.

A .270 was a flat shooting hyped up magnum before they existed. If you look at ballistics charts, it's pretty close to the trajectory of a 22-250. Plenty adequate for elk. I suspect ammo would be easier to find since there are more around and have existed at least since the 1950's.

 

[Sunray]

"...Who made those .308 saboted .22cal..." Remington and accurate they ain't. Accelerators were an abysmal failure due to the poor accuracy.
Any middle calibre(.25 to .270) in a hunting rifle(no heavy barrels) will do nicely for a multi-purpose rifle. Think in terms of killing elk first and use the same rifle and ammo for varmints. There's no reason to not use heavy for calibre bullets on varmints. Varmint hunting is great practice for larger game hunting.

 

[moosehunt]

Several possibilities. I really like the 6.5x55, but it is a bit light for elk. My choice would be a .270. I use one a lot for varmints, also for deer & prognhorn. I don't use it for elk because I have better options, but I wouldn't be hesitant to use it for such if I had nothing bigger, just load/buy the heavier bullet loads. Many folks have said that the best all around cartridge is the 30-06, but I believe that when that case was necked down to .270, it created a better yet "all around" cartridge. There probably is no "best" all around cartridge, but I suggest that the .270 comes closest. Let's say it another way: if, heavan forbid, I was told that I had to get rid of all but one gun, I reckon I'd pick the .270 to be the one to keep.

 

[Evocatii]

I use a .270 win in a Rem 700. It has served me well as an all around rifle. I generally use a 130gr bullet for elk and mulies. I like to go after prairie dogs and coyotes with a 90gr bullet. It has proven to be the "Jack of all trades, ace of nothing" rifle. I like it, but I think it burns too much powder for varmints and a smaller load would serve you better, but it gets the job done.

 

[learningman]

Thanks a bunch guys for all the input. I didn't realize that you do a barrel change on a Savage as easily as that. I did some research on it and thats pretty cool. I was qurious what caliber would win out on this subject and so far the good old 270 seems to be winning. I do have a 270 but am sitting on the fence as to what to do with it. To be honest just looking for input on my next shooter. Will most likely get something in a varmit configuration, just not sure what caliber yet. Am leaning toward a 308 so far. Its a caliber I've never owned so something new would be fun. I agree that the 270 is extremly versitale but I want the next gun to be suited for variuos situations that may present themselves during a hunt. I would love a medium contour barrel, synthetic stock, and a caliber for all occasions. I'm not asking to much am I? To many choices out there. Thanks again for all the opinions.

 

[Titan6]

If you had to chose one rifle that you would use for varmit hunting and some big hunting as well what would it be?

A 12 GA shotgun? Probably not a rifle in that particular case, unless range was an issue.

 

[moosehunt]

You stated you've never had anything in .308 caliber before. That being the case, I'd suggest the .30-06 as the most versatile .30 caliber over the big case magnums (.300 Win, .300 Ultr Mag, etc) or the smaller case .308 Win. There are quite a few cartridges in this caliber, but the old '06 is the most versatile.

 

[308win]

110gr V-Max in .308 is a great varmint load.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If you go the Savage route, you could start with .204 Ruger, then rebore to .223 when you shoot that barrel out, then go to .243 (changing boltheads) when you shoot that out, then 7mm-08, followed by .308 and .358 Win. All in the same barrel, shot out and rebored many times.

Or you could have a .22-250 with a .308 barrel.

 

[627PCFan]

May I suggest a 7mm Rem mag. Im loading 120 Hornady Vmax's for G hogs in Md. Loaded with real bullets can bag you your Elk too-

 

[mlw332]

7mm-08

 

[Clipper]

Check out a Ruger compact in .260rem.

 

[Auburn1992]

Ever hold a CZ550 Varmint Kevlar? Beautiful gun fairly light with bull barrel. .308 win or .204 is what it comes in. The one I held had a set trigger on it, you could push the standard trigger forward and it became a hair trigger (something like 14oz.)