After shooting my new rifle at 550 yards at a 8" target I am pleased to enter the 6.5CM into this argument. Already got a few dogs and crows under 200. Just shot it up to 550 this weekend and it was like taking candy from a baby. Too easy. I only missed 2 out of 30 in a high crosswind. Just my .02 cent.
What is the best centerfire varmint cartridge?
- Thread starter viking499
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tactikel
Member
400 yards and 50 lbs the "best" is 6mm Rem, if you have really windy conditions a .25-06 is great.
eclarsen
Member
.22-250
Killed many a jackrabbit in Curlew Valley, UT in the 70's. Made great stew meat.
Killed many a jackrabbit in Curlew Valley, UT in the 70's. Made great stew meat.
I know the OP specifically asked about center fire rifles, and my vote was for the .22-250 and it still is, but I wanted to also say that my Marlin model 25 ( I think it's a 25 ), in .22WMR is a decent little varmint rig. Bolt action, synthetic stock, mine has a pretty decent scope and a good bipod. I'd like to slick up the trigger a bit if it can be done without sacrificing reliability.
With today's improved ammo that rig makes a nice sub-150 yard critter killer.
I know that some folks think the .22 mag is an affront to weaponry, but for some reason I've always been a fan. I have a couple of rifles and at least two revolvers chambered in it, and they have each served me very well.
My little Single Six has dropped many a pesky porcupine with one shot, and my Marlin has taken a couple of large coyotes from a bit over a hundred yards. Both were eating from a gut popsicle out on the swamp near my place. The first one dropped dead on the spot with one shot through the lungs. The second one took off when his buddy was shot but came right back. He went right down with a shot that severed the spine right below the neck.
I'm in the heavy forrest of the northeast, so that's about as long a shot as I'll ever take.
It's relatively quiet, no recoil to speak of and packs a bit more punch than a .22lr, plus I happen to be sitting on a few thousand rounds that I bought before the great .22 famine.
Anyway, just my rambling 2-1/2 cents....
With today's improved ammo that rig makes a nice sub-150 yard critter killer.
I know that some folks think the .22 mag is an affront to weaponry, but for some reason I've always been a fan. I have a couple of rifles and at least two revolvers chambered in it, and they have each served me very well.
My little Single Six has dropped many a pesky porcupine with one shot, and my Marlin has taken a couple of large coyotes from a bit over a hundred yards. Both were eating from a gut popsicle out on the swamp near my place. The first one dropped dead on the spot with one shot through the lungs. The second one took off when his buddy was shot but came right back. He went right down with a shot that severed the spine right below the neck.
I'm in the heavy forrest of the northeast, so that's about as long a shot as I'll ever take.
It's relatively quiet, no recoil to speak of and packs a bit more punch than a .22lr, plus I happen to be sitting on a few thousand rounds that I bought before the great .22 famine.
Anyway, just my rambling 2-1/2 cents....
I look at it this way: The 22-250's bullet/velocity range is 'close' to the Swift's, but
achieves this in part w/ higher max cartridge pressure (65ksi) than the Swift (62ksi)
to make up for 10% less case capacity.
The Swift, on the other hand, will beat out the 22-250 at its lower pressure by
150+ fps, and can still be loaded down just slightly to match the 22-250 -- at
pressures in the 55-56ksi range.
And that's the magic pressure number for barrel life.
achieves this in part w/ higher max cartridge pressure (65ksi) than the Swift (62ksi)
to make up for 10% less case capacity.
The Swift, on the other hand, will beat out the 22-250 at its lower pressure by
150+ fps, and can still be loaded down just slightly to match the 22-250 -- at
pressures in the 55-56ksi range.
And that's the magic pressure number for barrel life.
Float Pilot
Member
22-250 for most.
Maybe a 243win,
or 6mm Rem,
or 257 Roberts,
or a 25-06 for heavier critters at longer range.
Maybe a 243win,
or 6mm Rem,
or 257 Roberts,
or a 25-06 for heavier critters at longer range.
meanmrmustard
Member
.22 Cheetah
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