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JMO, but going after a critter the size of a large rat with any centerfire is kind of like shooting rabbits with a .460 weatherby mag.
As a kid I trapped muskrats for a living (35 cents ea.)are very easy to trap,not the fun factor of a hunt but very effective.
Thanks for all the info guys. This is awesome!! I will tell the old man that "the guys on the forum" suggest a .223!
We ended up going with the Savage Axis/Edge Scope Combo in 223. I'm not to keen on the camo pattern on the gun.... but that was the only option for the attractive price of the rifle package.
+1 on the 223. Beyond 2-300 yds, they'll do the job, but a bit more punch would be nice like a 6BR or 6PPC. The Roberts (257) and 22-250 are both wonderful, but like all hot rods, a bit hard on barrels. Then there's the cost to shoot. Does he reload? 223 is cheap and easy. 'Frugal on powder, and components are everywhere. If its in the 2-500 rnds/yr range - enjoy the hot rods. Bang for the buck, the HB savages are hard to beat. I'm partial to the Rem 700. A used PSS in 223 is very nice. An added bonus is that they like one of the cheap bulk pack rem. projectiles (50g sp) Not 52, not 55. The cheap 50g prints very very close to the custom JLK and Berger pills. 'Only down side to the varmint 223s is that they can't lob the heavier pills for the longer distance.
I have to recommend 223 for this instance, because of the price of the ammo. its going to be cheaper and easier to obtain then any other caliber in the semi-long range range. its not like hes going to be hunting game, he's killing pests. you dont want to spend a lot on pests. 22lr will also work very well within 100 yards and the ammo is soooo cheap.
No, neither of us reload. He wanted something to pack more of a punch than a .22, and we figured that a 223 would be the way to go.
I have a Marlin Model 60 .22 that was my wife's grandpas, and I purchased it from his wife when he died. It's a nice gun... but it tends to jam up after you fire about 6 rounds. It also has one of those $15 Tasco Scopes on it, which was fine until the dial decided to not turn past 4x. The gun needs some work.
I also have a Remington 700 in 30.06 which was a used gun that I purchased from Gander Mountain. It was a full package with a Bushnell Banner Scope and a leather sling. The gun is great, but I managed to drop the BDC dial in the field when I was sighting it in last year. The scope is on it's way back from Bushnell because it's a discontinued scope, and they aren't able to find the correct BDC Dial.
My first gun was a Mossberg 500 12 GA. I have the field/deer combo. The only one that I purchased new. Love this gun!!! Price was right, and it gives me no trouble. Needless to say...both of my rifles need some attention and $$$.
I digress....
- Jim
Hi Jim,
Given that neither of you reload, I'd say that's a strong argument for the 223. Ammo of all varieties and qualities are available, many are serious quality. The Black Hills offerings have been well regarded (both new and factory reload) amongst the competitors since at least the early 90s. I've not kept up w/ the latest toys, but all else being equal, if there was a 9-twist barrel offered, I'd prefer the versatility over the pure varmint twists (12-ish)
My personal favorite varmint rifle is a Ruger #1B chambered in 270 Winchester. I use 90 gr hollow points hand loaded to 3300 ft per sec. Absolutely devastating.
You could make it entertaining and use a .40 cal flintlock, any number of very fine quality long rifles available !!
good hunting !!
Cheers
Heelerau!!
My absolute fav at around 100 yards is 22 mag. But I'd go 223 for the cost effectiveness.