Favorite Varmint Cartridges / Loads?

[Adam_lee]

22-250
223

 

[lmo316]

.223, you can run it hot or slow it down. I searched for a 22 hornet rifle and brass for a while and what I did find was the prices were ridiculous. I decided to go with the.223 for the unlimited supply of brass and I played around with seafires recipes for reduced loads using Blue Dot powder. I've kinda settled on 55gr hornady SP and 12 gr BD, running around 2675 fps, Ruger American Compact, it's my truck gun outside of deer season, lots of fun to shoot, great setup for kids also.

 

[ChromeHound]

I shoot a 22-250 AI that has chronographed at over 4200fps. It's like a magicians wand. It turns small rodents into a fine mist right before your eyes

 

[Cerberus Group]

I shoot a 22-250 AI that has chronographed at over 4200fps. It's like a magicians wand. It turns small rodents into a fine mist right before your eyes

At over 4k velocity...there's a reason why 22-250 barrels don't last long.

On the other hand, they'll zip right on through most range steel...

 

[ChromeHound]

At over 4k velocity...there's a reason why 22-250 barrels don't last long.

On the other hand, they'll zip right on through most range steel...

I don't shoot it often, but when I do. It puts a smile on my face every time.

 

[JRuby]

I shoot a 22-250 AI that has chronographed at over 4200fps. It's like a magicians wand. It turns small rodents into a fine mist right before your eyes

What bullets are you shooting at 4200fps? I am curious as I am in the beginning stages of working a load up for my 22-250AI.

 

[ChromeHound]

What bullets are you shooting at 4200fps? I am curious as I am in the beginning stages of working a load up for my 22-250AI.

55 gr nosler ballistic tips for the varmints.

 

[JRuby]

55 gr nosler ballistic tips for the varmints.

The reason I asked is because the gunsmith who built my rifle said some bullets would not hold together. I was going to try some 69g SMKs. I have some BTs so I will try them. Thanks.

 

[ChromeHound]

It's true, some bullets won't hold together. Run some test loads and see what happens. I don't remember which ones, but I had bullets fail.

 

[2ndtimer]

.17 HMR in Savage 93R17TR or CZ 455
.223 Rem in Remington 700 SPS Varmint 26" heavy barrel pushes 40 gr V-Max 3700 fps or 50 gr Hornady SPSX 3200 fps more accurately. Also assorted AR's with 40 to 62 gr handloads
.243 Win 70 gr Speer TNT or Nosler Varmageddon Tipped
.308 Win Palmetto State Armory PA-10 Speer 125 gr TNT for coyotes, haven't tried it yet hoping this winter
Also have taken ground squirrels/gophers with .22 lr, 9mm, .357 mag and 10mm handguns.

 

[boattail]

I run three uppers chambered in 20 practical. My loads range from 40g down to 24g pills both leaded and unleaded. 4000 fps of squirrel splattering goodness.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

.17 HMR in Savage 93R17TR or CZ 455
.223 Rem in Remington 700 SPS Varmint 26" heavy barrel pushes 40 gr V-Max 3700 fps or 50 gr Hornady SPSX 3200 fps more accurately. Also assorted AR's with 40 to 62 gr handloads
.243 Win 70 gr Speer TNT or Nosler Varmageddon Tipped
.308 Win Palmetto State Armory PA-10 Speer 125 gr TNT for coyotes, haven't tried it yet hoping this winter
Also have taken ground squirrels/gophers with .22 lr, 9mm, .357 mag and 10mm handguns.

.308 is the universal cartridge.
Need to shoot deer? .308
Coyotes? .308
Pigeons? .308
House spiders? .308

Leftover beer cans at the campsite? .308
- video of Hk 51 full auto at night:

View: https://youtu.be/Gowc3DT_nbQ?si=8IyWGCzQtu_RgUJw

 

[ChromeHound]

.308 is the universal cartridge.
Need to shoot deer? .308
Coyotes? .308
Pigeons? .308
House spiders? .308

Leftover beer cans at the campsite? .308
- video of Hk 51 full auto at night:

View: https://youtu.be/Gowc3DT_nbQ?si=8IyWGCzQtu_RgUJw

Fully agree. Except for the spiders. For those, it's a 12 gauge with No. 8 bird shot.

 

[Horse_trader]

Fully agree. Except for the spiders. For those, it's a 12 gauge with No. 8 bird shot.

You n me in a crawlspace together would be quite the fiasco. Me with a can of brake cleaner n a lighter and you w/ your 12ga.

 

[ChromeHound]

You n me in a crawlspace together would be quite the fiasco. Me with a can of brake cleaner n a lighter and you w/ your 12ga.

No flame needed with the red cans of brake clean. That stuff kills bugs quick, fast, and in a hurry. That's my preferred yellow jacket countermeasure

 

[Dtze23]

I'm pretty "old school" and boring for varmints. Depending on distance:
.22 Hornet / K-Hornet (suppressed)
.223 Remington
.220 Swift

17HMR for me