What caliber are varmint rifles?

Varmint shooting is one of the few areas where calibers smaller than . 22 (5.56 mm) are found; the . 17 Remington and various other . 17 caliber (4.5 mm) wildcats have a vocal following, and the new .

What is a good caliber for small game?

17 HMR may well be the best all-around small game cartridge around and with a small, low-recoiling 17-grain bullet flying upwards of 2,500 fps this round is a legitimate 200-yard rifle. That’s much more than the typical 50-75 yard max a . 22 LR shooter can count on.

What is the difference between varmint and small game?

Varmints (CXP1) – like rats, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels. Less than 15 pounds in weight. The difference is that small game is eaten while the varmints are not. Small Predators (CXP1) – foxes, coyotes and bobcats are tougher than the other two small game and varmints.

Is a 223 A good varmint rifle?

223 Remington will easily take care of any varmint out to around 500 yards, but at extreme distances loses its punch. On the plus side, . 223 Remington ammunition is the least expensive and easiest to find of all centerfire rifle cartridges, and it comes in many variations.

What is the best rifle for varmints?

9 Best Varmint and Predator Hunting Rifles

Remington 700 Varmint SF. We couldn’t make this list without mentioning the Remington Model 700.
Ruger 77/22.
Browning X-Bolt Eclipse Varmint.
Ruger American Rimfire Compact.
Remington R-15 Predator Rifle.
Savage 110 Varmint.
Henry Varmint Express.
Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light.

What is the best gun for small game hunting?

One of the most popular is the Remington Model 870, which comes chambered in 12-gauge and 20-gauge. The Mossberg 500 is another great shotgun for small game hunting.

What do you shoot small game with?

Most hunters don’t have the marksmanship to hunt small game with a rifle; instead, they opt for a 12 or 20-gauge shotgun with birdshot (small pellets that you’ll have to pick out of your meat). The 20-gauge has been called the perfect squirrel shotgun by “Squirrel Hunting Journal”.

What is considered varmint?

1 : an animal considered a pest specifically : one classed as vermin and unprotected by game law. 2 : a contemptible person : rascal broadly : person, fellow. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About varmint.

What is considered small game?

Generally speaking, small game refers to any animals that weigh under 40 pounds. This often includes pheasants, ducks, coyotes, and more. Hunters often hunt small game with guns like 20-gauge shotguns, . Hunting licenses for small game hunting tend to be less expensive than licenses for big game hunting.

Which is the best varmint hunting rifle cartridge?

From gophers to coyotes, high volume shooting to long range sniping, no one cartridge is best for all. Here are my top five cartridges. Most varmint hunting is high volume shooting at moderate ranges. The .17 HMR, .22 Long Rifle and .17 WSM all have a claim on greatness, but the best of the lot is the .17 WSM.

Which is the best lever action varmint rifle?

Built with varmint hunters who love lever-action rifles in mind, the Henry Varmint Express is a compact and lightweight rifle chambered in .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire.

Which is the best rifle for small game?

Firing the venerable .22 Hornet cartridge, this rifle is extremely accurate (capable of sub-MOA accuracy with the right loads), has a relatively flat trajectory out to around 200 yards, and it’ll really do a number on small game and predators without making as much noise and without as much danger of a bullet ricochet as higher velocity cartridges.

What does it mean to hunt a varmint?

Merriam-Webster defines a varmint as “an animal considered a pest” or more specifically “one classed as vermin and unprotected by game law.” Because few critters are completely unprotected in at least some way, varmint hunters consider a wide range of critters as prey, encompassing everything from prairie dogs to coyotes, and even feral swine.