^^^^^^This6mmBR or one of it's variants (6 Dasher, 6BRA, 6GT, 6XC, 6BRDX.....)
The OP mentioned "Classic" in his descriptions and there is nothing more classic for hunting varmints than a single shot rifle. Here is a modest assortment of singles in some long-time favorite varmint calibers including ..218 Bee. .222 Rem, .22/250 Rem, .223 Rem. .220 Swift and .6mm Rem. I once had a Ruger No.1 in .204 Ruger caliber that was the most accurate No.1 I've ever owned but gave it away in a regrettable fit of generosity. And I'm still looking for a No.1 in .225 Win if I can find one with pretty wood like these old time No.1's.View attachment 987380 View attachment 987381 View attachment 987382 View attachment 987386
23 years ago I started with 223 and would stay with 223. There have been improvements in bullet tech since that time which increase range and accuracy.
Looking on AmmoSeek and seeing all of the 6mm Creed was one of the factors that was making me look at that one, plus it looks like a versatile round.As far as a varmint/target cartridge the 223 /5.56 is probably the most reasonable priced option. Watch the barrel twist. Most varmint rifles will have slow twist barrels best suited for light bullets. Look for a fast twist 1-7 or 1-8 to take advantage of the heavier high BC bullets.
I have seen more 6mm creedmoor ammo on shelves than anyother cartridge in the past months. Ammo availability may be a deciding factor in your new rifle. Th 6mm creedmoor will give you more versatility than a 223 but has more recoil and shorter barrel life.
My favorite target rifle was a Savage model 12BVSS in 300 wsm. With your Iowa location you may have the opportunity to really reach out for targets. The new 30 cals may be your best option to ring steel at 1000+ yards.
I have killed most of my varmints (coyotes and such) while hunting deer with archery or magnum rifles... just a thought!
The OP mentioned "Classic" in his descriptions and there is nothing more classic for hunting varmints than a single shot rifle. Here is a modest assortment of singles in some long-time favorite varmint calibers including ..218 Bee. .222 Rem, .22/250 Rem, .223 Rem. .220 Swift and .6mm Rem. I once had a Ruger No.1 in .204 Ruger caliber that was the most accurate No.1 I've ever owned but gave it away in a regrettable fit of generosity. And I'm still looking for a No.1 in .225 Win if I can find one with pretty wood like these old time No.1's.View attachment 987380 View attachment 987381 View attachment 987382 View attachment 987386
This would be my choice hands down.My choice was / is a modernized 22-250, using a 1:8" twist rate barrel; it shoots 55gr-80gr very well indeed.
My choice was / is a modernized 22-250, using a 1:8" twist rate barrel; it shoots 55gr-80gr very well indeed.
Whether it's a factory rifle or not changes my opinion.I’d like to get a bolt rifle for varmints and casual back yard target shooting. Coyote would be the varmint of choice with prairie dogs as an option if I take a trip out west. I live in Iowa so my deer hunting is taken care of with a 44 mag Henry, I have a 30-06 for an elk trip scheduled for next year so I won’t be using it for any larger than a coyote. 223 is an obvious choice, but I’d also like something different. With the newer calibers available now, and since I don’t have anything in that category already, what are the opinions on something like 224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel, 6 creedmoor, 204 Ruger etc compared to the classics like 223, 22-250, 243 etc. I do reload but it’s all been straight wall pistol calibers up to this point, Basically if you were starting out on a varmint/target rifle which caliber would you pick right now?
Go very classic and becoming more and more obscure... 222.
I actually just poked around on gunbroker looking at 222’s, apparently now is a bad time to be looking for bargains even on older bolt rifles in a caliber that has become obscure! I used to borrow a friend of my dad’s rifle in 222 back when I was getting interested in coyote hunting. I was around 13 at the time so it would have been 30 years ago. I never shot one back then with it but thought it’d be nice to give the cartridge another go around.^^ THIS!
I bought my first deuce last November, an old Springfield 840, and I absolutely love it. Bar-none, hands down one of the most accurate little rifle/cartridge combos I've ever used. Quiet, with zero recoil, and quite literally a laser beam as others have said. I started handloading because of the Triple Deuce. Best part is, it's such a cheap and easy cartridge to load; .224 bullets are fairly easy to find. I like 50 grainers myself, but you might try some lighter weight ones. The .222 doesn't like bullets much over 50grs; 55 is about the max since most are 1:14 rifled.
Obligatory rifle pic:
Only one thing, you didn't mention exactly what "varmints" you'd be after. Anything bigger than a pasture poodle, past about 250 yards, is pretty much out of the question. I mostly shoot crows with mine, and looking forward to groundhogs this spring. On our small 'yotes, it'd probably do just fine. Part of me also wants to load some 55's and try deer hunting with it this fall, but I can't quite talk myself into it.
Anyhow, good luck in your search for a varmint-ing rifle; the Triple Deuce is a classic and should serve you well should you decide to go that route.
Mac
The 223, 224valk, 204 Ruger, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, and 6 ARC are all “mini length” cartridges, designed to function within the 2.3” magazine of the AR-15.
Yes - the original / official SAAMI spec had a 1:14" twist rate specified.I’d like to learn more about this, how’s a modernized one differ than the original, is it all in the twist rate?
I know several coyote hunters prefer the .243 W. They say they have fewer run offs and better performance in wind and plenty range.