what caliber is better for varmit hunting
- Thread starter ducky
- Start date
Depends on your definition of "varmint". If you mean rabbits, squirrels, and other small rodents, then I would say .22, based on my observations. I have friends who have deadly accurate .17s, but I've also seen rabbits hit by those same guns have to be finished off with a .22 after dragging their entrails for 30 yards.
However, many people (including me) include bobcats and coyotes in their definition of "varmint", as does the San Diego County Varmint Callers club. They mainly focus on hunting coyotes as a "varmint" club. If this is the case, then I don't recommend either .22 or .17, unless you are taking only head shots. I've shot 2 coyotes with a .22 mag, full frontal chest shots on both. Both ran away to die in thicker-than-thick cover where I couldn't reach them.
I much prefer it when the animal I shoot drops dead on the spot, so I'm sticking to .223 and larger for the coyote-sized animals.
However, many people (including me) include bobcats and coyotes in their definition of "varmint", as does the San Diego County Varmint Callers club. They mainly focus on hunting coyotes as a "varmint" club. If this is the case, then I don't recommend either .22 or .17, unless you are taking only head shots. I've shot 2 coyotes with a .22 mag, full frontal chest shots on both. Both ran away to die in thicker-than-thick cover where I couldn't reach them.
I much prefer it when the animal I shoot drops dead on the spot, so I'm sticking to .223 and larger for the coyote-sized animals.
I've never had a rabbit or squirrel go more then a foot with my 17. Unless you hit it the ears or legs lol. Any where else expect a big chunk of it gone
Have you taken a hunter safety course? The course will help you so that you will have a better understanding of what type of guns you would use in different hunting situations. Also you will need to take the course before you will be able to buy a hunting license.
I'm with Taft on this one. I've never had any problems anchoring small game / varmints with my .17. It has superior KE and balistic performance over a 22 LR.
Lungpopper said:
+1. Doug from Doug's Wilderness Adventures has classes every so often in Descanso. My dad, brother, mom, sister in law, cousins, all went there and loved it. Very helpful and very knowledgeable guy. Tell your pops to set it up and you both can go!