How to Choose YOUR Ideal Varmint Rifle 

Endleas wealth of knowledge

Huh? What's that again? I wasn't paying attention.

Yes he is a wealth of knowledge.

I could listen to this man all day with his knowledge and advice, so much to be learned here.

Thank you very much!

185 in one day? You must have ran into a herd lol

Are you saying the 12 gauge is not accurate?

@@eb1684 it is more difficult with a smoothbore to have small groups but at close range it swings fast and has a little more forgiveness on point of aim when firing quickly.

@@bendennis8773 I was just kidding-I think you are too. I think it is great how some people just love the shooting sports. I have been for about 65 years-when I was about 6 my father took me out back with his single shot 22 and we fired a few rounds--I have LOVED it ever since.

I do truly appreciate your help to keep my channel going strong! Thank you and God bless!

Great rifles you have! Yes, whenever I'm shooting with my buddy, his Swift is much louder than my 22-250, though his velocity is just 75 ft/sec greater than mine with the same bullet weights.

Thank you and God bless.

I tell folks that are just starting or who have questions to tune into his channel, I learned some things I didn't know about and he has excellent videos.

.17 HMR & .223 & 22-250 in my collection so far.

When it goes transonic accuracy goes to hell, usually about 40-50 yards depending on your firearm, For me personally I think a shotgun is better at those ranges, but I have a couple boxes of the copper 22s just in case. If I want to push farther than that I use a 17 hmr which handles lead free much better.

Steel cases are common to poor nations. They don't provide as good a seal as brass, and will scrape a chamber over time, but are ok for the guns they are intended for. I would not use them when brass is available.

@@GunBlue490 You are the man. Thanks again!

Yes, I have quite a bit of experience with both. The Swift is terrific, but I'll take the 22-250. It's pretty difficult to tell the difference in that small velocity.

Daisy 880 is a better choice. 760 has a smooth barrel. Pellets will fly straight by design even out of a smooth bore, but I'll take a rifled barrel every time.

@@joshuagibson2520 155 howitzer ain’t bad either just cordin what yer tryin to achieve

He was in a cameo during my recent pavilion construction video.

Hugs given!

Any good scope will withstand a spring air pellet rifle, but you must have adjustable objective if over 4 Power, or you won't be able to focus at close range. I personally like the Hawke Vantage series. I have one on my super accurate Beeman R-7, and it's very precise. Check this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qtY5OM42De0.html

That's an unfortunate situation that exists because folks either purchase cheap guns without anti-recoil stud holes, or mounts that were never intended for spring air rifles. A good spring air gun made by Beeman, Feinwerkbau, Weirauch, Walther, and others will always have anti-recoil holes milled in the receiver which receives a stud to prevent such movement. It's simple and 100% effective. I've owned a number of very powerful magnum spring air rifles over the years, including a Theoben Crow Magnum gas piston with 65 pounds of cocking effort, and never, ever had a scope shift. The bases aren't expensive, they're simply engineered for the task.

Yeah my Gamo Varmint is a really nice pellet gun....but I have to zero in my scope alot more than I should hsve to.

I'm 71 years old now it has never let me down.

I have the Savage 340B in .222 Rem and it's extremely accurate. I always shoot half inch groups at 100 yds with the hornady 50 gr vmax. Excellent on yotes out to 250 yds.

The 22 WRM is indeed a great caliber, and I shall be doing more coverage on it in particular. Be sure to watch my recent testing of WRM ammo with the CZ 457 which illustrates its terrific accuracy.

I’ve Got a Sheridan Silver Streak 1960’s 20 Cal 8 Pump It’s a Powerhouse a Few Drops of Oil Every So Often and Like You Never Needed Overhauled Yet 😀

@@chrischiampo7647 exactly; I do keep the bolt cocked when I put the rifle away too. I always liked the silver steak because of the appearance. I didn't realize 8 pumps is the max though. I pump from 4 to 5 pumps when shooting indoor pests to keep from damaging my shed.

Not forgotten. Simply not among the standard calibers found on the shelf.

@@GunBlue490 Yeah here in Australia have no trouble buying factory ammo probably easier than the .22 hornet.

Please scroll down about seven years and find my video entitled "About Adjustable Objective Scopes". Regarding scope power, look further down for "How to Choose a Rifle Scope in a Confusing Market". And, farther up, "Scope Selection Part II - Reticle Focal Planes"

@@GunBlue490 sweet will do thanks for the help

I went through three (wasted money on) microphones before I discovered the Rode. It's simplicity itself. The transmitter and receiver charge fully in about 2 hours or less on a standard USB - C, even from a USB car jack, and provide up to 7 hours of use, which is far more time than I'd ever need. Line of sight, unblocked transmission is clear way out to 25 yards or more. Turned with your body in the way, it's about half that. It's a very powerful and clean microphone. It has three dB settings for whatever works best with your particular camera. My Canon uses the lowest setting, and even then, I have to pull the sound down by 9 dB with my editing software or it'll blast and distort (DaVinci Resolve 18 [free]). A discreet stereo lavalier microphone may be connected by cord to the transmitter, which I've done, but I think folks have gotten used to seeing Rode mics on people. The receiver attaches directly to the camera at the mic input. It comes with two wind bunnies, cords, and a handy pouch. You'll never be sorry.

@@GunBlue490 Thank you for the excellent feedback. I will start saving for the Rode microphone.

@@BigTimberLodge Glad to help out.

That's impressive, but far more power than I desire in a closely settled area. That's 22 short power that's no different than a firearm.

@@GunBlue490 : FX Impacts and many other PCPs are adjustable. If needed, I can lower the FPS way down for safe shooting in congested areas.

@@DairyAirGunners Very nice option for the person who has 2K, before the air supply! I have yet to miss one though, at just $399, with deep bluing, and a checkered beech stock, and it comes with unlimited air😉

@@GunBlue490 Enjoying it is more important than how much money you spend. Keep shooting...

A Chrono is critical for accurate reloading, as Loading Manual Data can be horribly way out. When I first got my .222 Rem, Starting with starter loads, the bullets weren't even stabilising. Same problem with Max loads, then Dan Hacket who was advising me on Compuserve at the time said get a Chrono, and prepare to be surprised. I did, I was. Turned out instead of Max load velocity close to 3,000 fps, I was getting about 1,550 fps, which wasn't nearly enough for that rifling twist. Dan got me up to 3,306fps with Vihtavuori N120 powder, Remington Benchrest primers, and Speer 50gr TNT bullets, +/- 6fps. Standard Hornady Loading dies were giving Benchrest accuracy too. Oh to save money, get standard Powder Beam Scales, They're much easier to get consistent loads with, than digital Scales (you Can Get There with Digital, but it takes ages to develop a consistent technique, with Beam Scales, a powder grain difference is easy to spot). Best Wishes. Bob from Wales. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@@brownnoise357 I use my beam scale to check my Digital one. Electronics are great but gravity is more consistent.

@@Greyzonecompliant Well done. Agreed Fully. 👍 🙂🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇲

@@brownnoise357 My bathroom scale seems to lie alot 🤔

That's a problematic question. If you are indeed speaking of the .222 Remington, it's velocity and 14 inch twist doesn't permit any of the heavy jacketed bullets made in 55 grain or heavier weight. It's strictly a target and varmint round with lighter bullets of thin construction. The .22-250 and quicker twist .223 Remingtons can easily use up to 60 grain bullets of heavy construction that are marginally suitable for deer, depending on your region. Smaller southern deer are often taken with the .22-250 and sometimes with the .223 Remington, but I would absolutely not recommend such light bullets on larger northern deer. I know that many hunters use light .22 Hornets and .222 Remingtons with head and neck shots, but we have too many great selections to paint ourselves into a corner with marginal calibers.

I had a pound mix, half beagle-half brittany spaniel. Most loyal, loving dog I ever had. Wouldn't stop watching out for us until I laid him down in his bed at age of 15+. Once he was on his bed for the last time he passed away 40 minutes later. He was a trooper and never quit. Brittany Spaniels are great dogs, but so are beagles too! There are 5 sleeping around me right now.

I shoot 45, 50, and 55 grain Blitz Kings a lot in .222, .223, and 22-250 and love their accuracy. DON'T use them on coyotes. I've spoken to Sierra about them. They designed them expressly for explosiveness on prairie dogs and are not at all recommended for larger varmints. Sierra techs recommend either the flat base Spitzer #1360 or its boat tail counterpart with standard jacket thickness. Understand that, out to 400 yards, there's no significant difference in trajectory. I always prefer flat base bullets for their superior accuracy and penetration. The shank is thicker and retains more sectional density after expansion, and you'll have an easier time seating bullets closer to the lands without sacrificing neck tension with a tall seating depth. Bench rest shooter only use flat base. Expansion will be good down to about 2,100 feet per second, or about 300+ yards with maximum 3,300 ft/sec muzzle velocity out of your 24" Tikka. That's a good setup and perfect for coyotes.

@@GunBlue490 Wow! Thank you for responding and the exceptional thorough feedback which will prevent me from purchasing the incorrect ammo for coyotes. I always enjoy your videos and advice. That’s why I’m a subscriber and supporter of you and the wealth of firearm and ammo knowledge you posses and offer so freely!

I don't know what weight I demonstrated, but any will do just fine. Apply enough oil to treat whatever weight flannel is used so that it distributes fully. Reapply as necessary.

@@GunBlue490 thanks

That's quite true. Except for the .222 Remington Magnum and its relationship to the 204 Ruger, I didn't mention any of the discontinued cartridges. The Model 65 .218 Bee lever rifle is a classic and highly valued collector's gun, but few would ever consider it as a serious varmint round due to the inherent inaccuracies of lever guns for precision shooting. It was certainly chambered in better rifles, but was not a commercial success.

Only problem imho with .22-250 is so much powder shortening barrel life ? With the right bullet, is there any advantage over .222 or .223 ? My .222 takes Foxes out no Problem at night at 300 yds (the max range for safe identity and background while lampung in the Dark, and in daylight out to 450+ yds withn50gr Speer TNT bullets. That's cheap shooting with bulk bullets, 20 grain ish powder loads and Remington match primers - 10,000 plus rounds through the barrel, and still great accuracy. Remington 700 BDL rifle, so decent steel. I suppose it depends just how much Varmint shooting you have to do, I suppose. Plus there's the issue with some superb bullets, that you have to keep the velocity below 3,500 fps, or poof, bullet gone in flight. Best Wishes. Bob from Wales. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Excellent Summary. 👍

​@@brownnoise357 There's no question that the barrel life of a 22-250 cannot compare with a .222 or .223, the latter being "standard" bore to chamber ratio, as intended for sustained military use. That's not to say that careful discreet shooting with the .22-250, avoiding punishing heat from sustained strings of rapid shooting, can't provide a very long number of years' use. My late friend had well over 6,000 rounds on his Remington 700 and was still shooting bench rest. The clear advantage is simply range and power, and nothing more. If you don't require another 150 yards and such a hard striking bullet on larger game, and if your shooting style requires unfettered trigger time, there's no point. As far as barrel steel goes, nobody in the business makes their steel blanks and they all purchase the necessary barrel stock to sustain SAAMI and CIP testing from the same industry sources.

@@GunBlue490 Good points. And I did fancy a .22-250 tbh. And sort of got close to it with my Varberger in .243 Win. It helped my local Firearms Licence Unit, by having one rifle for Foxes and Deer, instead of one for each. tbh, I couldn't afford 2 Rifles at the time either, and what a fantastic cartridge for both. I ended up later with a 7mm-08 for deer culling at longer ranges in a Browning A Bolt rifle, another outstanding cartridge. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇲

That's quite true. Unfortunately, they are also the leading killers of our most beloved and beautiful song birds that grace our lives, and our game birds, too. As a cat owner and lover, I understand their cunning and skill and keep them in the house, where they endanger nothing, and are endangered by nothing. In my region, they are immediately threatened by a host of predators when allowed outdoors, becoming food themselves. House cat is the appropriate name.

It's a 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, which is ballistically the same as any 22 WMR of the same barrel length. The HK 300 is simply an autoloading action that feeds the next round without manual intervention, which is rather unnecessary for a varmint rifle. H&K is a company that makes high priced, high quality guns with an emphasis on military style firearms. It's a good rifle, but has no particular features of any value to the varmint hunter. With only a 19 inch barrel, it doesn't provide the velocity potential of most rifles chambered in the same cartridge.

@@GunBlue490 Thank you

I would truly love to do that, but I cannot receive guns, even if shipped through a dealer, nor can I work on them, even if received in person. I would require an FFL Gunsmith license. FFL laws are very specific about that.

@@GunBlue490 would have just sent the trigger assembly