Varmint Rifle

[Beck]

I have been thinking about buying a varmint rifle, something I can bring to Africa. As far as a cartridge I like the .22-250, but I am not sure if that is a good choice because of ammo availability? I hand load so in theory it shouldn't matter, but any recommendations?

 

[K-man]

On another thread there is about 9 pages about the 6.5 creedmoore....
Seriously, your .22-250 is a bit hot for Africa because of damage to the capes. You might just want to use the rifle you are already carrying and work up a solid for it. Much better to carry one rifle through the airport and have enough gun for when something bigger steps out.

 

[John the Electrician]

My understanding and personal experience is that the .243 (gasp!) is a decent crossover varmint to medium game rifle. Maybe that would fill this niche for you.
John

 

[Silvine]

.204 Ruger in a savage 12 is the best bang for your buck. The .204 with 39gr SBKs or 40gr Vmaxes beats the .223 in trajectory and BC. The splat factor is amazing. It's my #1 recommend prairie dog cartridge.

​

 

[mark-hunter]

Have you hunted in Africa before?
What animals you want to take?
Then somebody can give better answer.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

We use a 22 hornet a lot
For guinnea fowl up to impala
Ammo can be a pain sometimes but we have sorted a load now that works well

 

[Beck]

Have you hunted in Africa before?
What animals you want to take?
Then somebody can give better answer.

Yes, I have been to Africa before. This would be for the tiny ten. I have already taken a common duiker and a steenbuck, both with the outfitter's .223.

 

[Beck]

On another thread there is about 9 pages about the 6.5 creedmoore....
Seriously, your .22-250 is a bit hot for Africa because of damage to the capes. You might just want to use the rifle you are already carrying and work up a solid for it. Much better to carry one rifle through the airport and have enough gun for when something bigger steps out.

This is certainly the most common, and probably best answer, but it's not much fun... I am looking for an excuse to buy a new rifle!

 

[Beck]

My understanding and personal experience is that the .243 (gasp!) is a decent crossover varmint to medium game rifle. Maybe that would fill this niche for you.
John

I think my ph has made reference to .243 ammo being common in SA. I could be wrong though

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

We use a 22 hornet a lot
For guinnea fowl up to impala
Ammo can be a pain sometimes but we have sorted a load now that works well

And a truly unselfish outfitter like Stuart might even loan you the camp two-two (.22 LR for us Yanks) to pursue the elusive Guinea fowl. I can tell you that they do not "taste like chicken"!
They taste like ringneck pheasant.

Thanks Stuart!

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Instead of a varmint rifle, a medium caliber long range rifle would be ideal for baboons! Those are 300 to 700 yard trophies! I think from ,243 Win through 25-06 to 6.5 x 284 or 6.5-06 would be wicked on those primate varmints!

 

[Flewis]

I have been thinking about buying a varmint rifle, something I can bring to Africa. As far as a cartridge I like the .22-250, but I am not sure if that is a good choice because of ammo availability? I hand load so in theory it shouldn't matter, but any recommendations?

I’ve had just about them all, from 17/223 to 220 swift and the 22:250 is about the best. If you could get it with a fast twist barrel even better, if not the heavy bullet will be 64 grain.

 

[Quaticman]

Instead of a varmint rifle, a medium caliber long range rifle would be ideal for baboons! Those are 300 to 700 yard trophies! I think from ,243 Win through 25-06 to 6.5 x 284 or 6.5-06 would be wicked on those primate varmints!

I can't comment on the aforementioned cartridges, however I can attest from my own personal experience in Namibia that my Winchester M70 chambered in .375 H & H magnum using a 300 grain Swift A-Frame had no trouble putting the pesky little buggers in the salt.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My understanding and personal experience is that the .243 (gasp!) is a decent crossover varmint to medium game rifle. Maybe that would fill this niche for you.
John

@John the Electrician
The 243 is a good cross over. I get cross over people saying it's actually a hunting cartridge for anything bigger than enraged field mouse.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[Jamie D Van Roekel]

I would go to a 243 easier to find ammo for. If you take a 22-250 or any fast rifle use Barnes bullets. Shot a couple stienbuk, a duiker, oribi, Klipspringer, and a couple springbok with a 243 and 80gr. TTSX last trip. All but a springbok, poor shot placement, had a quarter size exit. Even the Klipspringer had a perfect hide.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My understanding and personal experience is that the .243 (gasp!) is a decent crossover varmint to medium game rifle. Maybe that would fill this niche for you.
John

@John the Electrician
This is what happens when you piss off an enraged field mouse with a 243.

Photo courtesy of @CBH Australia after he pissed one off.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[Traveler1]

22-250 is great varmint caliber, heck I am shot a few deer and pronghorn with one. But if you looking a light caliber to take to Africa take a 22mag. We took my Model 94 with us. Shot all almost everything from a warthog and smaller with it in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa plus a few of our feathered friends. As for a 243 @Bob Nelson 35Whelen and I think it the best round since slice bread.

 

[CBH Australia]

My understanding and personal experience is that the .243 (gasp!) is a decent crossover varmint to medium game rifle. Maybe that would fill this niche for you.
John

Yep, the perfect crossover, a nice step up from the .22-250 and a bit more Ooomphh,

22-250 is great varmint caliber, heck I am shot a few deer and pronghorn with one. But if you looking a light caliber to take to Africa take a 22mag. We took my Model 94 with us. Shot all almost everything from a warthog and smaller with it in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa plus a few of our feathered friends. As for a 243 @Bob Nelson 35Whelen and I think it the best round since slice bread.

I shot my first Fallow with a .223, the .22-250 would hit harder.

The .243 is great for most Aussie game, not just a crossover but a good all rounder.

 

[yamoon]

I’ve never hunted Africa, but for North America game except the largest, the 25-06 gets my vote. I have owned and used a Ruger #1V in this caliber since the early 80s. Taken everything from coyotes , prong horn, to white tail with it, I retired it a few years ago, got tired of lugging the weight.
Mike

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

22-250 is great varmint caliber, heck I am shot a few deer and pronghorn with one. But if you looking a light caliber to take to Africa take a 22mag. We took my Model 94 with us. Shot all almost everything from a warthog and smaller with it in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa plus a few of our feathered friends. As for a 243 @Bob Nelson 35Whelen and I think it the best round since slice bread.

@Traveler1
Mate try a 25 cal even a 250 Savage. At least it lives up to its name without all the crap. If the 243 did the velocities Winchester claimed it may be fine but even they had to tell the truth and lower their velocity claim because even they knew it couldn't live up to the initial hype as a cartridge.
Bob