Three rifles to cover all Uk game and vermin on a budget

[willowbank]

22LR, 223 and 308.
Would be a bit boring though.

Boring as maybe but certainly the right tools that cover everything....

WB

 

[terrier1]

22rf
222
308

 

[hammo]

Boring as maybe but certainly the right tools that cover everything....

WB

Im running
22rf
22 Hornet
204
6.5CM

One out of three isnt bad!

 

[Essexsussex]

If you’re on a budget, ammo cost is a bigger consideration than the rifle since it will soon overtake the cost of (any) the rifle.

22,
243.

This was my thinking but having recently bought 243 ammo and found it more expensive than the 270 and Swede I think it’s marginal depending where you can get it. And some would say 243 is too small for boar (I’d back mine to do the job though).

 

[moeggesit]

This was my thinking but having recently bought 243 ammo and found it more expensive than the 270 and Swede I think it’s marginal depending where you can get it. And some would say 243 is too small for boar (I’d back mine to do the job though).

I would just as easily say 308 instead, especially around ammo choice and cost, but the 243 is perfect for foxes. So maybe

22
243
308

 

[Essexsussex]

I would just as easily say 308 instead, especially around ammo choice and cost, but the 243 is perfect for foxes. So maybe

22
243
308

Or split the difference and go 270 - tbh all
Of these would do!! I’ve never had a 308 wouldn’t that work fine for foxes? Maybe not classically flat.

 

[Essexsussex]

Or never shoot a wild boar and be happy with 243

 

[bulric]

I was going to put a post up about this, so hopefully right place to go instead!

Putting serious thought into putting in for my FAC. If I don't shoot "above', muntjac:

.22rf
.222
??

 

[moeggesit]

Or split the difference and go 270 - tbh all
Of these would do!! I’ve never had a 308 wouldn’t that work fine for foxes? Maybe not classically flat.

308 Shoots the same trajectory as a 243 (less drop at long -target- ranges) but the 243 has no recoil so it’s quite sweet, while at the same time it pack a lot of punch against 22 CFs. 308 does everything a 270 does without the noise and muzzle blast. 270 Perform better than 308 at long range, but by the time it comes to its own, it’s too far to be of any use to me. I would stick to 7x57 instead of 270, but pick 308 in this instance for available choice and price of ammo.

In truth practically anything arbitrary 6mm 2200fps or 7mm 1800fps or 11mm at close to 1200fps is plenty, as long as you can hit what you’re aiming at, all about having enough penetration.

 

[VSS]

I was going to put a post up about this, so hopefully right place to go instead!

Putting serious thought into putting in for my FAC. If I don't shoot "above', muntjac:

.22rf
.222
??

You will want to shoot deer above muntjac size.
Be prepared!

 

[willowbank]

This was my thinking but having recently bought 243 ammo and found it more expensive than the 270 and Swede I think it’s marginal depending where you can get it. And some would say 243 is too small for boar (I’d back mine to do the job though).

Shot placement is key... father and I used to often shoot foxes out to 80yds ( yellowjackets) with the .22 LR that’s all we had in the day.
I’ve shot Boar with a .223 without a problem, shot from a high seat between the eye and ear and just keeled over.

Willowbank.

 

[tackb]

Or split the difference and go 270 - tbh all
Of these would do!! I’ve never had a 308 wouldn’t that work fine for foxes? Maybe not classically flat.

have a look at the 110gr VMAX ammo from hornady

 

[bulric]

You will want to shoot deer above muntjac size.
Be prepared!

Do you say this from experience?

 

[VSS]

Do you say this from experience?

I say this in the knowledge that stalking is an addiction, and it only takes one deer to get you hooked. Once hooked, muntjac alone won't be sufficient to satisfy your craving.

(You will also require an understanding wife who earns considerably more than you do in order to fund your habit, and a gun cabinet that's at least twice the size you think you need).

 

[West5575]

Interesting how many on here shoot a 223. I’m assuming that’s in a bolt gun? I’m interested in building a varmint rifle but actions are limited. We have Howa and Ruger mini actions but I’ve not tried either. Is everyone using regular short actions?

We are overrun with coyotes in my state now. I have a CZ in 7.62x39 which is fun to shoot. Was thinking a coyote/varmint setup might be fun but don’t want an AR which is what everyone shoots varmints with here. What actions is everyone shooting your varmint rounds in?

 

[Mr. Gain]

... a gun cabinet that's at least twice the size you think you need.

Never a truer word.

 

[HonestJohn]

Interesting how many on here shoot a 223. I’m assuming that’s in a bolt gun? I’m interested in building a varmint rifle but actions are limited. We have Howa and Ruger mini actions but I’ve not tried either. Is everyone using regular short actions?

We are overrun with coyotes in my state now. I have a CZ in 7.62x39 which is fun to shoot. Was thinking a coyote/varmint setup might be fun but don’t want an AR which is what everyone shoots varmints with here. What actions is everyone shooting your varmint rounds in?

The Remington 721 actions are lovely for small calibre varmint rounds, and should be easy for you to find.

 

[bulric]

I say this in the knowledge that stalking is an addiction, and it only takes one deer to get you hooked. Once hooked, muntjac alone won't be sufficient to satisfy your craving.

(You will also require an understanding wife who earns considerably more than you do in order to fund your habit, and a gun cabinet that's at least twice the size you think you need).

I fear I'm already on thin ice with my shotgun collection!

 

[thejollypirate]

I was previously 22rf, .222 and .308

Just chopped in the .222 in favour of .223 so I can dual purpose it for shooting target out to 600yrds. My .222 wasn't a fast enough twist rate to shoot heavier ammo but was deadly with a 40-50grn V-max!

 

[big bang]

Been thinking about people new to rifle shooting or who are working to a budget and want to know which three calibres to choose. Here’s my pick:

Rabbits and general vermin:

.22 rf if sound level is important. You can pick up a good used cz bolt action with scope and mod for £200. I have had a few and all shot very well. Ammo is still way cheaper than centre fire or the other rim fires and with a good moderator/suppressor they are very quiet and give you the chance to shoot several rabbits before they work out what’s going on.

If sound isn’t important then .17 hmr doubles your effective range but roughly trebles your ammo cost. Again a used cz is a good buy with scope and mod for £300 and they really shoot.

Varmints (long range rabbits, foxes and other legal small quarry).

.222 REM used rifles are an incredible bargain and can be found way cheaper than the slightly more powerful .223. Accurate .222 Rem bolt actions appear frequently at around the £300 mark if unthreaded and for £450 or so threaded with a mod. I would be tempted to buy an unthreaded rifle, because you avoid moderator rot, where the mod was left on too long and the bore and crown is pitted. A decent threading job by a gunsmith is about £80. Less if you wave ten pound notes at them.
Ammo is also less expensive than virtually any other comparable centre fire and is often discounted. The .222 was originally a bench rest round and they are usually very accurate. On a still day you will lose nothing to a .223 out to nearly 300 yards because you will probably outshoot it with your .222.

Deer and Up

.308 every time. It’s a lovely round to shoot and within everyone’s capabilities to shoot well and there are so many around you will have plenty to choose from. You see perfectly good Parker Hales and BSAs around for £150 in .308. There are a lot of decent czs about too in .308 for not much money. If it was in 6.5 creedmore, the same rifle would be £500 and you would have to wipe the jizz off it before you could use it.

By the way, I don’t sell CZ rifles and only own one in .17 Hornet at the moment. They are just incredibly good value for money used and generally shoot very well

Those are my thoughts - would like to hear yours.

“If it was in 6.5 creedmore, the same rifle would be £500 and you would have to wipe the jizz off it before you could use it.” … how beautifully eloquent