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Varmit rifle ideas
Posted on 2/13/26 at 10:33 pm
Posted on 2/13/26 at 10:33 pm
I’m toying around with an idea on a small calibre varmint rifle.
I really like a 22 mag and currently only have the ability to shoot it in a pistol so I got a fair amount of it around.
So I’m considering the savage A22. It comes with an adjustable trigger. Fluted barrel and threaded. And it’s semi automatic with a Picatinny rail.
Am I missing something? obviously it seems like it has everything. Except an optic.
What do you use for your smaller calibre needs?
I really like a 22 mag and currently only have the ability to shoot it in a pistol so I got a fair amount of it around.
So I’m considering the savage A22. It comes with an adjustable trigger. Fluted barrel and threaded. And it’s semi automatic with a Picatinny rail.
Am I missing something? obviously it seems like it has everything. Except an optic.
What do you use for your smaller calibre needs?
This post was edited on 2/13/26 at 10:34 pm
7
Posted on 2/13/26 at 11:14 pm to SenseiBuddy
What's the target animal?
Posted on 2/14/26 at 12:32 am to Captain Rumbeard
Squirrels at the smallest, bunch of small hogs in my area.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 7:23 am to SenseiBuddy
Few years back I put a savage 12FV 22-250 in a heavier Boyd’s stock and bedded/pillared it. It is a heavy setup but the bullet holes touch at 100 yards. It would be too much for squirrels but everyone loves shooting it.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 7:32 am to SenseiBuddy
.22 mag is excellent for hogs. Ive had a few of them and it was always a chore to get really good accuracy from them. The ammo is a problem for shooting tiny groups but for general purpose varmint killing its the best rimfire IMO. I swapped to 17hmr for much lower ricochet risk.
Far as the rifle goes, why not get a savage bolt action? Itll probably be more accurate and definitely will be more reliable. They're pretty damn cheap. I have one in 17hmr and it shoots pretty well.
Far as the rifle goes, why not get a savage bolt action? Itll probably be more accurate and definitely will be more reliable. They're pretty damn cheap. I have one in 17hmr and it shoots pretty well.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 7:32 am to SenseiBuddy
22 mag is a bit intense for squirrels, I'd think
Posted on 2/14/26 at 7:36 am to TygerLyfe
quote:
22 mag is a bit intense for squirrels
If you want to eat them, you have to use jacketed bullets and shoot them in the head. Hollow points and body shots is very messy.
.22 mag is pretty damn powerful. Its the weapon of choice for deer outlaws. Great for pigs, especially in places or seasons that have rimfire restrictions. It doesnt get the attention it deserves as a SHTF caliber either. It can be used for anything east of the mississippi.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 9:22 am to SenseiBuddy
I have a Rem 597 bull barrel in .22 WMR. They have been discontinued and had a bad reputation. Mine on the other hand is a tack driver and never had reliability issues. My biggest complaint is that they do not have a high capacity mag for it, but even on fast and furious shooting days my three mags are enough fun.
It is a nutria killer for sure. I think it destroying a lot of meat on a squirrel is a little overblown. The point of a rimfire for me is to take good shots to reduce any meat contamination so go for the head.
I also have a BCA .22 WMR AR and I love it, but it a little heavier than I would like, other than that it is a blast to shoot and pretty reliable.
It is a nutria killer for sure. I think it destroying a lot of meat on a squirrel is a little overblown. The point of a rimfire for me is to take good shots to reduce any meat contamination so go for the head.
I also have a BCA .22 WMR AR and I love it, but it a little heavier than I would like, other than that it is a blast to shoot and pretty reliable.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 4:45 pm to SenseiBuddy
22ARC is a fun round to shoot
Posted on 2/14/26 at 4:49 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:way too loud. Unpleasant to shoot. 22mag is the varmint standard for a reason, although the most fun to shoot is 17HMR which is a nutria rat rolling machine and it shoots so flat even I can hit what I’m aiming at.
22-250
Posted on 2/14/26 at 9:34 pm to SenseiBuddy
Then a Ruger 10-22. You'll have fun with it. Take only head shots on pigs. Put it right under the earhole.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 11:37 am to SenseiBuddy
Nothing wrong with 22mag.
I prefer 17hmr. Shoots flatter, little bit more accurate- but if you're only shooting inside 100 yards its close depending on the gun.
Had a Rem 597 17HMR for years, was amazing, sold it during divorce. Always regretted it.
I have a Savage 93r17 with the upgraded stock and heavy barrel. Absolute tack driver. Headshots on squirrels is so satisfying.
I have killed everything from squirrels, coons, nutria, beavers, coyotes, and pigs with 17HMR.
It is my go to. If I'm specifically after anything bigger I use my 204 Ruger. Which is amazing. But way too much for squirrels/rabbits.
I prefer 17hmr. Shoots flatter, little bit more accurate- but if you're only shooting inside 100 yards its close depending on the gun.
Had a Rem 597 17HMR for years, was amazing, sold it during divorce. Always regretted it.
I have a Savage 93r17 with the upgraded stock and heavy barrel. Absolute tack driver. Headshots on squirrels is so satisfying.
I have killed everything from squirrels, coons, nutria, beavers, coyotes, and pigs with 17HMR.
It is my go to. If I'm specifically after anything bigger I use my 204 Ruger. Which is amazing. But way too much for squirrels/rabbits.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 2:13 pm to SenseiBuddy
Have an A22. No accuracy issues. Never shot pass 100yds though. Biggest pig for me was with it a vital shot while it was trotting broadside at about 40 yds. Didn’t go far.
Use the A22 ammo they released. Don’t remember the maker, but it was branded for the A22.
Squirrels head shot if possible or it does do some damage.
Use the A22 ammo they released. Don’t remember the maker, but it was branded for the A22.
Squirrels head shot if possible or it does do some damage.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 3:05 pm to SenseiBuddy
I work with a felon who hunts with an air rifle. He's pretty successful.
He has an AirForce Texan and it's a beast. I shot a few iguanas with it in Florida. Total devastation.
I'll admit that it was a pain in the arse having to refill the air every few shots. That really is and was the only issue I had with it.
He has an AirForce Texan and it's a beast. I shot a few iguanas with it in Florida. Total devastation.
I'll admit that it was a pain in the arse having to refill the air every few shots. That really is and was the only issue I had with it.
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