Varmint Cartridge Comparison

[elkhunter11]

I mentioned to a friend that I had loaded up several hundred rounds of varmint loads in the last few days, and he was asking about some of my varmint cartridges, so I placed them side by side for comparison. From left to right 17mach2, 17hmr, 17hornet, 17fireball, 20vartarg, 20 tactical.

[500+BC]

Interesting Which one is your fav ? What kinda case is that 20 tactical ?

[gitrdun]

Not a single one interest me. The optimum varmint cartridge needs not be re-invented. It is the triple deuce.....222Rem

[elkhunter11]

My favorite depends on what I am using it for. For shooting ground squirrels at 100 yards or less, the 17mach2 is by far my favorite. For ground squirrels out to 250 or so the 17 hornet is my favorite. For longer range ground squirrels in the wind, or where I might encounter a coyote, I like the the 17 fireball. If I decide to do some target shooting, or shoot coyotes, where I am closer to homes, and noise is a concern, I like the 20 vartarg. For coyotes, the 20 tactical is my favorite. The 20 tactical is basically a 223rem case necked to .204" with the shoulder pushed back to maintain a longer neck. Since I started shooting the 17hornet, my 17hmr doesn't see a lot of use, since the 17hornet is superior in every respect, and I can load ammunition for it as cheap as I can purchase 17hmr loads.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My favorite depends on what I am using it for. For shooting ground squirrels at 100 yards or less, the 17mach2 is by far my favorite. For ground squirrels out to 250 or so the 17 hornet is my favorite. For longer range ground squirrels in the wind, or where I might encounter a coyote, I like the the 17 fireball. If I decide to do some target shooting, or shoot coyotes, where I am closer to homes, and noise is a concern, I like the 20 vartarg. For coyotes, the 20 tactical is my favorite. The 20 tactical is basically a 223rem case necked to .204" with the shoulder pushed back to maintain a longer neck. Since I started shooting the 17hornet, my 17hmr doesn't see a lot of use, since the 17hornet is superior in every respect, and I can load ammunition for it as cheap as I can purchase 17hmr loads.

Dude, you sound like a women who is trying different shoes, or another outfit or something that won't make her arse look too big deoending on the event that she attends. It sounds as though you might pack 6 different rifles just because you might encounter this or that. I like you, but sometimes you make me laugh....sometimes I wanna cry.....lol.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

Dude, you sound like a women who is trying different shoes, or another outfit or something that won't make her arse look too big deoending on the event that she attends. It sounds as though you might pack 6 different rifles just because you might encounter this or that. I like you, but sometimes you make me laugh....sometimes I wanna cry.....lol.

I usually take the 17mach2 and either the 17hornet or 17fireball when I head out shooting ground squirrels, and I take the 20vartarg or 20 tactical for hunting coyotes.

But don't concern yourself with my choice of varmint cartridges, my AYA is all that you need to concentrate on.

[wwbirds]

22, 22 mag, 222 rem, 223 Rem, 2 22-250's and HB varmint 243
I hate tough decisions!

[colroggal]

I like the 45-70. It's the gopher equivalent to a 40mm bofors gun.

Colin

[tikka250]

It seems im not the only one with tough decisions when it comes to varmint rifles. 22Lr 20practical 222, 223, 22-250, and 220 swift. Now that i look at the list it apears im lacking in the 17 department i sure wish ammo was more available for the 17mach2

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by tikka250

It seems im not the only one with tough decisions when it comes to varmint rifles. 22Lr 20practical 222, 223, 22-250, and 220 swift. Now that i look at the list it apears im lacking in the 17 department i sure wish ammo was more available for the 17mach2

I purchased over 25,000 rounds of ammunition for the 17mach2 when it was readily available at reasonable prices, but now that the Eley loads are very difficult to find, I am going to have to make my remaining 15,000 rounds last me until I am done shooting ground squirrels. When I start getting low, I may start shooting the 17mach2 a lot more.

[trooper]

Ive been using the .223 Rem. The brass is cheap (free) and they are easy to acquire.

[densa44]

Elk is a specialist par excellant. He was nice enough to come over to clean up some coyotes and he asked what range I thought they would be at (350+) and he came with his camo, tripod and caller. He could see the coyotes and there were at 600 M+ so no shots. I'm to call when the wind is out of either the north or East, that's not very often but those are my instructions!

He was using, well I'll let him tell you but I'd never seen the round before.

I shoot a .243, 223, and a 204 at coyotes. Elk has a wider choice.

[tikka250]

Originally Posted by trooper

Ive been using the .223 Rem. The brass is cheap (free) and they are easy to acquire.

Thats why we get 20practical and 20tactical i have well north of 800 pieces of brass and i doubt i have payed more than 20 bucks for it all!

[Luckybrand]

I've got a model seven in .17 rem handed down from my grandfather. seems like everything for reloading has been super easy to find and there are a surprising choice of .17 caliber projectiles. CFE 223 has been amazing in my rifle, 100-150 rds at gophers and haven't had any issues on multiple days. Deadly on coyotes as long as you keep it within 250yds and bonus of tiny entrance and no exit for fur sale value. I've heard lots of people complaining about accuracy and fouling problems but I have never had an issue. It's by far my favourite varmint gun.

[Big Sky]

That's not your run of the mill choice of cartridges.

I'd be interested in hearing a bit more about a couple of them; specifically the 20Vartarg and 20Tac

- what's the gun you're using for each of these?
- what brass are you using for the Vartarg? 221FB or 223 ?
Did you manage to get Lapua brass for the 20Tac or are you forming your own?

General thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[catnthehat]

I use either a Duece or a .223 for most my varmint hunting
Fir the extreme ranges I used to use various wildcats in 6.5 or a .308 match rifle
Cat

[JD848]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I use either a Duece or a .223 for most my varmint hunting
Fir the extreme ranges I used to use various wildcats in 6.5 or a .308 match rifle
Cat

x2 very good way to go,specially when the wind pops up.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Big Sky

That's not your run of the mill choice of cartridges.

I'd be interested in hearing a bit more about a couple of them; specifically the 20Vartarg and 20Tac

- what's the gun you're using for each of these?
- what brass are you using for the Vartarg? 221FB or 223 ?
Did you manage to get Lapua brass for the 20Tac or are you forming your own?

General thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I have a Cooper for each of the cartridges shown. I am using Lapua cases for the 20 Tac, and necked down Nosler 221fb cases for the 20 vartarg.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by colroggal

I like the 45-70. It's the gopher equivalent to a 40mm bofors gun.

Colin

Lol

[6.5 shooter]

.22
.17 hornet
.17 rem
.204
.222
.22-250 AI

going to buy a .19 Badger and a 6mm Norma br. this year

Got to have the right gun for them nasty critters.

[Coyotebutcher]

Wow!! I like gun a lot too, and need as many reasons as possible to buy more. But match bullets out of a .223 with a confident shooter can't be matched. Seriously? 5 diffrerent guns for different ranges? I'm sure any of the five would work for all of the ranges. Maybe not the 17mach2, but...

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Coyotebutcher

Wow!! I like gun a lot too, and need as many reasons as possible to buy more. But match bullets out of a .223 with a confident shooter can't be matched. Seriously? 5 diffrerent guns for different ranges? I'm sure any of the five would work for all of the ranges. Maybe not the 17mach2, but...

I wouldn't try a shot at a coyote at 400 yards with any of the cartridges except the 20 tactical, but it would be a poor choice shooting ground squirrels , when I might shoot 100 rounds in an hour. In reality, I could easily get by with the 17mach2, the 17 hornet, and the 20 tactical.

[tikka250]

Originally Posted by colroggal

I like the 45-70. It's the gopher equivalent to a 40mm bofors gun.

Colin

I find the 45-70 a little on the anemic side of things when it comes to big bore varmint calibers. Id much prefer the 500/416 Nitro Express (seen here next to a gopher skull)

[lclund1946]

Originally Posted by Coyotebutcher

Wow!! I like gun a lot too, and need as many reasons as possible to buy more. But match bullets out of a .223 with a confident shooter can't be matched. Seriously? 5 diffrerent guns for different ranges? I'm sure any of the five would work for all of the ranges. Maybe not the 17mach2, but...

The 20 EXTREME, newly formed case and loaded round, shown between the 20 VT on the left and triple duce will easily outperform the 223 shown with a 40 V-Max second from right. With 6-8 grains less powder it will come very close to the 20 Tactical, third from the right, and 204 R shown on the right loaded with 40 V-Max bullets and a coyote at 500 yards would not know the difference. Loaded down to near 20 VT speeds it runs much less pressure and will run cool enough to shoot gophers all day, except when the little ones come out and then I use a 22lr for the close ones.
[IMG][/IMG]

My 19 Badger was my second favorite gopher but it is gone along with the 17 HMR, 17Ackley Hornet, 17 HH, 223's, and 222's. I still have a 20 Practical but it is for sale, although it will do everything the 20 tactical or 204 R will do,and more with the 55 Berger. But then my next 20 EXTREME is going to have a 9" twist barrel so it will handle everything including the 55 Berger. I never had any desire to own a 20 VT or 20 Tactical.

Gopher shot with a 17 Hornet factory round at 100 yards:
[IMG][/IMG]

Gophers shot at the same location with 20 EXTREME
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[Doogie]

It's an addiction. If one .17 shoots well, why not another couple. Then do the same for each caliber available.

If we didn't do that what else would we ever talk about?


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[southernman]

I have a number of varmint rifles, In New Zealand I have a 22mag, .17 hornet, In Cz's, .17 fireball and .222, in sako repeaters
In Canada a .22, .20 vartarg, .223
I kinda wish, that I had not taken the .17 hornet to New Zealand, as its perfect for gophers, and NZ small game is much bigger, that most Canada small game, and due to different rules, you Can shoot deer, if you come across one, while small game hunting, have taken, several deer with the .22 mag, hundreds with the .222, (culling and meat hunting) and last visit back to the old country, shot a yearling fallow deer, with the .17 fireball,
I have a 6x45 (.223) on order at cooper, to replace the .222,
My favourite is the .17 fireball, but I haven't shot any game, with the 20 vartarg as picked it up this winter.

[J0HN_R1]

If I ever venture into the .20cal market, it will probably be a .204 Ruger or .20 Practical...

I still think the 20 Nosler is a dandy, and could also see myself wandering down that road too.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by J0HN_R1

If I ever venture into the .20cal market, it will probably be a .204 Ruger or .20 Practical...

I still think the 20 Nosler is a dandy, and could also see myself wandering down that road too.

The availability of factory Lapua cases , and the longer neck , were the factors that made me choose the 20 Tactical. I avoid the Nosler cartridges because of the ridiculous prices for the cases.

[357Maximum]

17 HMR
17 Hornet
22 LR
22 Mag
22 Hornet
222
225 Win
6x45
6x47
6mm REM

Some overlap

357

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by 357Maximum

17 HMR
17 Hornet
22 LR
22 Mag
22 Hornet
222
225 Win
6x45
6x47
6mm REM

Some overlap

357

No such thing..as overlap