Thread: Pest rifle recommendations

Morning all

I've got myself covered with the bigger calibre bang sticks....but i'm wanting something to take care of the smaller stuff like goats
and other nuisances such as magpies, hares out to a distance etc. We have property on the West Coast so mostly paddocks and riverbeds etc.

I've got a couple of .22LR's but have been thinking about a .17HMR, .22 Hornet, 22-250 or maybe just get a .223.
All very accurate in the right hands and it would possibly come down to the varied availability of cartridges for each calibre.

Can I get your input please?.

17 or 223 (hell ideally both)

for rabbits. the 17 is awesome. But it is a better 22lr in that sense.

if its more goats, a 223 would probably make more sense.

223 is legal on public land.

.223, especially if you reload. And a .17HMR - for littler, more distant critters that don't quite need a centrefire.

where is the 30-06 option

With price of 17 ammo now, I’d get a 223

I do a lot of work for professional pest controllers, almost all go 223 tikka in this instance. Cheap available ammo and you really do have to go some to beat a Tikka for the money.

It's tough to beat the .223 for versatility especially on smaller game.

223 and factory 55gr sp......all bases covered.

Most if not all the contractors I work with use a 223, versatile and gets the job done.

.223 forsure

No shot gun?

223 tikka,cover all small game and tip a deer over if need be.Have a look at Tahrs posts on pest control on deer.

22-250 is waaaay cooler

Yep 22-250 for me

If you are doing high volume the .223 is the cheap option. Plenty of cases around, low powder charges and small rifle primers cheaper and available. Cheaper ammo too if you don't hand load. Nothing obnoxious about the .223 and you can go for a shorter barrel if you want. There is no real world advantage for anything bigger for what you are doing. But get what floats your boat.

Ive got a neat little .17 TBolt but hardly use it 'cos of the .223' versatility. I should actually get rid of most of my bigger guns too 'cos the .223 is more often than not doing their work for them nowadays.