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.

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Originally Posted by Fssprecision

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.

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Can't argue with that, my centrefires are both Tikka tx3.

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Originally Posted by zimmer

No shot gun?

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Yep Winchester 1200 pump and an o/u. Not gonna knock hares over at 100m plus though mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Twodiffs

Yep Winchester 1200 pump and an o/u. Not gonna knock hares over at 100m plus though mate.

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Years ago I used to go out with the rabbit board guys (back in the "day"). They carried a shotgun, I carried my 22. Outcome - the dogs got the bloody lot.

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Originally Posted by Twodiffs

Yep Winchester 1200 pump and an o/u. Not gonna knock hares over at 100m plus though mate.

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feed them with falcon sp36 in lead #3 and you will be surprised just how far you can tip them over with full or 3/4 choke

You might want to include the 204 Ruger in your options. There is currently 3 on the yellow site. Ammo is available, reloading is cheap. In the performance department it will only be beaten by the 22250, But at a much higher cost.

Ive shot rats, meerkat, rabbits, monkeys, warthog, Jackal, springbuk and even 3 Kudu with mine. Shot placement in important though.

Rabbits are within range up to 600 meters.

If I have to choose a calibre from your list - it will be the 22250.

I've got 2 of the rifles on your list that I use for the pests you mention I've got a 223 and 22 hornet. For simplicity Id say get the 223 If your into fiddling around and work within its limits the hornet is a good round as well. Cheap to reload but if you try and reload for one you'll end up loving it or hating it.

Tikka 223 is the easy option, cheap factory ammo being the main draw card.

If you want some pizazz 204 Ruger would be a great option for smaller pests, youll probably want to reload though.

Definitely grab your self a Howa mini in 223.

Thanks for all the tips and comments, very much appreciated.