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.

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.

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

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?

Originally Posted by zimmer

No shot gun?

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

Originally Posted by Twodiffs

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

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.

Originally Posted by Twodiffs

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

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