Perfect Varmint Caliber???

[Rocky Raab]

Big Joe, here in Utah you really can't improve on the 223. As someone said above, there are calibers that shoot a little flatter, there are some that shoot a little quieter, and there may be some that shoot a little cheaper.

But there aren't any that hold the broad middle ground of varmint shooting like the 223.

You can load it to plinker levels. You can buy ammo (really GOOD ammo or really CHEAP ammo) for it anywhere. It is effective on everything from mice to coyotes to rock chucks. You can shoot 100 rounds an hour in a PD town with it and not ruin it. Baring too much wind, you can hammer animals to 300 yards with it.

Heck, I go so far as to say that EVERY varminter needs a 223. You may eventually add a smaller round like a Hornet or 22 WMR, and you might need a bigger round like a Swift or a 243. But you'll always need a 223!