Varmint caliber?

[Rocky Raab]

Baylian, I do live here, and have 20 years experience at it.

Take what skb, catfish and sd said as gospel. Pick up your favorite sporter-weight .223 bolt gun, top it with the best 3-9 or 4-12 glass you can afford and you will be armed for 98% of all varmint shooting that happens (not only out here but anywhere).

Don't fret about twist rate, either. The .223 is best suited for 50-55 grain bullets and the standard twist rate (usually 1-12) is perfect.

You'll start reloading soon enough if you shoot PDs, believe me. But in the meantime, see if your rifle prefers either Winchester white box (generic) or Black Hills blue box (reloaded) ammo. Likely it will shoot both kinds very well indeed - and either one is all you'll ever really need.

That's it. Welcome to the Red Mist Society!