There are roughly two dozen centerfire cartridges, in the .17 to .25 bore range, that could be used for long range varmint hunting. As a practical matter, only five of these are, or are likely to be, heavily used for the purpose: the .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, 22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester and .25-06 Remington. All others are obsolete, almost defunct, or occupy only a small niche position in the varmint cartridge category.

(I am not discounting the suitability of lower power centerfire and rimfire cartridges for short to moderate range varmint hunting. Rather, the focus of this article is on high intensity, long range cartridges.)

The .223 Rem. and .22-250 Rem. far eclipse all other cartridges in the .22 bore size in popularity and therefore in commercial ammunition and production rifle availability. The .243 Win. and .25-06 Rem. are the only popular cartridges with duel varmint and game animal hunting capability, which makes them relevant for this article. (There are very light weight bullets and even some commercial varmint loads made for larger caliber cartridges, but these are more a curiosity or novelty than a real force in varmint hunting.)

The .204 Ruger is the only other high intensity cartridge, among those of .22 caliber or smaller, for which a reasonable number of production rifles and commercial ammo loads are offered; thus it rounds out the cartridges selected for this article.

I used recipes for strongly performing hand loads as a basis for calculating external ballistics of the various cartridges and loads, rather than using selected commercial loads. I did this because I know that many serious varmint hunters reload, tuning the ammo to meet their needs and preferences. In addition, high volume shooters can save money by reloading, versus buying large amounts of commercial ammo. (See The Basic Economies of Reloading for more information on cost savings from reloading.)

I compared recipes for each cartridge and bullet weight from the Hodgdon and Nosler on-line load data sites, the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (10th edition) and the Lyman Reloading Handbook (49th edition).

The muzzle velocities (MV) for the loads listed are not the absolutely highest MVs found in any of the load tables. Rather, the MV listed for each load is that achieved or exceeded by maximum charges of five or more powders listed in one source, or three or more powders in each of two sources. I express the threshold MVs of these loads in 50 or 100 fps increments, for convenience. For instance, the first load listed, the .204 Ruger with a 32 grain bullet at 4050 fps MV, means that I found three or more specific loads, listed in each of the two sources noted, that get 4050 fps or higher MV.

The data for each cartridge starts with the bullet weight and type, the MV that can be attained by several loads, the bullet ballistic coefficient (BC) and the +/- 1.5" (3" target diameter) maximum point blank range (MPBR) of the load. Then I note the source(s) of the MV data.

The trajectory data for the bullet is listed in 100 yard increments, out to 500 yards. Elevation of the bullet (with the rifle sighted in for the stated MPBR) is noted at each 100 yard increment, along with windage (a 10 mph, 90 degree cross wind).

Data on bullet velocity and energy downrange is not included, because I do not see the relevance of this data for most loads. Most varmints are not very large, so any of the cartridge/load combinations have enough explosive impact power to dispatch them at any practical range.

I included the trajectory data for 300, 400 and 500 yards for full disclosure regarding the bullet drop and wind drift (if relevant) that will occur if one takes extreme range shots at varmints. Most of the loads have MPBRs that fall between 250 and 270 yards, so I would call any distance over 300 yards extreme.

I do not believe in shooting at game animals beyond the MPBR of the cartridge/load being used (and closer is better), but I do not have the same bias against extreme range shots at varmints. The data shows, though, that bullet drop and potential wind drift are substantial at extreme ranges, which makes for very difficult shots on small targets.

.204 Ruger

32 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 4050 fps; BC .206; MPBR 271 yards (Based on Hodgdon and Nosler load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.2 / 1.1
• 200 > 1.0 / 4.4
• 300 > -3.2 / 10.6
• 400 > -12.8 / 20.4
• 500 > -30.2 / 34.4

40 gr. Hornady V-Max, MV 3800 fps; BC .275; MPBR 268 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.2 / 0.8
• 200 > 1.0 / 3.5
• 300 > -3.2 / 8.1
• 400 > -12.2 / 15.2
• 500 > -27.4 / 25.2

What strikes me most about the data summary for these loads is that both begin to fall apart as the range approaches 400 yards. Extreme range bullet drop and susceptibility to wind drift are pronounced for both, but worse for the 32 grain bullet load. Using a .204 Ruger for extremely long shots is an iffy proposition, especially if there is a significant crossing wind to be factored into shot placement.

Reloading considerations

There are not many options in .204 Ruger brass, so it tends to be expensive and availability is sometimes sketchy. Common weights of varmint bullets available are 32, 35 and 39-40 grains. Not many brands and types are offered, but the ones available are of reputable brands and proven designs.

Load tables consulted indicate that powders yielding high velocity in the .204 Ruger include BL-C(2), CFE223, H335, H4895, RL-15 and Win 748. Good powders for the cartridge are not limited to those listed; they are simply the ones that were listed most frequently in the load tables I used.

.223 Remington

40 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3700 fps; BC .221; MPBR 253 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 1.1
• 200 > 0.6 / 4.5
• 300 > -4.6 / 10.9
• 400 > -16.1 / 20.8
• 500 > -36.2 / 35.3

50 gr. Hornady V-Max, MV 3400 fps; BC .242; MPBR 238 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 1.1
• 200 > 0.2 / 4.6
• 300 > -6.1 / 10.9
• 400 > -19.4 / 20.8
• 500 > -42.1 / 35.1

55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3200 fps; BC .267; MPBR 229 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.4 / 1.1
• 200 > -0.1 / 4.4
• 300 > -7.2 / 10.5
• 400 > -21.6 / 20.0
• 500 > -45.8 / 33.5

60 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3100 fps; BC .270; MPBR 223 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.4 / 1.1
• 200 > -0.3 / 4.6
• 300 > -8.0 / 10.9
• 400 > -23.5 / 20.6
• 500 > -49.4 / 34.6

I have come to think of the .223 Rem. as the .22 caliber varmint equivalent of the .30-30 Win. deer cartridge. It is not the biggest, fastest, or sexiest thing in its bore size, but it is a no-nonsense workhorse cartridge. The limitation that must be recognized here is that the .223 Rem. does not perform well at ranges exceeding 300 yards. Bullet drop and wind drift become pronounced at extreme ranges.

Reloading considerations

Brass and bullets for the .223 Rem. can be found under almost any rock or leaf. Bullet options in 40, 50, 53, 55, 60, and 62 grain weights are many and varied. Heavier bullets are available, but these are mostly designed for target or medium game shooting.

Load tables consulted indicate that powders yielding high velocity in the .223 Rem. include AA-2015, Benchmark, CFE223, Power Pro Varmint, TAC and Win 748.

The .223 Remington versus the .204 Ruger

For many who hunt smaller varmints at normal ranges, the choice of a cartridge may boil down to these two. See Compared: The .204 Ruger and .223 Remington for a detailed direct comparison of these cartridges.

.22-250 Remington

50 gr. Hornady V-Max, MV 3800 fps; BC .242; MPBR 263 yards (Based on Hodgdon load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.2 / 1.0
• 200 > 0.8 / 4.0
• 300 > -3.7 / 9.4
• 400 > -13.6 / 17.8
• 500 > -30.8 / 29.9

55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3650 fps; BC .267; MPBR 258 yards (Based on Lyman and Nosler load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.2 / 0.9
• 200 > 0.7 / 3.7
• 300 > -4.1 / 8.8
• 400 > -14.4 / 16.6
• 500 > -31.7 / 27.7

60 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3550 fps; BC .270; MPBR 252 yards (Based on Lyman and Nosler load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 0.9
• 200 > 0.6 / 3.8
• 300 > -4.6 / 9.0
• 400 > -15.5 / 17.0
• 500 > -33.9 / 28.4

Comparison of same bullet weight loads (50, 55 and 60 grains) for the .223 Rem. and .22-250 show the differences favoring the latter cartridge. It offers about 30 yards longer MPBR and 5 to 6 inches less wind drift at 500 yards. Clearly, the .22-250 is a better tool for taking shots at extreme ranges than either the .223 Rem. or .204 Ruger. However, bullet drop at 400 yards and beyond is considerable and adjusting aim for a significant cross wind remains a challenge at such long ranges. The biggest drawbacks are annoying muzzle blast and increased recoil, which quickly become tiring in a target rich environment.

Reloading considerations

Availability and choice of .22-250 brass is not as lavish as is that for the .223 Rem., but is more than adequate. Both cartridges use the same bullets, of course.

Load tables consulted indicate that powders yielding high velocity in the .22-250 Rem. include CFE223, H380, IMR 4064, IMR 4320, RL-15, Varget and Viht N150.

The .22-250 versus the .220 Swift

There was a time when the .220 Swift was the best selling, high performance .22 caliber varmint cartridge, but that distinction now belongs to the .22-250. The venerable Swift, loaded to maximum powder charge and velocity limits, is as fast or faster than any .22 bore cartridge, old or new. For instance, the Swift will generally get about 100 fps higher MV than the .22-250 with any given bullet weight. It can easily replicate the ballistics of any of the loads listed above at essentially identical levels of muzzle blast and recoil.

The problem with the Swift was that it gained a reputation for being hard on barrels, so shooters came to favor the slightly milder .22-250, although driven to maximum velocity it is as hard on barrels as the Swift and either cartridge can sensibly be loaded down a notch or two. Chuck Hawks makes the following observations regarding this issue in his article The .220 Swift:

These points would suggest that the .220 Swift is still relevant in the high performance varmint cartridge arena, but the market and marketing facts are that the Swift is at best a bit player today. I do not see it ever regaining the position it lost to the .22-250.

.243 Winchester

58 gr. Hornady V-Max, MV 3800 fps; BC .250; MPBR 264 yards (Based on Hornady load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.2 / 0.9
• 200 > 0.8 / 3.8
• 300 > -3.6 / 9.1
• 400 > -13.2 / 17.1
• 500 > -29.9 / 28.6

70 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3550 fps; BC .310; MPBR 257 yards (Based on Lyman load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 0.8
• 200 > 0.6 / 3.3
• 300 > -4.2 / 7.7
• 400 > -14.2 / 14.4
• 500 > -30.7 / 23.7

The 58 grain .243 load has a MPBR comparable with that of the 50 grain .22-250 load and is a few insignificant yards longer in MPBR than the heavier bullet .22-250 loads. It would, therefore, be legitimate to ask why anyone would choose to hunt varmints with a .243 instead of a .22-250. The answer is that the .243 can handle heavier bullets than can the .22-250 and heavier bullets are better when the hunter frequently encounters windy conditions.

Consider the 60 grain .22-250 load versus the 70 grain .243 load; both have a 3550 fps MV, with MPBRs of 252 and 257 yards, respectively. Compared at 250 yards, the .22-250 load has 923 ft. lbs. of energy, the .243 load 1167 ft. lbs. The larger diameter, heavier bullet, with 26 percent more energy at MPBR range, has a definite advantage.

Further, the .243 load is better for extreme range shots, because it suffers less wind drift than the .22-250 load. At 500 yards, the 60 grain .224 bullet would drift 28.4" in a 10 mph, 90 degree cross wind, while the 70 grain .243 bullet would drift 23.7". A difference of less than five inches may not seem like much, but every inch counts if one is hunting in windy conditions. 80 grain .243 varmint bullets do even better in a cross wind.

The biggest drawbacks of the .243 (and the very similar 6mm Remington) are even more annoying muzzle blast and recoil, compared to the .22-250 class of cartridges.

Reloading considerations

Is there anywhere .243 Win. brass cannot be found? Varmint bullets in .243 diameter are less ubiquitous than are those in .224 caliber, but still there are ample choices of bullets in 55 to 85 grain weights; 70 and 75 grain bullets are the most common.

Caution: when selecting .243 bullets, one must be careful to not confuse same or similar weight bullets designed for varmint and medium game hunting. For instance, the .243 diameter Sierra 85 grain SPT bullet (#1520) is a varmint bullet, while the 85 grain HPBT bullet (#1530) is designed for hunting smaller Class 2 game. Similarly, Nosler lists an 80 grain .243 Ballistic Tip bullet designed for varmints and an 85 grain bullet for hunting. Similar distinctions are also found in other brands of bullets.

Load tables consulted indicate that powders yielding high velocity in the .243 Win. include IMR 3031, IMR 4064, IMR 4320, RL-15 and Varget.

.25-06 Remington

75 gr. Hornady V-Max, MV 3650 fps; BC .290; MPBR 261 yards (Based on Lyman load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 0.8
• 200 > 0.8 / 3.4
• 300 > -3.8 / 8.0
• 400 > -13.5 / 15.0
• 500 > -29.6 / 24.8

85 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, MV 3500 fps; BC .329; MPBR 255 yards (Based on Nosler load data)

Trajectory: Range (yds.) > elevation (in.) / windage (in.)

• 100 > 1.3 / 0.8
• 200 > 0.6 / 3.1
• 300 > -4.2 / 7.3
• 400 > -14.3 / 13.6
• 500 > -30.6 / 22.4

As a heavy varmint cartridge, the .25-06 is the .243 Win. taken to the next level. Using even heavier varmint bullets than the .243, at similar velocities, the .25-06 has the most downrange power and least bullet drift. (It also has the most obnoxious muzzle blast and recoil, by far, and is the least suitable, general purpose varmint cartridge in this article. Few dedicated varmint rifles are even offered in .25-06. -Editor)

Reloading considerations

There are only a handful of choices in .25-06 brass and .257 diameter varmint bullets are not as plentiful as for the .243 Win. Still, there is no real problem acquiring these components. Varmint bullet options are scattered in the 70 to 100 grain weight range, with most in the 75 and 85-87 grain weights. (See caution in .243 section, above, about distinguishing between varmint and hunting bullets.)

Load tables consulted indicate that powders yielding high velocity in the .25-06 Rem. include H414, IMR 4064, IMR 4320, RL-15, Varget and Win 760.

Overall summary and conclusions

Here are the extreme spreads of performance variable values for the thirteen loads listed.

MPBR values range from 223 yards (60 grain .223 Rem. load) to 271 yards (32 grain .204 Ruger load). Ten loads have MPBRs exceeding 250 yards; the three loads that have MPBRs less than 250 yards are all .223 Rem. loads.

Bullet drop at extended ranges is least for the 40 grain .204 Ruger load. The largest bullet drop numbers are of the 60 grain .223 Rem. load at the three extended distances. (Recall that bullet drop data are based on each load being sighted in for a +/- 1.5" MPBR.)

Wind drift at extended ranges is least for the 85 grain .25-06 Rem. load. The largest wind drift numbers are for the 40 grain .223 Rem. load.

Overall, the .223 Remington is the poorest performing of the cartridges evaluated. Nonetheless, it is very adequate for most varmint hunting situations. I use a .223 on woodchucks, but I rarely take a shot over 200 yards. At 200 yards or less, I never worry about bullet drop and rarely have to think about adjusting for wind drift. I simply concentrate on getting on target and touching off a clean shot. No fuss, no muss and the critters fall.

The same can be said about varmint hunting with the .204 Ruger or the .22-250 Rem. These shoot a bit flatter than does the .223 Rem., so no-brainer shooting ranges are a bit longer. The .204 Ruger is the most pleasant of these three cartridges to shoot and the most pleasant cartridge included in this article.

The .25-06 Rem. or .243 Win. would be better choices than the .20 and .22 caliber cartridges if one is dedicated to taking extreme range shots at varmints. The larger caliber bullets buck the wind better than do .204 and .224 bullets. Assuming that one accurately measures or estimates range and correctly adjusts the sighting point for bullet drop, wind drift becomes the prime culprit that can ruin extreme range shots. Choosing a cartridge and load that minimizes wind drift helps one cope with that problem.

The five cartridges featured in this article can be compared to the starting players on a good basketball team. Each has different capabilities and plays a different role on the team, but they can all play the game well.

Note: I have stressed the effect of bullet drift from significant winds in this article, but did not explain how wind force and direction affects bullet flight. See The Wind Deflection of Hunting Bullets for a detailed discussion of this issue.