[estrack2]

My brother is looking for a nice round to be shoting 400-800 yds. with, at groung hogs and other vermin. the first and most obvious thought was .308, but with that round being illegal to kill varmints in Indiana, we need to find another round, preferably something that a rem 700 would come chambered in. Any suggestions?

[AusLach]

Look at the .260 Rem, .25-06, 6mm Rem and even the .243 Win. The .260 and 6mm won't be cheap or easy to find unless he reloads, and the .243 and 6mm will probably be running out of breath by 800 metres. There are also a host of wildcats and less popular chamberings that will suit his needs, however you'll be lucky to find a stock Remington such chambered.

My choice would be the quarter-bore

[Gordo323]

Long shots for a small varmint! I say sneak up a little closer on them
What calibers are legal in Indiana?
Say hello in the introductions thread, and I am sure more knowledgable folks will be by to answer your question soon!

[texaswoodworker]

I'm assuming that since .308 is illegal that 30-06 would also be illegal (would be my choice for long range kills) so I would go with something along the lines of .243 win or .25-06.

Quick question, If they are concidered vermin, why would large rounds be outlawed? They will kill just like a smaller round would, only with a little more force. (not familiar with many hunting laws)

[cpttango30]

17 Fireball, 17 Remington, 223, 22-250, 243, 6mm Rem, 204 Ruger, 257 roberts.

Varmints are very thin skinned. I have shot ground hogs out to 450 yards with a 223 and none run off. The 450 yard shot was with a 50gr V-Max and it shot guts 5' out the back side of him. There is no need to be flinging 125+ gr of lead down range.

110gr Varmint bullets in 30 cal are very short and fat not adding to long range stability.

I my self would go with a 243 or 6mm PPC. The 243 will give you the stability or a slightly longer heavier bullet in the 87gr V-max.

It is more the shooter than the round or bullet. You need to know your rifle inside and out. You should reload so that you know your load as well.

If I were going to built a purpose built rig It would be a 6 dasher in either Kelbly Panda or a Stiller Predator action with a Kreiger 9 twist in the 5r rifling. All laid up in a Shehane Tracker stock. Topped with a Nightforce 12-42x56mm or a March 10-60x56mm.

[robocop10mm]

A 25-06 with 120gr BTHP's will drift less at 600 than many smaller calibers. There is something about a 25-06 that lends itself to accuracy. I have a hard time loading an inaccurate round. I have a number of friends with a variety of brands/models of rifles in this caliber and all report the same results.

Do you need a 120 gr bullet to kill a ground hog? No, but the smaller bullets are harder to hit with because of wind drift and losing energy at longer ranges.

[cpttango30]

25-06 is in my eyes one of the if not the best all around caliber. Unfortunately the 6mm, 6.5mm and 7mm all get way more attention.

My dad has a 25-06 (Well 25 Niedner marked on the barrel) Yes the rifle is that old. It will hold minute of Squirrel out to at least 500 yards.

[estrack2]

a round like .308 or 30-06 would apparently cut right through smaller varmints and ricochet. Not my opinion, just the states reasoning.

[Creeker]

A 243 would work perfect out of that 700. So would a 257 Roberts if you can find one.

[AusLach]

Your brother will have to reload due to the costs involved, but look hard at the .257WbyMag too. GREAT all-rounder

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