I usually go for my Rem 870 20ga (Federal #3/ 4 buck) in the thick stuff for cats here in TX. More open areas I really like the Weatherby Vanguard 7mm-08 which is great during deer season as well. Man,what a Absolute tack driver that round is!
Tikka SS T3X lite in .22-250 with a Leupold VX-III 2-8x. Also run a tuned up 700 in .223, 1:9 twist shaw barrel with a Leupold VX-I 2-7x. On windy days I take out the SS 700 in .243 (stock except for tuned trigger) with a Leupold VX-II 4-12x. The last yote I shot was with my deer rig, a SS 77/44 with a old Leupold 1-4 shotgun scope. The yote prior to that was with my turkey rig, a M2...
When i take my boys out, i make sure ive got my savage 17 hmr/bsa sweet 17 for them. They just arent big enough yet for any of my others. My howa classic lam varminter in 204 topped with an argos 8-34 is far and away the most accurate i have (3/8”@100 with 32g vmax), but its also not a quick rifle to move with due to the weight. I got it for prairie dogs mostly. I also have a tc compass in 204 (1:10 twist) with vortex cf2 that really likes the 40g vmax. Im working on getting either a 243 or 6cm next. Prob a RAP whichever chamber i decide on. Cant go wrong with the mossberg 500 12g. I beat the crap out of it for 18 years now and still goes boom every trigger pull!
The last youth competition i took my sons to, my 6yo got a gift cert for the youngest there and my 9yo won a rem 783 in 223! Never seen a bigger grin on two kids in my life! Just need some warmer weather to get to a range and get him behind it.
I just ordered my first varmint specific gun. I decided on the Savage Axis in .223. Economical and reportedly very accurate. Can't wait to get some shots down range. Living in CT, I'm not expecting too many shots over 100 yards, so it should do fine.
I have a pair of twins. Tikka t3 lite in .223 and .243. Both with bushy 4200 2.5-10x40. Overall I like the .223 better cuz I can tolerate no hearing protection and on 2.5 I can see the hits.
I have 3 ruger American predator rifles in 243 22-250 and a new 204...all have nikon or vortex scopes... All are very accurate out of the box with good factory ammo
Your 204 will do it ALL-----Good luck Hunting--I shoot my 17 rem Encore or my 225 Winchester Model 70 the most---but do use my t/c contender's in 17 wsm and the 256 win mag [357 pistol case necked down to 25 cal] hard not to like it-----Most of my Varmint rifles have thumb hold stocks and all have scopes with Luminated dot reticles-------
2 winchester's model 70 243
Ruger mini 14--- 223
Ruger Model 77 25-06
Ruger #1 22-250
Ruger 10/17 mach 2
Savage A-17 auto
Marlin V17---HMR
savage 24F 222 over 12ga
savage 24 223 over 20ga
Win model 70 222 rem---------a 222 is a very good Varmint round and very accurate .very near and dear to me---------But remember make sure your rifle fits you and you have confidence in the rifle and Caliber you chose. than any Varmint Caliber will do you FINE--wouldn't hurt to have a 243 or 25-06 for the extra long shots-------