AusVarmint

G'day guys,

I'm currently trying to work out the best combination of calibres to have in my 5 gun safe which will cover anything that can be shot in Oz. Unfortunately I'm renting and can't get a bigger safe past the owners . I currently have a CZ .22LR synthetic, CZ .17HMR Varmint & Lee Enfield No4 Mk2 sporter. I also have a Steyr Pro Hunter .308 on the way.

My current thoughts are to sell the 17HMR and .303 and stock the safe with the .22LR, .308, a .22 centrefire (the purpose of this thread) and then either a .243 or .270 or maybe even a .300 WM (a future thread ) and a 12 gauge.

Firstly, any suggestions on this combination are welcome.

Secondly, should I go for the .223 or the .22-250? I've always thought of the .223 due to cheap ammo and variety, but I'm also setting up a reloading bench so I don't think ammo cost will be an issue as they use the same pills (just a bit more powder in the 22-250 I guess).

Thirdly, I'm looking at either a Howa SS Varmint in thumbhole laminated stock or a Tikka T3 Varmint. It may be a stupid question, but is it worth the extra $500ish to get the Tikka or will the Howa do just as good.

not letting me vote other then the obvious 204*, i would have voted for the 223. your talking about a 243 as a future purchase so your bases will be covered 22lr, 17hmr, 204*/223, 243 and 308.

*stuff it, buy a 204

owned them all but I just purchased another 22-250 so I will now say that is the best allround cartridge for Aussie game

now i know I'm Irish and sometimes a bit slow, but how the fark can a 20 and 24 cal be in the "best 22 cal" poll??????

yes this poll is bunk but he's looking for cals to sit between rimfires and a 308.

If you could only have 5 firearms (the thought of that runs a chiver down your spine) it would be:

12g
22LR
243 - 65-95gr rabits, foxes, goats, roos, pigs & small deer species (when legal)
300 WM - deer sized amimals.

With the above 4 calibres you can shoot anything on this continent with the right projectile choice. The best things is you still have a free space for what ever takes your fancey. You dont need a 22 cal centefire when you have a 243, it can launch a 55gr projie faster than a 22-250.

Its funny when you look at the above list of calibres i reckon you could live with and i only own 2 of them, 22LR & 12g. I have a 222R, 223, 22-250, 260, 270, 308 and a 6mmbr & 30-2221 being built.

i've found with a bit of organisation you can get at least 7 into a 5 gun safe

Well the poll was just crap - didn't work and who know's why I put 204 in a 22 cal lineup

That ain't a bad suggestion Seddo. I didn't think of 55g in the 243. I'd only thought of using 75-90g. I'm also leaning towards the Tikka SS Varmint.

So essentially the lineup could be:
12g
22LR
243
308
300WM

OK, lets say we want the 12g,22lr &300wm, that leaves 2 in the middle. The 223 is a pleasure to shoot, so i would add it. I think the 243/308 combo is too close, maybe 223/7-08.