A varmint hunt is an experience unlike any other form of hunting. You’re aiming for a target that is smaller than any form of big game hunting, meaning that you’ll need to rely on as much accuracy as you possibly can in order to achieve successful results. Because of that, you’ll want to be sure to do some research to find the best varmint caliber out there.
Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and have come up with a list of the best varmint calibers available. Read on to learn what to look for in a varmint cartridge, the best varmint calibers, some varmint hunting FAQs, and more!
What to Look for In a Varmint Caliber
Varmint hunting provides a unique set of challenges for hunters. While any big game rifle will certainly be successful in killing any varmint, it may be overkill and may not give the hunter the best performance possible. There are three main factors that you want to look for when choosing a varmint cartridge — accuracy, speed, and distance
Accuracy - First and foremost, when you’re hunting varmints, the first thing you’ll need to focus on is accuracy. Varmints include small and shifty creatures like coyotes, groundhogs, prairie dogs, raccoons, and foxes, which can be much more difficult targets to hit than animals like deer, elk, or moose. This means that you’ll need a cartridge that provides you with the most accurate shot you can possibly get. Even if you’re the best shot in the world, if you don’t have a cartridge that is optimized for accuracy, you won’t have much luck in the field.
Speed - Varmints are incredibly shifty creatures. They’re all notoriously fast animals that can duck in and out of your line of sight within milliseconds. You’ll want a cartridge that will travel from the barrel of your rifle to the target as quickly as possible. When you’re varmint hunting, speed is a crucial element of success, so you’ll want to shell out for the fastest cartridges you can find.
Distance - Varmints often possess incredibly acute senses. Since they are such small animals, they’ve evolved acute senses in order to combat the fact that so many predators in their environment want to kill them. It’s nearly impossible for a human hunter to sneak up close to a varmint undetected, meaning that you’ll likely be taking your shot from a long distance. This requires you to use a cartridge that is capable of effectively hitting a target from a long distance while maintaining true to the shot line of the rifle.
What is the top Varmint Caliber?
With these three factors in mind, we’ve created a list of the best varmint cartridges available.
.223 REM/5.56 NATO
Developed in 1957 as part of the US military's desire for a new cartridge, the .223 Remington became the 5.56 NATO once adopted. While not 100% interchangeable, the two are almost completely identical. It can send a 55-grain bullet at 3,200 fps, which is more than enough needed to take down even the largest of varmints. In fact, it is versatile enough that you can use it for medium-size game like whitetail deer. Because of the ubiquitous nature of the caliber, it's a popular choice for all kinds of shooters and hunters.
Suppressor Suggestion: BANISH VRMT 223 TI
Part of the varmint-hunting line, the BANISH VRMT 223 Ti is a great suppressor for predator and varmint hunting with popular cartridges in .224 caliber and smaller. It is made from titanium, has an industry-standard HUB mount, and a removable baffle stack for easy cleaning.
The .17 HMR became the bane of prairie dogs' existence when introduced in 2002. Hornady necked down a .22 Magnum to take a .17-caliber bullet and the result was the .17 HMR that can send a 17-grain bullet downrange at 3,650 fps. Now available in a variety of weights and bullet types, the .17 HMR can be used for a wide variety of varmint hunts, with shooters lauding it for its super flat trajectory, allowing them to reach out hundreds of yards and pick off their targets.
Suppressor Suggestion: Off Grid Scorpius 22
Seriously one of, if not the quietest rimfire suppressors on the market. The Off Grid Armory Scorpius is made using 3D printing technology and is 100% titanium. This direct thread rimfire suppressor is rated for .17 up to 5.7x28mm.
If you’re looking for speed, accuracy, and devastating impact at long ranges, then the .22-250 Remington is a great option. Designed in 1937 as a wildcat, it went mainstream with factory production in 1965. Skilled hunters can use this cartridge to regularly hit a shot from 400+ yards away, and it’s billed as one of the fastest cartridges available with the ability to shoot a bullet over 4,400 fps. When it comes to taking long shots at small targets, this varmint cartridge takes the cake.
Suppressor Suggestion: Dead Air Lazarus 6
Looking for versatility and maneuverability? This is it! Dead Air’s Lazarus 6 is a 5.56-6mm suppressor made from Haynes 282 material and using their 3D printed Triskelion™ Baffle Technology. Being a 6mm can, you can use it with your .22-250, .223, or any of the fun 6mm cartridges.
The 22 Creedmoor is a flat-shooting, hard-hitting varmint caliber built for serious performance. It pushes high-BC .224 bullets at blistering velocities, which means less wind drift and laser-like trajectories at long range. That translates to more hits on small, unpredictable targets like prairie dogs and groundhogs. Recoil stays light, so you can spot your own shots and make fast follow-ups. It also carries enough energy to anchor varmints cleanly without excessive pelt damage when paired with the right bullet. If you want reach, precision, and speed in one package, the 22 Creedmoor checks every box for varmint hunters.
Suppressor Suggestion: BANISH VRMT 223 TI
Part of the varmint-hunting line, the BANISH VRMT 223 Ti is rated for the 22 Creedmoor and is a great suppressor for predator and varmint hunting with popular cartridges in .224 caliber and smaller. It is made from titanium, has an industry-standard HUB mount, and a removable baffle stack for easy cleaning.
Dating all the way back to 1887, the .22 Long Rifle (LR) has serious staying power. While it doesn't boast the speed or range of the other calibers on this list, it cannot be discounted among varmint hunters who aren't trying to reach out hundreds of yards. A 30-grain bullets can reach speeds of 1,600 fps, which is no slouch if you know how to use it and understand the limitations of the caliber. If you're looking to take on squirrels and other similarly-sized varmint out to 100 yards, you can't go wrong with the .22 LR.
Suppressor Suggestion: Dead Air RXD22Ti
Since most of us use a 10/22 anyway, might as well go with one designed to compliment Ruger rimfire, as well as any other. The RXD22Ti pairs a lightweight titanium tube with a 3D-printed Triskelion™ core and XRF muzzle brake, offering superior performance and easy maintenance. It's one of the first suppressors released from the collaboration between Dead Air and Ruger.
When you’re varmint hunting, you’re going to want to utilize every advantage that you can. One of these advantages is keeping the element of surprise by hunting with a suppressor from Silencer Central. A suppressor can help you maintain stealth when you’re hunting, which will keep the varmints in an unsuspecting state and improve your odds of success. Learn more about how Silencer Central can help you on your varmint hunt today!
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Ready to get after varmints? Want to shoot suppressed? Hit the link below and get started on suppressor ownership today with Silencer Central, the simplest way to buy a suppressor.
The best long-range varmint caliber would likely be the .22-250 REM, although the 22 Creedmoor might have something to say about that.. Even an average shooter can reliably hit a target from hundreds of yards away using this caliber, and the flat-shooting ability of the cartridge makes it a fan-favorite amongst hunters of varying experience levels.
The best coyote calibers are generally considered to be the .22-250 REM for high-speed, flat-trajectory performance at long ranges, and the .223 REM for its versatility, low recoil, and ammunition availability. In reality, anything you can shoot accurately out to 150-200 yards will be a good coyote caliber.
The .223 REM cartridge is a powerful and accurate cartridge that you can rely on to take down a coyote. It can propel a 55-grain bullet at over 3,000 fps, making it plenty strong enough to stop a coyote in its tracks. Some hunters prefer a smaller cartridge so that they can preserve the hide of the animal, but if you’re just hoping to do some pest control, then this cartridge is the perfect addition to your rifle collection.
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
