7mm Backcountry
Experience the world’s most advanced 7mm rifle cartridge.
30 Super Carry
Hits like a 9mm Luger. Carries like a 380 Auto. Designed exclusively for defense.
Raptor Steel
Built in collaboration with Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, these loads put more pellets on target through Raptor Series chokes.
FireStick
There’s never been a muzzleloading system like this. See all the benefits that set FireStick apart to provide the most convenient, safe and consistent performance ever.
Hydra-Shok® Component Bullets
The bullet that’s defined self-defense for a generation is now available as a component.
Federal X Duluth Pack
Check out the all-new lineup of Federal-branded Duluth Pack apparel and gear.
Model 2020 Waypoint Special Edition
We worked with engineers from Springfield Armory to create Custom Shop loads specifically designed for the utmost performance from the new Model 2020 Waypoint rifle.
Years of shooting prairie dogs, coyotes, groundhogs and a variety of other varmints and predators have taught me volumes about bullet and cartridge selection. So, let’s dive into the process of choosing the best varmint ammunition.
Before we discuss the finer points of varmint ammunition, we must briefly discuss rifle cartridges. Unlike hunting for big game, there are few if any constraints on legal varmint ammo, so the sky is the limit.
For years, the go-to centerfire cartridges for everything from ground squirrels to coyotes were fast 22s. The 223 Rem. and 22-250 Rem. were the two most popular varmint ammunition options in the mid- to late twentieth century, and both remain popular today.
In 2017, Federal introduced the 224 Valkyrie, which was based on the 6.8 SPC cartridge. That round, loaded with a 60-grain bullet, leaves the muzzle at 3,300 feet per second, and it is better for really long shots thanks to higher BC bullets that buck the wind more efficiently. It also doesn’t burn barrels like some other hot-rod varmint cartridges, and it’s more versatile as an all-purpose hunting round. Loaded with heavy bullets, it even works for deer-sized game and long-range shooting at 1,000 yards or more.
Really, though, whether you’re hunting prairie dogs, coyotes or anything in between, varmints and predators aren’t tough animals, and a wide range of cartridges will quickly dispatch them at typical distances. Bullets need not be large, but they need to shoot flat and accurately. Lower recoil is a plus as well, as you’ll likely be shooting a lot more than on a typical deer hunt. You might also need to shoot in fast succession on moving targets, which makes light-kicking cartridges with minimal muzzle rise ideal. This puts 17 Hornet, 22 Hornet, 204 Ruger, 223 Rem., 243 Win. and 22-250 Rem. in the sweet spot of legal varmint ammunition. Even larger rounds like 6.5 Creedmoor make the cut when loaded with the right bullets.
If you prefer to shoot handloads for varmint hunting, it’s best to choose a cartridge that you can secure a steady supply of fired brass, so consider what rifles are already in your safe to find synergies. Or, simply buy unfired brass from Federal to keep your press churning out varmint handloads.
Can you use rimfires varmint hunting? Absolutely. For hunting game up to the size of groundhogs at modest ranges, the 17 HMR and 22 WMR are excellent options, and they’re also quite affordable. If I were hunting the wide-open prairies of the West I’d stick with a centerfire, but if you’re hunting east of the Mississippi or don’t plan on stretching shots out past a few hundred yards, mild-recoiling rimfires are a great option.
The same principles that apply to centerfire bullet selection for varmints also apply to rimfires. For small varmints at moderate ranges the 17 HMR is a superb choice. Federal’s Varmint & Predator load features a polymer tipped bullet with a thin jacket that expands rapidly and improves aerodynamics, reducing the drift that can affect these light bullets.
Once you’ve settled on a cartridge and platform, paired it with a quality optic and zeroed your varmint rifle, it’s time to start considering which bullet you’ll use. Varmint rifles differ from dedicated predator rifles in that you probably aren’t concerned about pelt damage but instead want to dispatch the animal as efficiently as possible. For that reason, a rapid-expanding bullet with a thin jacket makes the most sense. Expansion will initiate on small targets, and there’s less chance that the bullet will ricochet.
Most bullets loaded in varmint ammunition feature polymer tips, and the reason is twofold. First, the tip makes these bullets more aerodynamic and helps combat stiff crosswinds. Second, the polymer tip initiates rapid expansion. Most 22 centerfire varmint bullets weigh in between 40 and 55 grains, but here again the 224 Valkyrie, with its heavier bullets, offers an advantage. At extreme distances added bullet weight helps mitigate wind deflection, which can mean the difference in a hit or a miss on a small target.
Whether you choose centerfire or rimfire, you’ll need to spend enough time at the range that you can accurately hit small targets. Proper bullet selection is also important because quality ammunition performs more consistently, allowing you to make difficult shots. A quality bullet with a thin jacket will dispatch the animal quickly when the bullet strikes, too. There are plenty of opportunities to shoot varmints across the country, and this is a great off-season pastime to keep your rifle skills sharp. Just be sure you’re using the right ammo.