![Varmint Loads for the .30-06](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/7146/531881/5f8fcedb8fafe/Varmint-Loads-for-the-30-06.jpg)
Until I was into my early 30s, my gun rack held one centerfire rifle. As a kid in the 1960s, I remember that most of my uncles and my family’s hunting friends had just one rifle for big game. It was often pressed into service to shoot running jackrabbits and coyotes in the off-season. Some would cast and handload inexpensive lead bullets and use them to thin ground squirrel and rockchuck populations near their western homes.
That was common. A lot of working-class hunters never owned more than one centerfire rifle; a condition forced on them by economics. While falling a little out of favor today as the one, do-everything cartridge, the .30-06 is still one of the most popular rounds on the market, and it is still the round of choice for many big-game hunters across the country. With the possible exception of the big bears, the .30-06 will handle any big game in North America with authority.
Wanna know a little secret? It is hard on varmints. Just about all the rifles chambered for this cartridge are accurate enough to consistently make hits on tiny varmints out to 200 yards, and critters the size of prairie dogs and wood or rockchucks out to 300 yards. Coyotes are in serious danger about as far away as most hunters will attempt shots on these predators. Many rifles are tack drivers, even with light barrels, and will take predators at distances equal to any cartridge/rifle factory combination.
Is it an ideal varmint cartridge? Of course not. Recoil can be pretty abrupt for extended shooting sessions on ground squirrels with standard power loads.
Denne historien er fra Varmint Rifles & Cartridges Fall 2020-utgaven av Rifle.
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Denne historien er fra Varmint Rifles & Cartridges Fall 2020-utgaven av Rifle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943763/wzF6E6vY91658311836193/CIMARRON-3220-SHORT-RIFLE-CARBINE.jpg)
CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine
In the heyday of Winchester Repeating Arms Company lever guns, it offered muskets, standard rifles, short rifles and saddle ring carbines.
![Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/nNlnbDeTj1653640265074/crp_Remingtons-Model-722-and-222-Cartridge.jpg)
Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge
It's easy enough to define what a varmint is, those pesky critters that tear up pastures, flower beds and all kinds of expensive crops people need for various reasons - most importantly, to make a living and/or something with which to feed themselves.
![Coyote Bullets](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/8otznQPhN1653643304791/crp_Coyote-Bullets.jpg)
Coyote Bullets
What is Best for You?
![Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/z-uHNxDnL1653642373306/crp_Remingtons-5mm-Rimfire-Magnum.jpg)
Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum
Shooting a Classic
![Winchester's New Wildcat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/iqRZlKoaP1653647217487/crp_Winchesters-New-Wildcat.jpg)
Winchester's New Wildcat
The Ultralight Rimfire Varmint Rifle
![.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/9xILyCHga1653646675529/crp_223-Remington-from-30-30-Winchester.jpg)
.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?
Multitasking for Varmints
![LOADS FOR A .22 TCM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/AQgsDUFyg1653644848775/crp_LOADS-FOR-A-22-TCM.jpg)
LOADS FOR A .22 TCM
The .22 TCM first appeared commercially in 2012, chambered in a Rock Island Armory 1911-style handgun.
![Everybody Loves Velocity](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/BL7HZ8zio1653645599272/crp_Everybody-Loves-Velocity.jpg)
Everybody Loves Velocity
The 4,500-fps WSSM Project
![A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/o_3wtrkRH1653641507832/crp_A-BOLT-ACTION-FRANCHI-224-VALKYRIE.jpg)
A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE
Testing New Loads
![.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/1P77w5p_L1653647884573/crp_22-Winchester-Magnum-Rimfire.jpg)
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Shooting Revolvers