Go bigger or smaller?

If you are looking for a good varmint gun the .22-250 will outperform your .17 and .243 hands down. It shoots at blistering speeds and makes chucks explode. Whatever it is don't buy anything in a Weatherby Caliber ex. 300 Weatherby mag because they will rape you on ammo. Since you already have the .270 for bigger game there is no sense buying a bigger Caliber that is more expensive to shoot. Go .222, .223, .22-250 or if you want something unique go with the .204. The .204 is gaining popularity rapidly because of how fast and flat it shoots. Happy hunting!

Unless you plan on going after one of the few critters on this continent that the .270 is on the lights side for such as elk, moose, grizzly, etc. You will probably be better served by going smaller, as the lower cost of ammo as well as the lack of recoil make for a rifle that you will want to shoot more. While I really like the .22-250, it really won't do much that the .223 won't do, and .223 ammo tends to be less expensive by a fairly decent margin. This a a huge plus for a lot of people.

Yes you do have other varmint rifles in your collection, but either the .223 or .22-250 will fill a hole in there, especially if it's set up differently. For example I have two varmint rifles. The first is a Ruger 77 target; heavy barrel, heavy stock, prefect for extreme accuracy but not very portable. At about 12 lbs with scope and bipod It's great for knocking out woodchucks in areas where they've been doing damage but I hate carrying it more than I have to. The other one is a CZ 527; very compact and light weight, still very accurate. It might not be as easy to steady but very easy to carry around all day. Which means they have two different uses, which does help keep me from playing favorites and both get shot a lot in their respective roles.

The .270 has you covered on the top end unless you just want something that makes a bigger hole and a louder BOOM. Unless you plan on getting an AR-15 in the near future, or maybe because you are planning on getting an AR-15 in the future, I would go with a .223. The ammo can be about the cost of .17 HMR and shoots more like a .243 Win.

First you should be reloading your own ammo. Absolutely necessary to hold down the cost of shooting and it's great fun at the same time. Many years ago (I mean over 50) it seemed like everything I read pointed to the .300 Weatherby Magnum as the ONLY big game cartridge to get. I got one (around 1970), mounted a Leupold 3-9x scope and began shooting jackrabbits in the California desert. Didn't always connect but when I did, the rabbits were demolished. I took the rifle on my first deer hunt and got a nice black tail deer. Yes, it was "over-kill" but I loved the rifle and used it for everything. Then I went to British Columbia and shot a moose and caribou...both one-shot kills. I've taken probably 50 big game animals over the years using that rifle and it has never failed me. Consistently shoots 3" high at 100 yards out of a cold barrel. So when you mention Weatherby my heart takes a little leap. But two things; first you really have to load your own and second, the caliber is way over the hill for just about anything but really larger animals such as elk or moose. But it sure did a number on jackrabbits.

GO BIGGER.

if i had the same set up as you do, i would get a .308 or a 7mm. the 7mm ammo does coast more so just be sheer that that is what you want. both are good rounds that shoot up to moose size animal. if you went smaller with the .223 then you would just have all of the smaller calibers and nothing bigger.

* The Most Used, and Popular caliber used for Big Game Animals Worldwide is the 30-06.* It can also be hand loaded if needed, or necessary to perform the same as a 300 Magnum.* It has killed more Big Game Animals than any other caliber.* African Big Game animals including Bull Cape Buffalo with one shot.* Use the 180 or 220 grain bullet.*

Around where I live, in Maryland, .223 is one of the most common rifle calibers available, and cheapest. Box of 20 rounds is often less then 10 bucks, and the Bass Pro shop often has specials on it.

Good for target practice, because its cheap. Some say it doesn't pack enough punch for deer and other big game, but you have plenty of other calibers for that.

Go bigger a 223 and 22-250 does the same thing as your 243 and 17hmr. If you go bigger you cna shoot bear and or elk/moose but if you dont atleast you will have a "big" gun in you cabinet.

Pick up a 30-06 for anything legal on the American Continents. This cal has the best avilability of ammo from mom and pop stores in the bush or back country!

if you want a good varmint gun the .223 aka 5.56 mm is a great gun but if your looking to hunt

go with a 308