M.L. McPherson: December
2004
Do We Need a 5mm (20-Caliber) Varminting Round?
Synopsis: As the former editor of Cartridges of the World, I may be in an somewhat unusual position to recognize that, in general, we have far more chamberings than we could ever need. Beyond some very specialized applications, there are precious few holes in the lineup of readily available factory chamberings. However, such holes do exist. Here we will explore one that I feel is significant.
The sport of Varmint Hunting has expanded quite significantly in the past twenty or so years as ranchers and farmers have grown to appreciate that sport shooters can be their ally in controlling unwanted, dangerous and destructive pests about farm and ranch. Without getting into a deep discussion on this subject, I can simply report that all unbiased and honest experts in this field agree that varmint hunting is by far the most humane control method for such pests as the short tailed ground squirrel species that Lewis and Clark unfortunately named the Prairie Dog. I prefer the more appropriate moniker, Prairie Rat.
These critters have no effective natural enemies and the "natural" consequence is that they destroy their habitat as they multiply and must therefore spread out in a circular pattern, leaving a barren, scarred moonscape in their passing wake. It can take decades for such lands to fully recover before another cycle can resume. However, in much of the US before this can happen, the bubonic plague will devastate entire