22-250 Varmint Rifle Recommendations

[Keener22]

I'm looking for some thoughts/advice on a couple rifles I'm looking at. Does anyone have experience with the Savage 110 Varmint and/or the Bergara B-14 HMR in .22-250?

From what I've seen so far it looks like I can't go wrong with either one, I'm just looking for some opinions. I have a Savage Trophy Hunter in .22-250 already and it stacks factory 55 gr. VMAX on top of itself with ease. Nothing wrong with that one, I'm just looking to upgrade into something more in a "varmint" style with the heavy barrel and what not. The only major difference I see is that the Bergara has a 1:9 twist, the Savage is 1:12. Cost is not an issue for me, I can get deals on both.

 

[284winner]

I'm looking for some thoughts/advice on a couple rifles I'm looking at. Does anyone have experience with the Savage 110 Varmint and/or the Bergara B-14 HMR in .22-250?

From what I've seen so far it looks like I can't go wrong with either one, I'm just looking for some opinions. I have a Savage Trophy Hunter in .22-250 already and it stacks factory 55 gr. VMAX on top of itself with ease. Nothing wrong with that one, I'm just looking to upgrade into something more in a "varmint" style with the heavy barrel and what not. The only major difference I see is that the Bergara has a 1:9 twist, the Savage is 1:12. Cost is not an issue for me, I can get deals on both.

Twist rate on barrels is a personal choice but I'd always go with a 9 twist over a 12/14. The 9 offers a larger selection of bullet weights and offers equal accuracy of the lighter variants. You'll stabilize up to a 70 grain low drag bullet in a 9 twist for those bigger critters at longer ranges. At the same time, you be able to shoot 40-55 grain bullets just as effectively. Choice is yours obviously but that would be my choice. If price is no issue, you also could consider looking at other rifle manufacturers that do offer other twist options. I own a Savage 112 in 22-250. Has a 12 twist which I do not prefer for such a large case capacity .224 cartridge. I also have an 8 and 9 twist version with custom barrels. Personally do not have Bergara experience in a 22-250. They are excellent rifles tho.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have 3 22-250's. A 1:9, 1:12 and a 1:14. The 12 was easiest to get a good shooting load for. Still working on the 9. Have some good loads but not excellent , yet. The 12 and 14 are tack drivers with the handloads I developed. Mine are, Savage/12, CZ/14 and Browning/9. Had a TIKKA/8 that I never did get to shoot satisfactorily.

 

[K22]

I shot and hunted with a 22 250, Rem 700 Varmint, for several years. This rifle had a 14" twist and shot 50 grain bullets in sub 1/2 moa groups. I shot the barrel out and never replaced the rifle. I now use several 223 Rems which meet my needs for the majority of shot opportunities that I encounter where I hunt.

I would take a look at the Tikka T3x Varmint model. I have it in a 223 Rem and this rifle, out of the box, is a tack driver, shooting sub 1/2 moa consistent groups. In fact it's one the most accurate, out of the box, factory rifles I've ever owned. The excellent trigger and vertical pistol grip I believe are major factors in my ability to shoot this rifle so well along with the inherent accuracy of this rifle.

I'm fighting the urge to get one in a 22 250 which I don't really need but if I was going to go back to the great 22 250 this would be my first choice.

PS: If I get another stimulus check I just might weaken.

 

[jpx2rk]

If the new gun will be a bench gun, look at the Savage FV12 from Cabelas. It's muzzle heavy with the tupperware stock, but are still very accurate in the OEM stock. Aftermarket stocks are available and will balance the rifle better but it will still be a heavy rifle to carry out in the fields.

 

[Keener22]

Thanks for all of the recommendations everyone. Sounds like I have some more looking to do.

 

[BuckCreek]

I've had a Savage 12FV 1:12 twist and Bergara HMR Pro 22-250 1:9 twist. The barrel didn't last long on the savage. I would highly recommend the Bergara, its more capable than I. I run Hornady Brass, BR2's, 36.5gr H4350 w/ 69gr TMK (3230fps) 1/2" groups and I've grenade dogs out to 600yrs, bucks the wind nicely. You can't go wrong with a good 1:12 twist rifle, you just have to get up in the 3800fps+ to get comparable for wind deflection, but it will shoot a little flatter with the right bullet (look at Nosler 53gr and .303BC). I've had success with 75gr ELD-M and Superformance @3220fps in the Bergara as well. To me number one thing will be how the gun fits you, and love the Bergara for that I've became more consistent with tuning LOP and Check Rest to my desire, if the stock factory offerings from Savage fit you well, it would be very cost effective choice. I will say as other stated, the 1:9 twist is extremely versatile.

 

[RegionRat]

The important thing is to think in parallel about the ammo and the gun, and for the long term about living with bbl changes.

What I mean is to think about the bullet weight(s) you plan to shoot and that helps narrow the twist rate trade off. My advice is to plan on more than one (two guns with different twists) till you gain real world experience and then narrow down once the bbls are done.

Some guys want to clean up their ammo handling logistics and go with one or two bullet weights, others have dozens. I have been at the game a long time and try to avoid supporting too many different ones since bulk loading for varmint trips takes time and effort.

Pick the bbl and stock profile you think is best for how you roll. Some folks like very heavy profiles and others like to be able to walk far with their rigs so they want them lighter.

Also think about living with the action and stock over the horizon. If you are lucky, you will burn through that bbl and want another one on the same rig.

 

[sw282]

Take a look at Cooper. Available in synthetic or real WOOD!! l have 22-250s in WIn M70 HV and a Rem 700 Varmint Laminated.
l sometimes shoot PDS with a group of guys from Canton Tx. Of ten guys in the group all shoot 22-250s but ME. Sample group includes Rem 700, Savage, Shilen, Kimber, and Weatherby. Most accurate of the bunch are a couple Weatherby Super Varmint Masters. The SVM Weatherbys were built on 6 lug Mark V actions are USA made. Barrels were Kreiger Kriterian barrels frozen twice. Once before machining, then frozen after. HS Precision stocks held the actions. l dont think these SVM Weatherbys were made but a few years... Mid 90s l believe... Too expensive to produce or sell, l think they are one of the most accurate varmint guns made. 22-250s were pretty good at long shots. My Weatherby SVM in 7mm-08 was a bit better.

ps. These guys all shoot/shot the same 22-250 load. Remington Brass, H4895 powder, 52/53 gr Hornady bullet...

 

[B23]

Tikka made some 22-250's with 8tw barrels so if I was looking for an off the shelf 22-250 I'd probably see if I could find one of those, mostly, because an 8tw would allow you to shoot nearly any bullet you want.

But, it largely depends on what range of bullet weights you will want to shoot as to which model and twist rate will best suit your needs.

My Kelbly 22-250 wears a Brux 12tw barrel and it shoots extremely well with the 53gr Vmax which is good for me considering that is my favorite mid weight 22 caliber bullet.

 

[markT]

Savage / 12 twist / 50 gr Vmax or Blitz King. Buy a replacement trigger and you are done.

 

[K22]

Most accurate of the bunch are a couple Weatherby Super Varmint Masters. The SVM Weatherbys were built on 6 lug Mark V actions are USA made. Barrels were Kreiger Kriterian barrels frozen twice. Once before machining, then frozen after. HS Precision stocks held the actions. l dont think these SVM Weatherbys were made but a few years... Mid 90s l believe... Too expensive to produce or sell, l think they are one of the most accurate varmint guns made. 22-250s were pretty good at long shots. My Weatherby SVM in 7mm-08 was a bit better.

I have a SVM in 223 Rem and it's the most accurate out of the box factory rifle I've ever owned shooting consistent groups in the sub 1/4 moa range. I got mine in Sept 2009 at a price of $1500. I was going to have a custom varmint rig built by my gun smith when he suggested the SVM stating he couldn't build one as good as it. I was going to spend about this much anyway plus wait 6 months for a custom job so I took the plunge with the SVM. Wow - was I pleased. It's one of my favorite varmint rifles. Sure do wish they still made it.

 

[nr123]

I got carried away on a prairie dog shoot years ago and shot the barrel out of my 22-250 Remington varmint rifle. Replaced it with a new take off barrel, but never got it to shoot. I traded it for a Tikka Varmint 22-250, which I should have done earlier. The Tikka was an absolute tack driver. If I was buying a 22-250 now, I would take a serious look at a 8 twist Tikka.

 

[Steve morgan]

I'm looking for some thoughts/advice on a couple rifles I'm looking at. Does anyone have experience with the Savage 110 Varmint and/or the Bergara B-14 HMR in .22-250?

From what I've seen so far it looks like I can't go wrong with either one, I'm just looking for some opinions. I have a Savage Trophy Hunter in .22-250 already and it stacks factory 55 gr. VMAX on top of itself with ease. Nothing wrong with that one, I'm just looking to upgrade into something more in a "varmint" style with the heavy barrel and what not. The only major difference I see is that the Bergara has a 1:9 twist, the Savage is 1:12. Cost is not an issue for me, I can get deals on both.

I had the savage in 22-250 no powder&bullet combo ever shot good in about 400 rds that I shot.its gone down the rd now. I also had the b14 hmr in 6.5 it shot good but was to heavy to carry for me.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I have a Tikka 1:14 (shortly after I bought it they came out with the 1:8). Mine loves the Speer 52 gr HPs, I recently tried 60 gr Hornady SPs and they grouped around 3/4"...those are the heaviest I've tried in that barrel. I have a Savage striker (pistol) switch barrel setup with a .22-250 barrel, it shot well from what I recall.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Know this. No matter which rifle you decide on it may or may not shoot well.

 

[Damon555]

I'm looking for some thoughts/advice on a couple rifles I'm looking at. Does anyone have experience with the Savage 110 Varmint and/or the Bergara B-14 HMR in .22-250?

From what I've seen so far it looks like I can't go wrong with either one, I'm just looking for some opinions. I have a Savage Trophy Hunter in .22-250 already and it stacks factory 55 gr. VMAX on top of itself with ease. Nothing wrong with that one, I'm just looking to upgrade into something more in a "varmint" style with the heavy barrel and what not. The only major difference I see is that the Bergara has a 1:9 twist, the Savage is 1:12. Cost is not an issue for me, I can get deals on both.

As my grandpa used to say "Dance with who brung ya!"............Savage is an excellent option......new barrels are easy to install if need be.......but the factory Savage varmint rifles I have owned have all been great shooters.

 

[rkittine]

I have a .22-250 1:14 unfired Remington 700 VLS Varminter with Bull Barrel and Lamintated stock that I would sell if you were interested. Original Box, Dies, unfired Brass etc.

Bob

 

[urbanrifleman]

6xc 50 freebore. Just sayin.

 

[Hohn]

Savage / 12 twist / 50 gr Vmax or Blitz King. Buy a replacement trigger and you are done.

My 12fv 9tw loved the 50gr vmax. First time out with throw together 8208 loads it was dimes. I rebarrelled to a longer FB 7tw less than 100 rounds into it, but kept that barrel as a candidate for a later light-bullet build. Couldn’t be happier with my $300 Savage .223, especially now that it feels much smoother after maybe a thousand bolt cycles.