My new favorite rifle!
- Thread starter AP2020
- Start date
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Neck one up to 22, 53 Vmax and 55g bullets at 3680 out of a 24" barrel. Coyotes flop hard. Sub 1/2" groups at 200 yards are normal. Pard and I use 8208. Pard build one with an X caliber barrel and 1/2" at 200 is normal. This round knocks coyotes down harder and keeps them down vs 204 loaded with 39's and 40's.
NO flies on a 204, just seems like the 22 version kills coyotes Quicker with NO runners at all....so far.
NO flies on a 204, just seems like the 22 version kills coyotes Quicker with NO runners at all....so far.
Nice!!
I feel the same way about my 223 Rem bolt rifles - just love shooting them. Supremely accurate, economical to reload, low recoil, extremely long barrel life if you don't go "Rambo" on them.
However the best part is that it handles the vast majority of my shooting needs, i.e. varmint and predator hunting, and range practice since my needs are under 300 yards.
However the best part is that it handles the vast majority of my shooting needs, i.e. varmint and predator hunting, and range practice since my needs are under 300 yards.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
I've been shooting those 53gr Vmax since they very first came out and they're my "go to" bullet in my 223AI with its 22in 9tw Hart barrel. Not only do those 53's group sooooo well in my gun but they are brutal on coyotes. My 223AI and the 53gr Vmax were my main yote getter for years until I bought a Kelby 22-250 a couple years ago and that has become my main coyote gun. Any guesses on what bullet I'm loading in it, yep, those same 53 Vmax.
Love my 20's but the 22's definitely have a MUCH bigger selection of bullets that's for sure.
AP2020, if you want to stay with a 20 cal but one that can deliver more thump on those big fatty groundhogs at 500 or 500+ get something like a fast twist 20BR or 20-250 to shoot the 55gr Berger's. You'd love it but the groundhogs, even the ones wayyy out there, would hate it.
I've been shooting those 53gr Vmax since they very first came out and they're my "go to" bullet in my 223AI with its 22in 9tw Hart barrel. Not only do those 53's group sooooo well in my gun but they are brutal on coyotes. My 223AI and the 53gr Vmax were my main yote getter for years until I bought a Kelby 22-250 a couple years ago and that has become my main coyote gun. Any guesses on what bullet I'm loading in it, yep, those same 53 Vmax.
Love my 20's but the 22's definitely have a MUCH bigger selection of bullets that's for sure.
AP2020, if you want to stay with a 20 cal but one that can deliver more thump on those big fatty groundhogs at 500 or 500+ get something like a fast twist 20BR or 20-250 to shoot the 55gr Berger's. You'd love it but the groundhogs, even the ones wayyy out there, would hate it.
Now your talking! And I had seen that I think Midway had a bunch of those 55gr Bergers
I just put, a Brake on my Rem 700, .22-250 and load my 50 grain, ammo DOWN to,.. .223 Velocities !
Now I can SEE, Sage Rats, Body Parts, flying thru, the Air !
I finally HAVE,.. the "Holy Grail" of Varmint Rifles ! ( Close, anyway ! LOL ! )
PAST 300 yards, I have, a New, Braked,.. 6 XC !
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Nice visuals!!@ lol
Ok, now that's all I need!!! Lol
Yea, that's special for sure. Where I hunt, eastern PA, it's so highly developed these days that safe shots beyond 300 yards are rare. In addition, about 5 years ago or so, the farmers changed their farming practices from planting long rolling hay fields to planting strips of hay, corn, wheat, soybeans. Thus it's difficult to find a vantage point even for shots out to 300 yards. Furthermore, it's rare that you'll find holes in the field, the hogs have migrated to tree and brush lines because of the constant crop rotations. I'd say 90+% of the hogs I see emerge from brush and tree lines.
My ideal setup is to setup about 200 to 250 yards from a tree line which give me shot opportunities from 100 to about 275 yards depending on the length of the tree line.
I hunt off a shooting cross stick which allows me to be highly mobile. My system allow me to roam the fields easily and quickly plus move to remove areas of the farm where approach with a vehicle (w/ a table) is not possible. With that system, it's difficult to make a humane shot beyond 300 yards especially using hold over. But I do envy those guys that can make those 300+ yards shots.
A 22 250 is a premier varmint rifle in my opinion, especially for eastern ghogs since shot opportunities do not create constant firing and over heating the barrel thus preserving barrel life. This caliber is also capable of supreme accuracy.
I use one (Rem 700 Varmint) for years before the farmers changed their farming practices (see explanation in other reply post). In those days 300 yard+ shots were more common and I made a number of them with the 22 250. Eventually I shot out the barrel at least to the point where varmint level accuracy was not possible anymore so I sold it and began using my 223's exclusively.
With the changes that have occurred in my area, i.e. developments and changes in farming practices, I really don't give up many shot opportunities with the 223 Rem bolt rifles. The reloading economy, low recoil, supreme accuracy, long barrel life (with judicious shooting practices) it's hard to beat for my specific needs.
They're here too. Before I blew out my knee this spring, I was hunting a farm that has a small hay field that has a tree line about 300 yards in length that is loaded with hogs. So many in fact, the farmer calls me every spring after the first cut. This is a perfect set up of my short barrel light weight Rem Model 7, 223 Rem.
I setup on top of the hill, maximum safe shot is about 225 yards where I can scan the entire tree line. From about 4 to 7 PM I got four, monster class hogs.
As the sun began to drop I saw movement in the tree line, then I saw a head popped out. At first I thought it was a fox but after it emerged I could see it was a small yote. He move to one of the dead groundhogs and started pawing it. then grabbed it. I took aim and sent a 50 grain Nosler, distance 178 yards. He dropped the hog and ran into the tree line. Later I found him, a good hit, lung shot but he still managed to run about 50 yards and pile up in the tree line. Small yote, about 20 lbs, hide was in poor condition however.
No doubt they're making an impact here too.
Disclaimer To Whom it May Concern: Since there are no pictures - it didn't happen so you can save that rebuttal post.
I’m also a huge 20 cal fan. I prefer loading the 22 cals but I love my 20’s. Have a new custom 20 tactical on its way back from the smith as we speak. It is set up as my main purpose coyote rifle. Will be loading the 35gr bergers and 39gr blitzkings. Have 500 of each.
I’ve owned 2 204’s, this will be my second 20 tactical, 2 223’s, 243 and a 6 creed, and have hunting coyotes with all of them. For just pure ease the 223 is tough to beat but nothing quite puts a smile on my face as much as the 20 cals.
I’ve owned 2 204’s, this will be my second 20 tactical, 2 223’s, 243 and a 6 creed, and have hunting coyotes with all of them. For just pure ease the 223 is tough to beat but nothing quite puts a smile on my face as much as the 20 cals.
AP2020,
Off-topic here. However, watching your videos, a western trick to get your game out of the hole is to take a piece of barbwire and stick it in the hole and twist it around much like you would a plumbing worm. It wraps the fur up on the barbs and you can then pull your groundhogs out. Good videos!
Off-topic here. However, watching your videos, a western trick to get your game out of the hole is to take a piece of barbwire and stick it in the hole and twist it around much like you would a plumbing worm. It wraps the fur up on the barbs and you can then pull your groundhogs out. Good videos!
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