Building a custom varmint rifle. What to build?
- Thread starter Gary Wiant
- Start date
Snort - sound advice and right now the direction I'm leaning at least until I talk to my builder, he'said very sharp and knows way more than I do as well as what barrel calibers he can get ahold of.
Beruisis- I have a Ruger 77 Mk II in 220 that is lights out but I don't shoot it much because I don't want to mess up the stock (my son refinished it) but I love that caliber
GrocMax - I understand if I was starting over but I have about 400 rounds of 243 brass and Dies for it that won't cost me anything, and if I was just buying a factory rifle I'd be happy placing a Vortex Crossfire II 6-24x50 / 30mm tube scope on it, but in the end I'll have a gun that is worth a couple thousand dollars I feel it deserves a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 / 30mm tube PST. at least unless I find a pot of gold and end up putting a Burris Eliminator on it.
Beruisis- I have a Ruger 77 Mk II in 220 that is lights out but I don't shoot it much because I don't want to mess up the stock (my son refinished it) but I love that caliber
GrocMax - I understand if I was starting over but I have about 400 rounds of 243 brass and Dies for it that won't cost me anything, and if I was just buying a factory rifle I'd be happy placing a Vortex Crossfire II 6-24x50 / 30mm tube scope on it, but in the end I'll have a gun that is worth a couple thousand dollars I feel it deserves a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 / 30mm tube PST. at least unless I find a pot of gold and end up putting a Burris Eliminator on it.
Gary, the 6SLR is formed by pushing a 243 case's shoulder down to 30 degrees from 20 degrees creating a longer neck. According to several experts (which leaves me out), the longer neck AND the 30 degree shoulder both contribute to longer barrel life.
As far as dies go, I size mine with a Forster 6XC sizing die (which is readily available) screwed out .122". In other words, the 6SLR is a 6XC that is .122" longer in the body of the case. I realize the bottom 1/8" of the case is not getting sized but after 7 loadings, I haven't had any issues yet. And you can always pick up a cheap 243 body die if you want the bottom of the case sized.
I'm shooting 105 AMax bullets at 3100 fps out of a 30" barrel. I can push things to 3250 fps, but the 3100 fps load is accurate and what I would consider a reasonably mild load which extends barrel life. I would say to subtract 25 fps per inch of barrel if you are shooting a shorter barrel.
If you are only shooting varmints then your two 223/5,56 are perfect. If you want to hunt deer, although the 223/5,56 are capable rounds they are not useful for game animals in some states, you have a lot of 6mm and 25 calibers to choose from. Some are capable of cleanly harvesting big deer and even elk. If the recoil of a 243 is too much then you could use the 6mm Swiss or the "standard" loads in the 257 Roberts. For that matter if you are a reloader you could use reduced velocity loads in most of the 6mm and 25 calibers and still take deer at moderate ranges.
long40shot
Gold $$ Contributor
22-250 gets my vote. I run pain old 55grn v-max bullets in it. The 55grn sierra blitzkings are slightly more accurate, but not enough to justify the extra cost. My barrel is a 1-14 twist. However, if you would need a caliber with a bit longer reach , I'd run a 243 ackley with 105s.
Matt
Matt
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I think Nomad hit the nail on the head & my builder agrees 6SLR is what I'm going to make. that way I can use my brass. and the builder says it's a very good choice. he is recommending 7 or 8 twist so I can shoot 80 - 115 great. bullets does this sound right what length barrel for a hunting gun?
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snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Well score one for Nomad...he knows whereof he speaks!
I think this might stick Parker!
Pretty damn good deal here if you don't want to wait...JMHO
For 1 thing I can't afford $2200 right now and I don't really know enough about parts and pieces to buy a pre-built gun or buy parts and put something together.
And second and most importantly this was my son's first rifle that I bought just for him and neither him or me want to see the gun go away and there is no sense in having a gun with a bad barrel.
I'm excited to get the process started.
And second and most importantly this was my son's first rifle that I bought just for him and neither him or me want to see the gun go away and there is no sense in having a gun with a bad barrel.
I'm excited to get the process started.
My builder is recommending 7-8 twist and at least 28" barrel I trust him to build a tack driver but does this sound right for a hunting rifle?
From what I know if I 7tw I can shoot heavier bullets then 8tw is this correct?
I'm starting to read up on the proper dies to purchase but I don't want to purchase unneeded dies if possible, remember this is a hunting gun & not a bench gun.
From what I know if I 7tw I can shoot heavier bullets then 8tw is this correct?
I'm starting to read up on the proper dies to purchase but I don't want to purchase unneeded dies if possible, remember this is a hunting gun & not a bench gun.
Why such s long barrel to hunt with ? 22/250 would be good but I would just shoot 55-70 gr bullets out of a 9 twist .223 26" long , way longer barrel life with the .223
That's why I'm asking about barrel life I have no clue. my first plan was to replace the 22-250 I traded my son but I can get a 22-250 anywhere and have a very accurate gun. I've wanted something custom but never had the cash to do it but since I now have the stock & action I can swing it with the help from my builder. and I have a .223 & .220 swift I'd like something a little heavier for when the wind picks up.
Yes mostly woodchuck last year I was using anything from a 17rem to my 220 swift but mostly my 22-250 and my longest confirmed kill was in around 320 but I had opportunities and 700 plus shots but either missed ( due to me or wind ) or didn't take the shot and moved closer. I have a few farmers that let me hunt their properties and in total I have about 6500 acres to hunt so we are usually chasing cut fields.
Parker I talked to Bill for about an hour and a half tonight, great guy very knowledgeable, I learned a lot.
I have a Caldwell dead shot maginum tripod.
I have a Caldwell dead shot maginum tripod.
The gunsmith told me he will be able to fit a heavier barrel than what it was stock (Rem 700 LS) and he is recommending either a Brux #3 or #4 contour I was hoping to have a barrel similar to the barrel on my Savage trophy predator. What do you all recommend?
Are carbon barrels any good? Would a 1" contour be able to be fitted in my stock?
Are carbon barrels any good? Would a 1" contour be able to be fitted in my stock?
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