Caliber Dilemma

[Idaho-Lefty]

Most manufacturers, are Making, 6 mm Creedmoor Rifles as lots of, Factory ammo for,.. IT ( Hornady Sponsored !).
There are a couple but NOT sure who ?,.. Seekin's,.. "Maybe" ?
The 6 Creed is Fine also, if, you don't Run it too,.. Hot ( Several choices ).
I just put, a RemAge Criterion bbl., on a Rem 700 SS, Short Action with, NO,. Mods's, needed.
A 1-7.5 or 1-8 Barrel Twist, works well with either, Cart.
Might look at, "Factory" 6 Creed Rifles IF, not wanting, a Semi-Custom,.. "Build", in 6 XC.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

A 1-8 Twist, .22-250 Rem., T-3, Tikka, would be, another GOOD, Choice for WHAT you, want to Do.
Avoid, the Fluted Barrel, Lite Model, tho !
K-22 on Here LOVES,. His Tikka T-3 for, the 53 gr V-Maxes to, up to, 75 grain Bullets and, can't hardly, be Beat !
Lots of, .22-250 Ammo and Rifles, ARE, out there,.. BUT, Tikka is, My Favorite, Fact Rifle.
Just watch for, the TWIST,.. chosen !

 

[LHSmith]

Do you handload? Based on the current shortages I would consider only the more common chamberings. IMHO places to shoot and ammo availability won't be improving.

 

[K22]

I live and hunt groundhogs and predators extensively in eastern PA. With the changes if farming practices and overdevelopment, about 95%+ of my safe shot opportunities are under 300 yards.

The 223 Rem in an accurate bolt rifle handles all my current varmint / predator hunting needs. It's economical to reload, virtually no recoil, and capable of varmint level accuracy which I consider is 1/2 to 5/8" moa. All my heavy varmint rifles, except my Tikka, have a 12" twist to optimize the use of 50 and 55 grain Nosler BT bullets. The Tikka varmint model, 8" twist, shoot the 60 Vmax sub 1/2 moa.

If you hunt in more open areas that can be found in central PA, it's hard to imagine a better pure varmint caliber than the 22 250 which I also shot for many years. As long as you don't plan to do a lot of bench shooting because it can be hard on barrels, this would be a good choice especially for shots over 300 yards. With careful shot sequence management, you can get 2000 to 3000 rounds varmint level accuracy life.

I've also used the 243 Win as a dual-purpose rifle, i.e., deer and varmints / predators. It does both quite well. In a heavy accurate varmint rifle, this can serve as an excellent long range varmint and predator rifle. The same precaution on barrel wear applies to this caliber.

 

[grantre72]

Do you handload? Based on the current shortages I would consider only the more common chamberings. IMHO places to shoot and ammo availability won't be improving.

Yes, I do.

 

[ckaberna]

you can’t go wrong with a good ole 6br. everyone should own one.

One?? Need a minimum of 3, barrels anyway
8 twist 29” barrel
14 twist 22” barrel
8 twist 18-19” barrel (suppressed)

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Yes, I do.

For what you want to, "Do" and for, a GOOD,.. Factory Rifle,.. "Choice", I'd be looking at, the .223 Rem or, .22- 250 with, 8 Twists in, a T-3, Tikka for, "almost",.. Bench Rest Level, precision at, an affordable Price.
Both, have LOW Recoil, will be, very accurate and LOTS of, Factory Ammo,.. available !

 

[acloco]

223 with 1:8 twist barrel is an excellent choice. Pick a bullet weight/type and go for it.

6mm Creedmoor would be my other choice. Today, running 105 Nosler RDF's, 1.25"x1.25" group at 500 yards was my reward. With a bone stock Savage model 10 with 26" varmint barrel.

 

[grantre72]

I live and hunt groundhogs and predators extensively in eastern PA. With the changes if farming practices and overdevelopment, about 95%+ of my safe shot opportunities are under 300 yards.

The 223 Rem in an accurate bolt rifle handles all my current varmint / predator hunting needs. It's economical to reload, virtually no recoil, and capable of varmint level accuracy which I consider is 1/2 to 5/8" moa. All my heavy varmint rifles, except my Tikka, have a 12" twist to optimize the use of 50 and 55 grain Nosler BT bullets. The Tikka varmint model, 8" twist, shoot the 60 Vmax sub 1/2 moa.

If you hunt in more open areas that can be found in central PA, it's hard to imagine a better pure varmint caliber than the 22 250 which I also shot for many years. As long as you don't plan to do a lot of bench shooting because it can be hard on barrels, this would be a good choice especially for shots over 300 yards. With careful shot sequence management, you can get 2000 to 3000 rounds varmint level accuracy life.

I've also used the 243 Win as a dual-purpose rifle, i.e., deer and varmints / predators. It does both quite well. In a heavy accurate varmint rifle, this can serve as an excellent long range varmint and predator rifle. The same precaution on barrel wear applies to this caliber.

K22 - thank you for the very detailed response to my question.

Others have mentioned the 223 bolt and it makes sense, especially considering powder consumption, barrel life and I already have the dies. I know the 243 and 22-250 are time-tested varminters and offer a lot of versatility for reloading and other applications. At this point the 223 sounds more practical, but the 243 and 250 sound more fun...

 

[Ray123]

You already have rifles for long range varmint...the 300 PRC for 2000 yd chucks...
But since you're not doing that, for chucks the 222 works really well, cause the rockchuck I engage tend to peek out, with eyes on the top of the head leaves little to shoot at, but a 222 will drill the eyeball in field conditions. They are acccurate with a variety of powder and economical to shoot. and it's killed coyotes past 200 yds for me.. but seems light for longer range coyotes...but an old boy in my neck of the woods used it to kill elk...just like the Eskimos used the 222 to kill walrus and polar bear... and saw him smoke sage rats way out there...secret it will shoot very nice groups at 500 yds on paper, and the factory specs for pressure are set low...bump it up a bit...my sage rat load was 3750 fps with 40 Nosler BT..with accuracy and long barrel life...the little 222...different today...common in yrs gone by...but very practical.

 

[JB10]

I may have missed if you said this, but do you wanna build a rifle or buy off the shalf?

 

[linebaugh]

204 ruger

 

[grantre72]

I may have missed if you said this, but do you wanna build a rifle or buy off the shalf?

I don’t have the expertise or the $ (I think) for a custom, so I’m leaning towards a factory/shelf.

 

[JB10]

So for an off the shelf rifle i would go 223 or 204R. Cheepish to shoot these days and lots of ammo choices for 223 if you dont reload. I have taken lots of coyotes with 223 and 204.

 

[Andy Work]

The 22-250 is tough to beat.

 

[CharlieNC]

The 223 can be loaded with a wide range of bullet weights, mine go from 69-90gr. The 90 runs with the 308 out to 600yd in fclass, and with 75gr shoots steel well out to 1000yd. Very diverse, easy to load, and accurate!

 

[cheek9075]

What's wrong with the 6.5 Creed? I have killed rock chucks 300-1000 yards. Dead steel out to a mile.
Always fun to get a new one. But don't forget the reason you bought it to begin with.

Just because it's a 6.5CM. Man has to stand for something and I'm about not having one. How about 260 rem, or 260AI, just a plain old 308.

 

[cheek9075]

Heavy twist 223 bolt gun. I'm getting 3200fps with a 1:7 twist barrel with 75gr bullet. No recoil. Less powder, and you can get brass anywhere. It's my go to rifle. It's heavy but still my go to.

6-250AI I put together last year. It Maybe my new go to rifle. Youngest son has claimed it though??¿

 

[ben lurkin]

Here’s an idea for shooting chucks. Sportsman’s Warehouse has their M1500 on sale for $499. Get one in 240 Weatherby or 25-06. They’re accurate enough to the distances you mention and you won’t be doing high volume shooting and there’s no question about a solid hit with one of these. For low volume shooting you won’t have a worry about barrel life. Either will turn chucks into predigested coyote treats! Put the savings into a good scope and have fun.

 

[muleystalker]

A .204 Ruger who'd fit your needs but I think a 6x45 or 6x45ai with an 8 twist throated for 95gr bullets would be great for you. It will also shoot the 87gr VMAX great. I believe COOPER Rifles sells a 6x45. Im sure there might be a couple others. The 6x45 is easy to load for just neck up .223 brass to 6mm, dies are available everywhere and lots of 6mm bullets.