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Calibers to fill in a mid-range gap

I currently have three rifles, a 17 Fireball, 20 Tactical, and 308. I use them all for hunting and practice time on the range. Two of them are Coopers and one a Dakota Predator, all single shots (308 is a repeater, but my gunsmith is making me a single shot follower). The 17 Fireball I use for coyote, fox, and bobcat and the 20 Practical for coyote. 308 is strictly for deer.

I would like to get a 22 caliber that can complement my 20 tactical, and a 6mm of sorts to complement the 22 cal. I reload, so I am not adverse to wildcats. I want to use good brass. Mostly I use Lapua or Norma. I rather have calibers easy to reload for. I am not against fireforming, if the fireformed loads can be used accurately. I don't mind buying form dies, but I don't want an overly laborious reloading process when easier to reload for calibers exist. I like efficiency in regards to powder used and fps. I almost always buy single shots, or repeaters that use a single shot follower. I like the precision and patience required of using only one round. It ties into my bowhunting interests.

I was planning to use the 22 caliber for range work and longer distance coyote/varmint hunting. I was thinking about a 22br as I like the accuracy potential and efficiency, while being flat shooting and less barrel wear than a 22-250.

For a 6mm I was thinking about a 6br for longer range target and varmint work, and shorter range deer hunting (<300 yards). For deer hunting I would like as minimum to use something in the 85gr ranger, but it would be nice to use the 70gr+ bullets for varminting, but not critical. If I had to trade-off because of twist, I would sacrifice the lower end for the upper. I really want this to be a long distance varmint caliber and a under 300 yards deer caliber. That said, it is not that important if I can't shoot the 100gr+ bullets for 600 yard target practice. Although that would be nice too, I understand no twist/caliber will do it all.

So for a 22 caliber is the 22br a good choice? I was thinking a twist that could handle 55-65gr bullets. Is this the sweet spot in regards to powder, velocity and bullet weight for the 22br, or is it more in the 50-60gr range? I am sort of looking for a caliber that is efficient and flat shooting for the range of bullet weights I want to use.

In a 6mm version, would the 6mmbr be sufficient for the 85gr+ range or is there a better caliber that would handle the 80-100gr bullets better? I guess I am wondering where the sweet spot is in this caliber, or whether there is a better caliber whose sweet spot is in the 80-100gr range. I know a 243 would be great, but I am looking for a more efficient, less overbore cartridge, so if an opportunity comes about for some 600 yard shooting I wouldn't have to worry about my barrel burning out prematurely.That said, I am not adverse to a 243 either.

I've done a ton of searching and feel confident that a 22br in a 1:10 or 1:12 twist would be fine. Not as confident with the 6br choice. Not sure there isn't something better for the bullet range I want to use, but maybe not. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
 
I believe the 22-250 or the 22br would be great, the advantage of the br is less powder/recoil etc the advantage of the 22-250 is more velocity however not much and the br is more accurate, I have had the 250 and love it, I would next build the br if I wanted one in that range. I would use 12 twist for the 50-55 bullets and 26" bbl

the 6mm some one else will chime in

Bob
 
Thanks, Bob.

Why do you prefer the 50-55gr versus the 55-65gr bullets? I was thinking the speed of the 22br or 22-250 is better used in the slightly heavier bullets, but I admit I may be totally wrong.
 
I've been hunting ghogs and predators for 40+ years and have tried most conventional cartridges.

In my humble opinion the 223 Remington is ideal out to 250 yards or so. All my 223's have 12" twists and with 50 or 55 grain Nosler's or Hornady V Max's they are excellent accuracy wise and have very effective down range performance.

I have several 223's ranging from a heavy barrel varminters with custom barrels to light weight stalking rifles like the Model 7 Remington and Browning X Bolt.

My case for the 223 is: long barrel life, easy to reload, extremely accurate with tailored reloads, light recoil for followup shots if needed, excellent down range terminal performance for ranges in the 250 yard area.

For distances beyond 250 yards or so I prefer the 22 250 or 243 on ghogs.

I believe any suitable varmint cartridge will work just fine; the limiting factor in my opinion is field marksmanship. Too many guy spend all their time on the bench and not enough time practicing under field conditions.

Don't over think it - it ain't rocket science.
 
My 26".223AI 8tw pushes the 80 grian A-Max at 3100 fps and change. Longest shot on a Chuck so far is 435 yards, actually two at that range. Both couldn't be deader. Of course throating is the key to get this velocity. Haven't lost a case yet at this velocity with 5-6 reloads on Lapua cases. I've killed several NC whitetail with it also but don't bank on an exit although neither went 30 yards. When ranges extend I would recommend a 6XC or 6X47L and the 105 grain A-Max in a 8tw tube. Should get you to 1K and beyond. JMHO
 
I have a 22PPC, a 22-250, a swift, a 6BR, 308, and a Khornet.

I like the 22-250 for g-hogs and the 22PPC is a dream. Norma unturned brass, Fed primer and varget with a 50 grain bullet and she does real well. The 22BR has a bit more gas so it sounds like a fine choice.

I love the 6BR I have in a no turn neck, 8 twist HArt. I can shoot 70 grain Blitzkings all the way up to 105 and 107's. It has plenty of ooomph for groundhogs, coyotes etc to about 700 yards. I would not heistate to shoot a whitetail with it, especially with 105 AMAX. I would stick to about 350-400 yards though...just me...don't want to wound something I can't recover. The BR outperforms its apparent size. I see no need for a dasher unless you are 1000 yard shooting.
 
If you want to reach out there with a 6, the 6mmAI is difficult to beat. I built one a few years ago and could not be happier. Heavy barrel and stock tames the recoil and it will reach out to the longer distances you want. I also get great accuracy when fire forming the brass.
 
I like my 22BR. It has a 1-12 twist, 26" barrel. I shoot 50-64gr bullets. I have since stuck with 53gr V-Max bullets. I had a 22-250, only shot 50gr bullets in it, but like the BR better-less powder, and more accurate. I'd sell my 22BR, since I am looking for something with a little "reach"---Dasher.
 
Gabe,

You need to seriously consider getting another barrel and building a switch barrel rig on your Cooper platform.....


kmcdonou,

If this is going to be a single shot rifle then get a 12 twist .22BR and a 8 twist 6BR and call it a day.
 
phil said:
kmcdonou,

If this is going to be a single shot rifle then get a 12 twist .22BR and a 8 twist 6BR and call it a day.

That is where I was leaning too. I have an opportunity to get a 22br Dakota Predator, but it is a 1:10 twist. Will the 1:10 over spin some of the 50gr bullets? That is, am I likely to have to use 55gr+? Also, about how heavy of a bullet can a 1:10 handle?
 
kmcdonou said:
phil said:
kmcdonou,

If this is going to be a single shot rifle then get a 12 twist .22BR and a 8 twist 6BR and call it a day.

That is where I was leaning too. I have an opportunity to get a 22br Dakota Predator, but it is a 1:10 twist. Will the 1:10 over spin some of the 50gr bullets? That is, am I likely to have to use 55gr+? Also, about how heavy of a bullet can a 1:10 handle?

50-69 gr bullets will be Ideal.
 
I love the Dakota`s....

Don`t let the 10 twist deturr you, if you have the opportunity and can swing the purchase, the ball is in your court......... 8)


I`m betting that 10 twist will shoot the 53 vmax at warp speed............... :o


Phil.
 
I have had several .22-250's and all were reasonably accurate and good varmint guns. But, I now have a .22 BR and love it as it shoots every thing I have tried from 40 to 60 grain bullets very well. It is a 1:12 twist 24" 3 groove Lilja Rem varmint contour. The 6BR is a good choice also. I have a .250 Ackley Improved that shoots lights out that I think may be the ideal antelope/deer/varmint round all wrapped up in one. It is way more accurate than it should be in a factory re-chambered barrel. I have moved towards more efficient cartridges also, getting away from some of the overbore stuff I used to chase maximum velocity. I am more interested in better accuracy, longer barrel life and less muzzle blast. About the only one I have not tried is a 22 PPC - which should be a fine choice also. My 6PPC Sako is extremely accurate and pleasant to shoot. Just my two cents.

Terry
 
I shot a friend's tricked out .22BR on a p-dog town and it was like lightning with 50Vmaxs. A 4-500yd pdog was a "gimme" with that heavy bench rig...wicked accurate!

Snert's .22PPC sure made me a fan of that little case, after seeing it on woodchuck detail!

I could easily justify having either one of those little suckers!
 
I've got a 22/6mm and love it! A 75gr a max at3600 and 80gr smk the same are bad medicine. If I get drawn for white tail I think I'm going to take it out
 
If you are going to do it.....do it right.... Build a 22 Dasher. 8) My 8 twist pushes 75 grain amaxs at 3500..... One heck of a fun gun!
 
If you are looking for a cartridge for field use then you may want to consider something that feeds well.

You might be able to fight and fiddle with a BR and get it to feed but it's hit or miss, something off the 6.5x47L case will feed well and may suit you better for both the 22 and 6 calibers.

Just something to keep in mind.
 

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