? considering new rig pd, 400-750 yd

[hunter243sgk]

I have noticed that every time a topic like this comes up nobody mentions the 80g nbt. That bullet in a 243 or 243ai or similar caliber is very accurate and has very good explosive effects.

 

[powderbrake]

I went from 223 to 22-250 and now use the 6BR. I use Varget because it is less temperature sensitive, and the 88 gr Berger Flat base varmint. It smacks the dogs very well, at short and long range.

I believe the trick to long range dogs is the use of my range finding binoculars, a wind meter, a STABLE rotating bench and a good ballistics program on my iPhone. I typically range and wind check each shot. I have a collapsible antenna on my table with a small piece of yarn at the top for wind direction, and a wind meter to check the velocity. I crank on the scope knobs to input the settings from the ballistics program, and hold dead on.

As a previous post said " the hard part is you have to read the wind"

I highly recommend the 6BR. It's inherent accuracy, high ballistic coefficient bullets, ease of loading, available Lapua brass, all make for a great prairie dog round.

 

[redrockranger]

My gunsmith has a 6mmRem necked to 22 cal. He has a 1-8 twist and shoots 75gr A-Max bullets out at a "comfortable" 3600f.p.s. He also said it is the most accurate varmint rifle he has. There would be no doubt of it's effectiveness out to 600-800 yards for prairie dogs..

How's the barrel life ? Close friend that does barrel work ?

 

[ShootDots]

How's the barrel life ? Close friend that does barrel work ?

I do not know. He rarely shoots it and when he does, it is at feral hogs. I don't even have any idea how many rounds are presently through it.

 

[OKyote73]

My vote is 6-284, 6mmAI, 22/243aI. All three will get you to 1k easily. All do very well in wind

 

[VaRandy]

I vote for the .243 AI for your stated needs.

 

[Tommie]

IMO, the 87 grain vmax is one of the best p.d. bullets I've used.

If I were in your shoes, I would take inventory in the reloading room and choose a round that would push an 87 grain vmax to 3200 - 3300fps with mild pressures, or possibly a 105 grain amax at 3000 or so.

If you don't mind buying new brass, any of the recently developed rounds would work well, such as the 6xc, 6 Creedmoor, SLR, and so on. If you already have a good supply of brass for the 6mm Rem or 243 WIN, I'd recommend going with one of those.

John

This. Exactly.

 

[sscoyote]

Tell you what I'd like to try is the newer higher BC polymer-tipped 224 TMK's/ELD's out of a 223. Has anyone seen the price of the 80 A-Max's these days? 80 A-Max, BC .453/80 ELD-M, BC .485. Close enough, probably for 700ish. Just bought 1000 of the 80 A-Max's for $177. I think everybody's clearing out their A-Max's to make way for the newer ELD's.

Went out with a buddy several weeks ago who's shooting an accurate AR and watched him shoot 3 cottontails at 700-730 yds. using both the 77 TMK and 75 A-Max in ~6 shots in ~3 mph wind. Nothing quite like spotting those kinds of shots through a clear 10X binoc. on a sunny day. It was impressive for sure.

 

[stretch257]

I have used 22 br and 22-250 for close shooting out to 500 with good success. I was looking for the same thing and I decided to build a 6x47 lapua. I burned up a 243 too fast but it was good with 87 vmax at 3450. I think a little slower and another year out of the barrel will be nice. Then I use a 6.5x284 for 800 plus.

 

[NickB1075]

Alright I have to throw it in there cause it is one of my favorites and I didn't see a single mention. 6mm SLR !!! I have been shooting the SLR for about 2 years. It is very easy to form. Just run 243 brass in the sizing die load it and shoot it. It will do anything you are asking it to do. I have gotten great accuracy and barrel life. When loaded with some 88 bergers or similar it is a Lazer beam and devastating.

Nick

 

[daniel brothers]

when looking at wind drifts... nothing compares with a hot and heavy 22 cal.

 

[284winner]

ok fellows, here is the ? I have had 22-250, 222 221 22lr and loved them out to 45/500 on the 22-250 13 twist,

now I have a 222m, shoots great and good velocity with 50gr bk for 400/450 max, in my opinion,

so what would you build to go to beyond 400 to 750 for pd - open question, I have brain traveled to 22-250ai faster twist, 6mm ai, 257 ai, etc. for grins -- your thoughts single feed not mag feed I am not in a rush too old for that

thanks in advance

Bob

Check out the 22-243 post here in the varmint/hunting section.

 

[mauritz45]

20-250 with 55gr Bergers.
Check out The Woodchuck Den's Todd Kindler's great book Terriffic Twenties. --Cam

 

[JORTZ]

My go to gun for long range Pd humting is a 220 swift. Mine loves h414 and 60gr grain hornday spear points.