New Guy Needs Advice: First Varmint Rifle

[sdbob]

I bought a Cooper model 54 in 22-250 two years ago, wow what a well built gun. Easy to get it shooting great with blitzkings and H380 but don't underestimate the ability to see your hits through your scope. I shot over 2000 rounds of .204 last year at PD's through my AR (live in South Dakota), love watching those double back flips. .204 ruger is the way to go!!!

 

[onelastshot]

You've received a lot of good information from guys that speak from experience. The problem is simple, there are so many different options regarding caliber, action, trigger and barrel that it's impossible to suggest what is the "best" choice.

One of the best suggestions I received was to join a club if possible. You can make friends and many people are happy to let you try their pet rifle of choice.

I built my first custom last year and asked the same question as you and received numerous responses and great advise. I ended up choosing the 6mm AI for caliber and had McGowen out of Montana put a heavy barrel on a Mauser 98 action. I've got experience with woodworking so I built my own stock and glass bedded the action.

One factor in determining cartridge choice is whether you reload or not. There are numerous possibilities such as the 6mm AI but only if you reload. If you plan to shoot a lot and cost is a factor, the 223 cartridge is one of the best choices; an array of inexpensive ammo is available off the shelf and the barrel life is substantially better than the 22-250. It also has very little recoil.

Lastly, for years I used Leupold scopes on all my rifles. Last year I purchased a Vortex scope and over the past 12 months I've picked up three more. Dollar for dollar it's one of the best pieces of glass on the market today.

 

[tuck2]

I grew up in prairie dog country and over the years I have tryed to find the perfict rifle for shooting them. I have used Anschutz, Browning, Cooper, Kimber, Howa, Remington , Ruger , Sako,and Winchester,, all were bolt action rifles. They were a mix of sporter and varmint rifles. I started reloading ammo in 1953 so all I use is reloaded ammo in them. My goal was to get the center fire rifles to shoot 1/2 inch five shot 100 yard groups off a bench rest. Some of the actions were glass bedded, barrel free floated, triggers adjusted to a 2 3/4- 3 Lb pull. A few needed the bolt locking luggs lapped,and the muzzle recrowned. I have a mix of scope brands but most are Leupold and Burris. I like 6-18X AO and have a few 6.5-20 X AO scopes and lesser power on the rimfire rifles. So far the cartridges used were 17 HM2, 17 HMR, 17 Fireball, 17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 22 LR RF, 22 WMR, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 220 Swift, and 243 Win. For spring shooting when there a lot of p dog pups shots within 150 yards the 17 rimfires are used with the 17 Fireball rifle. By mid summer Ill use the 204 Ruger rifle , Prairie dogs get muzzle blast smart so I limit tje use of the 22-250 Rem, 220 Swift and 243 for longer rang shooting. --- If I could have only one rifle it would be one that fired the 204 Ruger round , It would be varmint weight with a 6-18 X AO leupold scope. My second rifle would be a 17 HMR. But come next spring I ll be trying out a 17 Hornady Hornet, Its Low muzzle blast and recoil , flat shooting out to about 250 yards could make it a fine prairie dog pup shooter.

 

[onelastshot]

Just a thought: Pick out the rifle you want, find the specific make and model that fits you best and you're comfortable with. Then, do your homework and find a good used one and don't worry what caliber it is.

Find a good gunsmith or company that specialize in custom barrels and have them re-barrel it to the caliber, barrel length and contour you want. You can always upgrade and have a Timney or Jewell trigger added. In the end, you have a rifle that's essentially new with the exact specifications you want.

In the end you will have a top end rifle well within your budget. The money you save can be used towards purchasing the right scope. Most die hard shooters will tell you that one thing you never compromise on is your choice of glass.

 

[AnDrewK]

thanks to everyone for all the good advice. I haven't made a purchase yet but I'm close. (Momma had a birthday so the checkbook took a hit) I'm getting the reloading bug too but I think I will start basic w/ a .223, good glass and a RCBS turret press and build from there. Clearly, from all I have read, it can get pretty addicting. I'm sure there will be another rifle in the future as I get more experience. Regards, Andy

 

[acloco]

There is a LOT of good replies in this thread.


I too, grew up and continue to shoot prairie dogs EVERY chance I get.

Optics - buy once, cry once. Anything over 18 power is useless in the heat of the day or heat from the barrel. I actually prefer a straight 12 or 16 power (Leupold Mark 4's work rather well and can be had used for 800/900).

Muzzle brakes - don't bother - they are called "loudeners" for a reason. Even though you wear muffs or ear plugs, your hearing will be hurt eventually.

Caliber - less powder = less heat = less barrel erosion.......which also means...less powder = more rounds down the tube!

I prefer a 223 AI (ai for other reasons below) with a fast twist barrel 1:8 or 1:9. Why? Speed kills. RPM's kill too! There is NOTHING better than cutting a PD in half....or...the preferred "heart shot" (aim at the base of the tail when the PD is south of you).

Why the AI? Brass prep. After firing, I have yet to need to trim brass after 8-9 firings. Neck size and go again.

Why the AI? Speed kills. 3500 + with 55 gr pills spinning in a 1:8 or 1:9 twist barrel is devestation at the other end. Listed below is a load workup from a couple years ago. Please don't copy this load - EVERY barrel is different!!!!!!!

1 3567.4 26.6 BM cci 450 55 vmax
2 3554.8 26.7
3 3583.6 26.8
4 3581.3 26.9
5 3573.2 27

Why the AI? Because I shoot prairie dogs when I fireform brass.

Why the 1:8 or 1:9 twist barrel? When you want to reach out and touch something....68, 69, or 75 gr bullets will work rather well.

STRING 05
SHOT VELOCITY
1 3283.6 69 HPBT 6.428685713
2 3274.8 69 HPBT 3284.56
3 3290.4 69 HPBT
4 3290.4 69 HPBT
5 3283.6 69 HPBT
SHOT VELOCITY
1 3098.6 75 gr Amax 12.05665791
2 3076.2 75 gr Amax 3093.64
3 3094.3 75 gr Amax
4 3109.1 75 gr Amax
5 3090 75 gr Amax


IMHO, go with 204 or 223 and practice with QUALITY optics, a GOOD trigger, and a GOOD stock!!!

I am a Savage guy, but won't turn down a Rem either. An ACCURATE Savage off the shelf is not uncommon. You can also build a very nice shooting Savage for little money. Barrel - $280 to $350. I prefer stainless. Fluting just looks pretty and can add stress to a barrel or weird harmonics. Trigger - $125 - Rifle Basix or Timney work very well. Stock - pick the one that fits you and your needs. If shooting PD's off a bench, something with a flat bottom forearm will work very well when riding the sandbags.

One person did post something above, that is not true. You still need to bed stocks with the aluminum block, as the receivers DO move. Don't believe me? Fire 30 to 50 rounds, pull the stock. There will be two lines on the aluminum block from the receiver moving back and forth. Shoot a little longer....and the lines will be apparent on the bottom of the receiver as well.

 

[NCFrank]

[/they do not need a muzzle break and for starters you do not need to spend a lot on "fixin" a Savage or Rem 700
Bobquote]

Muzzle brakes - don't bother - they are called "loudeners" for a reason. Even though you wear muffs or ear plugs, your hearing will be hurt eventually.

Indeed!
I've owned a Rem VS 22.250 for quite some time, very good caliber and shooter. Later had a brake put on. Waste of money. What was I thinking???
I'm not knocking any of the other good varmint calibers but you might be surprised what that little 223 or 223AI will do with good loads.

If you are certain about the turret press, I would give a serious look at the Redding T7. Stout press as far as turret types go.