I have decided to build a a dedicated varmint/target gun. I currently have mostly larger hunting guns for whitetails and on up and want to dust off a savage action that has been laying around and get something thrown together that i can punch paper and coyotes with. Keep in mind that the coyotes out my way are quite large, not that a well placed round out of my 22-250 wont do the job i just want something more accurate with somewhere in the 75-125 grain bullets. I think I'd like to go 6mm as I currently have a 223,22-250,270,7mm-08,7mm WSM, 308, 300 WM. I'm leaning towards a 6mm BR or one of its improved versions, or a 6-6.5x47. I want to use lapua brass and plan to shoot it a good bit so barrel life is somewhat important. Rifle will have a box mag so seating length is limited but wouldn't be an issue with either of those calibers. Other than mag length and 308 bolt face though I am open to other options if someone has a better idea. Rifle will likely get a 22-24" barrel to keep it compact for varmint hunting.
New varmint rig, now to pick a chambering
- Thread starter wvuredneck09
- Start date
stacy
2 TIMOTHY 2 VERSE 15
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idahoorion
Silver $$ Contributor
Before you go 6mm Br. get with someone who'll line out how to make it feed and eject. a concern for a repeater. if you can get that done it'll be a great choice
Idahoorion
6 competition match would be my first choice. Feeds great and awesome barrel life. What's not to like. Imho.
Regards, Paul
www.boltfluting.com
Regards, Paul
www.boltfluting.com
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm not doubting you, but my experience with the Dasher feeding mirrors the 6BR. Curious as to what rifle the Dasher is feeding well in? I figured out some modifications that make this system feed the BR's and Dashers:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Kwik...WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products#BVQAWidgetID
Went through deer season here and a trip out West carrying a 6 Dasher with a modified KwikKlip magazine and experienced zero feeding problems. I am a big fan of detachable magazines for hunting rifles. I prefer a Dasher, however the 6BR is also a good choice. If you decide in favor of either of these, I can send you a picture of the modified detachable KwikKlip magazine.
I was concerned about the feeding issues with the 6br. If i stick with my plan i'm stuck with AI mags as i plan on using this project to try out a chassis system.
6x6.8 will do all your wants, exceptions are lapua does not make 6.8 spc brass you will need.
Bolt face is .420" & you would have to buy a PTG bolt head or have a smith open a .223 bolt head which is likely not what you want though. Otherwise it will do what you want of it.
Ive ran my 6x6.8 to 829 yards 1 shot coyote kill so far w/a 55g bullet.
Coyotes here run 36-50lbs on males and this set up is more than perfect.
6mm AR or any of its variants off the 6.5 Grendel case in a bolt rig is as perfect & parent 6.5 Grendel brass is had from lapua
the above will have long barrel life like the 6br. Bolt face is .445" so again getting away from your standard bolt faces.
Just some other thoughts overall.
Bolt face is .420" & you would have to buy a PTG bolt head or have a smith open a .223 bolt head which is likely not what you want though. Otherwise it will do what you want of it.
Ive ran my 6x6.8 to 829 yards 1 shot coyote kill so far w/a 55g bullet.
Coyotes here run 36-50lbs on males and this set up is more than perfect.
6mm AR or any of its variants off the 6.5 Grendel case in a bolt rig is as perfect & parent 6.5 Grendel brass is had from lapua
the above will have long barrel life like the 6br. Bolt face is .445" so again getting away from your standard bolt faces.
Just some other thoughts overall.
I have a 6.5 Grendel at that I am planning to sell due to the fact that it's to heavy for any field work I have thought about a 6.5 Grendel bolt gun but would need a new bolt face, no new dies though.
WV -
Howdy !
A .250 Savage would fit your set of requirements well:
- You can use .22-250 brass from Lapua ( if desired ), and simply neck-up to .250" calibre.
- A .250 Savage would be useable for not only coyotes and varmint, but also on deer; and is plenty accurate for target work.
- Even with the on-going and perhaps now fore-castable shortages of certain bullets/brass, one still sees .25 cal bullets on gunstore shelves quite often.
Here's where use of the comparatively less popular .25 calibre could work to your advantage !
I shot a 22" barreled M-77 .250 Savage for many years. It was canned death on groundhogs when using Sierra 75HP's.
.250 Savage factory guns are often offered w/ a 1-10 twist, which is certainly workable w/ bullets of 75- 100gr.
It'd be a great walking varminter/sporter, featuring low recoil and modest report.
With regards,
357Mag
Howdy !
A .250 Savage would fit your set of requirements well:
- You can use .22-250 brass from Lapua ( if desired ), and simply neck-up to .250" calibre.
- A .250 Savage would be useable for not only coyotes and varmint, but also on deer; and is plenty accurate for target work.
- Even with the on-going and perhaps now fore-castable shortages of certain bullets/brass, one still sees .25 cal bullets on gunstore shelves quite often.
Here's where use of the comparatively less popular .25 calibre could work to your advantage !
I shot a 22" barreled M-77 .250 Savage for many years. It was canned death on groundhogs when using Sierra 75HP's.
.250 Savage factory guns are often offered w/ a 1-10 twist, which is certainly workable w/ bullets of 75- 100gr.
It'd be a great walking varminter/sporter, featuring low recoil and modest report.
With regards,
357Mag
As far as I am concerned a true varmint caliber has to have some velocity + or - 4000 fps, I am sure you can do the job with rounds 3000 fps rigs or even slower. Heck you could even get away with Trail Boss loads, but if you want to enjoy the varmint hunt it is they only way to go.
Dean
Dean
I had two savage dedicated coyote rifles built.. just for longer than normal coyote killing.
My .22-243AI with a 80gr. Amax shoots 3558 fps... and kills coyotes grave yard dead.... way out there.
My 20-250 AI with 55 bergers, at 3770 fps, has the same ballistics as my 22-243 AI out to 700 yds... then the 22 starts showing a little advantage.
You ONLY need a custom coyote killing machine if you plan on shooting them past 400 yds on a regular basic.... if not, then most factory calibers will work.
Both rifles are zeroed at 300 yds, and both drop 7 inches at 400 yds. I never adjust turrets until they are further than 400. They both drop 12 inches more out to 500...(19 total) ...
36" to 600..
and 60" to 700..(61" with the 20 cal).
and 90" to 800...(94" with the 20 cal)
When shooting a coyote in the 350 yd area.... just aim on top of body line, hair or spine...
if at 400 yds.. just give a tad of air gap over the hair line.
They drop in just Beautiful.
PS.... I JUST REALIZED THAT HE IS NOT REALLY WANTING TO SHOOT LONGER THAN NORMAL RANGES.... THEN JUST GET A... 6 CALIBER...
My .22-243AI with a 80gr. Amax shoots 3558 fps... and kills coyotes grave yard dead.... way out there.
My 20-250 AI with 55 bergers, at 3770 fps, has the same ballistics as my 22-243 AI out to 700 yds... then the 22 starts showing a little advantage.
You ONLY need a custom coyote killing machine if you plan on shooting them past 400 yds on a regular basic.... if not, then most factory calibers will work.
Both rifles are zeroed at 300 yds, and both drop 7 inches at 400 yds. I never adjust turrets until they are further than 400. They both drop 12 inches more out to 500...(19 total) ...
36" to 600..
and 60" to 700..(61" with the 20 cal).
and 90" to 800...(94" with the 20 cal)
When shooting a coyote in the 350 yd area.... just aim on top of body line, hair or spine...
if at 400 yds.. just give a tad of air gap over the hair line.
They drop in just Beautiful.
PS.... I JUST REALIZED THAT HE IS NOT REALLY WANTING TO SHOOT LONGER THAN NORMAL RANGES.... THEN JUST GET A... 6 CALIBER...
Last edited:
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
That is a long action so something in the 243/6mm Rem range can be considered. Even a 40 degree shoulder version would work, feed and shoot. Of course, you now get into the barrel life issue. Nothing better for that thats a 6BR or one of the improved versions of it for barrel life. Then it's back to the feeding and that long action.
Let me throw out a "wild one". 257 Roberts or an improved version. You can use lighter weight bullets, still get good barrel life and performance, good feeding etc. Only thing is people just seem to bring up the 25 cal bullet issue.
Work with what is available and you do find some nice bullets to meet your needs.
Let me throw out a "wild one". 257 Roberts or an improved version. You can use lighter weight bullets, still get good barrel life and performance, good feeding etc. Only thing is people just seem to bring up the 25 cal bullet issue.
Work with what is available and you do find some nice bullets to meet your needs.
The action is a short action for sure. I'm thinking more and more after reading through all of the comments that a 6br, or one of its spawn is out. Based on the comments and feedback I've had so far I'm leaning towards the following calibers now (but still open to hear ideas):
22-250AI
6-6.5x47
7mm-08
One thing i do have going for me is i don't have to battle wind like those of you in the west/mid-west. I hardly ever see more than 10MPH and most days its closer to 2-3MPH.
22-250AI
6-6.5x47
7mm-08
One thing i do have going for me is i don't have to battle wind like those of you in the west/mid-west. I hardly ever see more than 10MPH and most days its closer to 2-3MPH.
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