Rifle selection advice requested

[CanusLatransSnpr]

223 Rem and a 6BR don't use the same bolt face. A std. 22-250 would serve you well. Keep the barrel cool and it will last 2,200-2,300 rounds of usable life! Go with a 12tw. and 53gr. VMax bullets or an 8 tw. and 75gr. Amax bullets! Depends on how far you want to shoot? Not all that bad if you ask me?

Mike

 

[jackbrownii]

For PD hunting: You already have several rifle calibers that you can use for PD hunting. Cancel your 223 Rock River upper.

Except that I want the varmint upper.

There nothing better than a rifle that always shoots small groups.

This is true.

 

[jackbrownii]

A std. 22-250 would serve you well. Keep the barrel cool and it will last 2,200-2,300 rounds of usable life! Go with a 12tw. and 53gr. VMax bullets or an 8 tw. and 75gr. Amax bullets! Depends on how far you want to shoot? Not all that bad if you ask me?

Another vote for 22-250. Thanks.

 

[Indianaoutdoorsman]

I've been PD hunting exactly once. Learned quite a bit the first time thru. I took my ultra accurate AR, a CZ in Ruger .204, and my .22-250

For whatever reason, we had very little wind all three days. With the .204 and particularly the .223, they'd stay up for a while. At the first "boom" of the 22-250, virtually every dog was gone. After another few, everything out to maybe 400+ yards was down. And these hadn't been shot in three years. We actually ended up using .22's way more than anything else.

After I got back, I bought a CZ 453 Varminter, Heavy barrel, single set trigger. I shot two consecutive five shot groups in the .2's at 50 yards a few weeks ago with Wolf Ultra Match. That's going next time.

If you don't have REALLY good bino's, that would be high on my list. I got some Leupold Mojave 3 10x50's. Awesome

 

[Webster]

I believe you can get the smaller bolt face opened to the to the 308 case head diameter for a reasonable price.

 

[jonbearman]

I am shocked at all the conservative advice on where the op should put his money instead of a new rifle or such.Now my 2 cents.Some years ago ,a friend bought a new cooper.I had never heard of them so I wanted to see it.We took it to a local range to play with it. It was chambered on the .221 fireball.He shot it and it did real well.I got my chance and fired a 5 shot group that was under a .250 inch.To this day it is the most accurate rifle out of a box I have ever had the pleasure to shoot. I always wanted one but I got involved with other projects.I would highly recommend a cooper to anyone looking for decent accuracy out of a semi prodution rifle.I say go for it as we all know it is funto buy a new rifle now and then. The ar-15 upper would be a good thing too if you dont have one,the way the law is switching,get one before it is too late. That is my 2 cents and dont take it to the bank as they wont pay dividends.LOL

 

[RLP]

There are several good PD rifles but my 1st choice is a 20VT. mine is a Cooper 21 and is bench rest accurate. Its cheap to reload I have never had the barrel get hot. 2nd choice is an AR in 20 practical. Both 20 cals are lasers out to 500yd. 32 vmax in the vartarg and 40 bergers in the practical. 3rd choice 22-250 and its use only past 500. Its too loud at shorter range. This year I'm suppressing the 20 cals and can't wait for the first trip. Good Luck in your decision.



Bob

 

[alf]

I'm thinking about a new rifle. I'd love to go prairie dogging or rock chucking at some point. In moments of candid honesty with myself, I acknowledge that my rifles will likely be used for paper punching much of the time...

With such a diverse menu, it comes down to compromise, which will do real well for all, but not excel at any of the requirements, sometimes due more to the build than the cartridge. Big, fat, and heavy for PD's and paper, sucks to carry for RC's. Build it light for carry, and it heats up too fast for doggin'.


I vote for a 223 Ackley with an 8 twist, in a #5 contour around 23-24".

Fireform brass shooting PD's, 52 match's for paper, and 75 A-Max for the RC's covers all your bases.

It still leaves you the option of buying a factory gun and getting it re-chambered for minimal expense, or doing a full build to your specs.

(Actually, my vote is for a 22-204, same performance as the 223 AI, but no fireforming)

 

[Bodei]

If this rifle is for this summer, you really need to consider the availablility of .224 cal components! That's why I would do either a 20 or 17 cal. 17 FB brass is hard to find. 221 FB brass is around with good Nosler stuff hitting the stores now. 20VT also allows you to see all your carnage through the scope and barrel heat is not the issue it will be with a 22-250 or even a 223. I have a varmint AR and it will most likely sit in the safe this year.

 

[mikegaiz]

And now for something completely different.
Sako 75 or 85 Varminter in 260 Rem. great for wind and long range and great barrel life. You can get them with a sweet set trigger and they shoot great right out of the box. You won't be sorry.

 

[Webster]

When you buy a new rifle you never know how well it will shoot until you try it. Factory barrel, no glass bedding ect. I would rather take a decent rifle I currently own put Kreiger barrel on it, glass bed it and install a Jewell trigger. It has to be better than any factory rifle. I also like the fact that I am not accumulating a bunch of rifles that I won't use. I only own two rifles an Anschutz 22RF and a 6BR. I got rid of everything else.