varmint rifle choice

[chet]

My Buddy wants to get into varmint hunting, so I will get him started and take him along, he does not have much in varmint calibers ect. so his most reasonable way out I would think would be is rebarrel his heavy barrel 308 LE Savage rifle, I am trying to figure out caliber for long range, I was thinking of a heavy varmint contour 26" long in a 22-250 with an 8 or 9 twist for the 75-80 gr bullets, any thoughts on this caliber, or would a 243 be a better choice, he wants to be able to reach out around 700-800 yds.


thanks
Chet

 

[K22]

The first thing I'd do is realign his expectations - 700 to 800 yards is extremely difficult especially for varmint size critters.

Second, the scope will be just as important as the caliber he selects - he will need the highest quality scope available; probably something like a Nightforce.

If he's can be satisfied with shots up to 500 yards, either the 22 250 or 243 will work. The heavier bullets thus faster twists will do better at this distance since they will handle the wind better.

I'd opt for the 243 using the Hornady 105 A-Max with a 9" twist. This is not hunting bullet per se but might give you the accuracy needed at that distance to make consistant hits. I don't use them but I know of a fellow shooter who is a long range specialist who uses them quite successsfully on ground hogs out 500 yards or so.

 

[Carolina Man]

Many calibers are capable of 700-800 yds. Depends on how much exprence he has in long range shooting and how well he can read the winds. VolDoc did it with a 20 caliber on a Savage action. A 22 BR or 22 Dasher would work with 80 gr bullets and a fast twist barrel.

George

 

[BigDMT]

Or just build a 260 Remington and then he can use all the .308 brass he has saved up for reloading by just re-sizing the necks?

The 260 Rem has just as good velocity as the .243 and higher BC bullets to boot!

Or you could go with the 260 Ackley if he doesn't mind extra work of re-sizing AND fire-forming his .308 brass. Supposedly the 260 AI rivals the 6.5-284 for velocity.

Of course the .243 is based off the .308 case as well, but I'd bet inside reaming and outside neck turning would be needed to utilize his .308 brass once the neck was reduced.

 

[boltman223]

Has he/you thought about using the 308? I dont know if you are planning on keeping the fur or not. If not the 308 would work great. I shoot a 308 and i hit milk jug size targets at that distance(some what consistent) lol. No matter what cartridge he picks 700 and 800 yard shots are hard and I don't think that a different cartridges is going to make it that much easier, maybe increase his odds but not make it to much easier. I can't blame him for wanting to improve his odds though (i would), but maybe he has a lot of experience at that distance. If he does use his 308 at that distance I think it would be a good idea to keep using it since he already has some practice.

 

[boltfluter]

+1 on the .260. Very accurate, good B.C., and easy to load for. 123 A-max is a great bullet for this round. Very good expansion. Hope this helps. Paul. 8)

www.boltfluting.com

 

[gary0529]

Boltman,

I know that I am old and no longer appreciate getting the snot knocked out of me on a routine basis but I cannot imagine that I could enjoy 200 + rounds of any 308 loading in the p-dog field. ;D.

To keep the same boltface and just replace a barrel, I might look at the 243 IF you realistically expect to be shooting out to 700.

If not, as others have said, 22 cal will suffice.

I am no longer good enough to hit groundhogs at 700 yards with any consistency. (Probably never was :'(

Gary

 

[jerrschmitt]

For the last few years I have been using the 6BR for my prairie dog rifle. the 105 AMAX is devastating on the little critters, does well in the constant wind, is easy on barrels, has mild recoil and has the accuracy for 700 - 800 yard hits if you can judge the range and wind.

 

[boltman223]

gary

you are right a 308 is a lot of recoil for a p dog'n. I was only thinking about coyotes for some reason. I am not a big fan of recoil either, I dont like much more recoil than the 22 caliber rilfes produce. I am actually kind of a wimp when it comes to recoil.

I am going to agree with the others choices for a cartridge choice, they all offer good ballistics.

 

[RJinTexas]

6x47 Lapua pushing a 105 Amax gets my vote for long range wook. Better barrel life then a 243 and with less recoil. You can load the lighter 75 gr Vmax's for dog town work at closer distances.

RJ

 

[ChrisNZ]

Yeh, the 6 Hot esp with 115 DTACs is -def- up to the job for long range stuff though you'd need a faster twist for the 115s. It's certainly an efficient cartridge and won't knock you round with recoil.

Chris-NZ

 

[5spd]

I have zero problems dropping p-dogs at 800yds with both my .223s and the 22-250.
If he plans a lot of shooting Id pass on any heavy caliber gun and more practice with a light caliber.
Its going to make a big difference in the shoulder when you get into a nice p-dog town. The heavy blast from a bigger caliber will chase them right down the holes and they will stay there.

 

[Browningguy]

I went with .243 when I rebuilt my Savage, LW barrel, 28", 8 twist. I shoot the 85gr. Sierra for up to 300 yards and I'm working up loads now with the 107 SMK for long range.

 

[alton9]

How about a 22-250 with an 8 or 9 twist bbl? You can shoot the 75 A-max at around 3200fps and with a .435bc it works pretty good. Mine takes only 9moa to go from my 200 yd zero to my 600 yd zero. About 5 weeks ago I killed a coyote at a lasered 630yds with mine!!!!One cold bore shot!!!!! Needless to say I'm a big supporter of fast twist 22-250's.

 

[BigDMT]

Of course with a Savage action, a bolt face can easily be purchased for around $25 and changed to accomodate any cartridge. The .473" boltface is not the only option. Savage's are very easy to work on and modify yourself. That's the beauty of them. I own 2 myself. I think of them as being closely related to "legos" because every piece is easily interchangeable.

 

[areaone]

K.I.S.S. Alton9 summed it up best. My 8 twist 22 250 will shoot 55gr into little tiny holes and can shoot a 75 gr a max into very respectable groups at long range, 28 inch HV Hart barrel on a 700 action. I do not hot rod this round for the sake of the barrel, 34-3500 for the 55 gr at 400yds or less.

 

[Woodchuck6]

Personally, I wouldn't go larger than 6mm, due to the ricochet factor. I'd go with a .243 Win. or 6mm Rem. topped with a Leupold VX II or III 4.5 - 14 x 40. If he decides to buy a rifle and wants high quality at a moderate price point, check out the Weatherby Vanguards (built by Howa). I think they go for $350 to $550, depending on a few options like wood vs. synthetic, sub-MOA, etc.

 

[BigDMT]

You're absolutely right about ricochet from larger bullets Woodchuck6. Very good point : )

 

[calib]

You could always go with a 243 ai and shoot those distances pretty easy and shoot 95-115 grain bullets to get the job done. I shoot a 243 ai one with 1:9 twist with 95 grain Bergers shooting half Moa to 900 and another one with a 1:12 twist shooting 70 grain ballistic tips real well. Took a dog at 546 a couple weeks ago dropped it . You get a 1:8 twist and shoot the heavier bullets and it would buck the wind real well. Easy to make brass

 

[Juma]

Try a Browning WSSM 223. With 50 to 60 gr you have the flying death. ;D