Which caliber for next build?

[toasty]

I have a savage short action that is not being used. To pass the time from spring until hunting season, I like to build a rifle and see how well I can get it to shoot. I am planning on ordering a suppressor for this build and will probably do some pdog hunting with it, but mostly it will be for punching paper and for the kids to practice shooting for fall hunts. Needs to be short action and be low to moderate recoil. Not opposed to a wildcat, but must be able to have it made by major barrel makers like shilen or criterion, buy dies, and be able to get good brass or easily form brass like lapua or norma. Accuracy is the name of the game and expect something in the .25-.35moa accuracy range. Already have builds in the 17 hornet, 204 ruger, 6x45 (6mmx223 Rem), 243 win, 260 rem, 6.5 creedmoor, 7mm-08, or 338 fed.

Thinking about something in 22 cal like a 22 rem bench rest, 22ppc, or 22-250, but open to others as well and thought about the 17 rem. Any newer cartridges or oldies that are overlooked that you guys think I should consider that do something that the above cartridges don't?

 

[joshb]

Edit!
6br.....of course!
Or:
6.5x47 and have fun.

Re-edit: Charlie said it, below. How could you NOT have a 223? I think you over looked it because it’s too common. It’s common for a reason.

 

[std7mag]

What about the 250 Savage?
I'm loading mine with everything from Sierra 75gr HP through 115gr Berger VLD.
Accurate, modest recoil.
Ground hogs & coyotes hate the 75gr Sierra HP & 90gr BlitzKings!
Furthest coyote so far was 375 yards. One & done.
Also enough power for deer.

I'm building a benchrest rifle around a Savage action & Shilen 26" barrel.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Of your list of 22's, I suggest the 22ppc......

Regards
Rick

 

[PopCharlie]

+1 for 6.5x47L. Lots of fun to shoot. Easy to tune. Bughole accuracy.
PopCharlie

 

[Fuj]

Been thinkin' about a .221 Fireball for the youngest grand
son. Do it with an 8 twist, 18" barrel.

 

[457ciSBC]

222 Remington.....perfect for punching paper and kids; inherently accurate, very low recoil, flawless feeding through factory magazines, no fuss necking up/down, no fireforming and Lapua brass is available.

 

[CharlieNC]

It should be a law that everyone own a 223.

 

[Shooter13]

If you are going to order a suppressor you are already late! Took me 13 months to get the stamp, total BS but it is what it is. Order now!

 

[Kurz]

222 Remington.....perfect for punching paper and kids; inherently accurate, very low recoil, flawless feeding through factory magazines, no fuss necking up/down, no fireforming and Lapua brass is available.

This about says it all. I will always have a .222 Rem. for varmints and kids to train on. It's important to consider single shot or magazine feed since some of the shorter small cartridges can be a little cantankerous during feeding. Most kids I start with single feed until they understand all the basics of safety so the .222 Rem. fits that bill right off the bat. Lots of good Lapua brass available and others will follow later this year. It's easy to build a high quality load for accuracy.

OTOH, I like:

.22 PPC
.22 BR
.22 Dasher
6x47 Lapua
6XC

Enjoy the process!

 

[jpx2rk]

20 Practical

 

[acloco]

223 AI

Or

222 Magnum AI (neck up 204 brass)

 

[K22]

Decision process I go through when I decide on selecting a caliber / rifle:

1. Maximum anticipated distance that shots will need to be taken.

2. Precision required (varmints vs predators vs big game)

3. Terminal performance needed at maximum distance.

4. Volume of shooting anticipated as related to barrel wear.

5. Ease in obtaining components (I shoot only reloads) but for factory ammo guys availability of ammo - today's shortages not withstanding.

I always end up at the same place, varmints/predators - 223 Rem, big game - 308 Win., 243 Win backup for the other two uses and if longer varmint/predator shots are needed at a farm where I hunt. Not "sexy" options but I like to keep things simple and uncomplicated and spend more energy, thought, and money on honing field shooting marksmanship skills than anguishing over equipment.

PS: Self Confession: I'm practical to a fault

 

[STOMP442]

Only thing your list doesn't have is a .25 Cal. I say .250 Savage, 250 Ackley or 25 Creed. Very light recoil with all of those and plenty of umpf for deer if needed and excellent bullet selection for the Pdogs and everything in between. Standard 10 twist will stabilize all the way up to the 115gr Berger which is an outstanding performer on deer size game. You can get the new 7 or 8 twist and shoot the new 131s and 135s if they ever become available again.

 

[redrockranger]

If building a 22 BR go with the 22 BR Norma/Lapua. 22 BR Remington is outdated / obsolete. There is a chamber length difference. Lapua/ Norma brass is available if your lucky.

 

[jackieschmidt]

6BR. Use a 1-12 twist and shoot bullets from any of the popular Benchrest in the 65 grn range to 80 grn Barts.
light recoil, and the accuracy requirements are well within your .250 range.

 

[ttfreestyle]

6br, it doesn’t get much easier and the criterion 6br barrels seem to shoot better than they should.

 

[357Mag]

Toasty -

Howdy !

+1 on what Std7mag said.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[toasty]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I do have a 223 rem, just not in bolt action. I had not given the 250 savage any thought. 222 Rem is also a great option that I have thought about along with the 22 hornet. 6mm br or ppc is just too similar to my 6x45 which is shooting at .25moa to 300 yards right now. Shilen has a 22BR in .246 and .248, anyone know which one is lapua?

 

[Forum Boss]

For Pdog hunting I would do a 22BR.

Go with a fast twist... that will let you shoot every bullet weight and get more action on critter hits. If you do a custom reamer I might do a 22 BRA.

Mind you I started 6mmBR.com, and it was inspired by my 6BR Savage with a prefit barrel. But if this was primarily a Pdog rifle I recommend the 22 BR, Lapua brass.

If it's really more for paper punching, do 6BR 8-twist, with ample freebore. Good bbl life, easy tuning.