Which cartridge and twist?

[markr]

I am getting ready to barrel an action that I have laying around and finish it up as a general varmint/deer rifle. Which cartridge would you all reccommend?
I will choose between a 220 Swift AI and intend to shoot bullets from 69 grains to maybe 80 gr. What twist would you guys reccommend?
Also on the table is a 6mm Rem AI and would probably shoot bullets of 95 to 100 grains, again what twist bbl would you reccommend?
Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[devildogandboy]

while i wouldn't use the Swift for deer myself, an 8 twist would work for those bullets.
with the 6mm i would go 9 twist for bullets up to 100 grns. below that 10 twist would work fine.
hope this helps.

 

[357Mag]

Markr -

Howdy !

IMHO - for the .220AI, a twist of 1-12 for 65gr bullets, a faster twist if you go heavier on bullet wt.

In the 6MM AI, recommend 1-8 for bullets 88 -105gr, faster twist if heavier bullets used.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Rtheurer]

1:8 For both.

A 1:9 might be OK with the swift and 80gr+ in the 224 cal bullets but 1:8 will FOR SURE with no harm in it at all.

1:8 for the 100gr+ class of bullets in the 6mm.

Very best of luck... Got to love those parts gun projects. I think I have enough stuff around to do one of those myself. Got a Short Action Model 70 that was my first rifle and will never sell but is just laying around begging for a project.

RT

 

[Catfish]

I would go with an 8 twist. My 224 TTH is a tack driver with the 80 gr. Sirrea MK`s.

 

[Terry]

Please tell us more.

Varmints: Which ones, High volume shooting?

Deer: Whitetail or Mule Deer? Normal Ranges?

 

[markr]

Please tell us more.

Varmints: Which ones, High volume shooting?

Deer: Whitetail or Mule Deer? Normal Ranges?

I believe that on this rifle, 75-100 shots/yr would more than catch it!
Varmints- Feral cat, groundhog, fox and coyote.
Whitetail deer would be shots from about 275 yds to 600 yds. I have been using an P.O. ackley built 6.5X257 Rob. AI since I purchased it from a family friend in 1990. I want to retire this great rifle and replace it with a modern rifle that will fit the bill. Really I just want to be able to scrape it around a little without worrying about the finish and the value. And..... I'd like something just a little more modern. I will scope it with a NF BR scope most probably.

 

[Cort]

I think that the minimum deer caliber is .25. Yes, I know that lots of deer are killed every year with .243's and smaller but if the shot is slightly off, or the distance is a little long, then the deer is likely to be wounded rather than harvested. I feel this is particularly true if you plan to stretch the distance over 100 - 150 yards. Your 6.5X257 Roberts AI is a good choice. In my opinion any caliber greater than the .257 Roberts would be a good choice. I like the 6BR for varmints but as soon as you put a good sized deer in the mix, then I want something bigger.

Cort

 

[stapher1]

Where are you hunting? Is heavily wooded or brushy or open terrian?

 

[JRS]

You might give the 22-250AI some thought. Case capacity is within .1 grain of the swift, good brass and dies are readily available. The difference between the standard swift and improved version is so small, you would never realize it. Weatherby tried this with the 220 Rocket. It didn't last very long.

Just a thought

 

[bheadboy]

i am an old goat that thinks small bullets at long range are not the bill for deer, yes pd, and other vermin with the cartridges and bullets you suggest. but not deer if you are looking beyond 200-300yd

i agree with afore mentioned .25 cal and bullets 100-125 as a minimum for what you describe. look at the 257 roberts AI, or the 25-06 plainor AI

sounds like a fun project.

Bob

 

[Lapua40X]

IMO, .220 Swift is a good varminter but not what I would select for hunting deer.
6BR Twist 1:8 Cartridge 105 - 108 gr range
That's the varminter/bench competition gun I use and it wouldn't trade it for anything.
I sometimes use a lighter bullet, generally 80 grains for varmints like squirrels, but only if that's all I happen to have on the bench.
Whether you use a 6BR for game depends, IMO, on how well you shoot. If you're the type of hunter who passes up a shot that your range finder says is further away than you can accurately shoot (considering elevation, how much of the target you can see, whether its a broad side or angular shot, wind, terrain and what's available to support the weapon) then the 6BR can work. I've hunted deer and antelope with a 7mm (which is a mere .040 larger than the 6BR) and dropped them with a single shot at over 600 yards under ideal conditions. But if any of the factors I listed registered a negative in the target evaluation process I'd have never taken the shot.
Only you can make the final decision based on what you know about yourself and the rifles you shoot.
Best of luck with the hunt.

 

[Valar]

220 good varmit round. but not legal in some states for deer. Though the hydrostatic shock would be effective in my book. I would go 6mm for dual purpose. personally I like 243. Bullets available off the shelf plenty accurate for hunting. devastating on coyotes etc. A bit much for prarie dogs but effective. I suggest a 20 cal for varmits and 243 or 308 for deer. Yes cost of two guns but hey ya get to guns. Win win situation to me! I love my 204 , 26 grain varmit grenades literly vaporise squirrls. 40 and 50 grainers devastate coyotes. But I have a 308. No recoil on 204 so you can watch the hit thru the scope even with 50 grainers