gun to fill the void
I was out at the range a few days ago and realized that I needed a new toy for my collection. I already have a SAR-8 in .308 for bringing down anything (hopefully) that I should ever hunt, a Remington 1100 12 ga. which is technically my dad's but stays in my cabinet, an SKS for cheap and simple fun, and a 10-22 for rats and rabbits in the garden, so I figured the next thing I need is a good, long range varminter. I was thinking either a 22-250 or a .223, maybe in a Savage 12fvss or bvss, or a Remington VLS. Ive heard good things from CZ, Howa and Tikka, but if I stray from the rock solid Remington, it will be for the AccuTrigger and the Accutrigger alone. I was wondering what caliber also, I wouldnt be going after anything larger than a coyote, but that coyote could be 250 yds away, so I would want something that could reach out and touch him effectively. And, if I manage to bag a few rabbits, I would hope that theres enough meat for a meal and a recognizable pelt. And if theres any real difference in reloading, that is something I will be diving into in the next 6 months to a year. Well, I think thats all, sorry that this is so long-winded, but I wanted everyone to know everything so you could give helpful replys because its apparent the people here know what they're talking about. Thanks
"We must all fear evil men, but there is another kind of fear we must fear most...and that is the indifference of good men"
"We must all fear evil men, but there is another kind of fear we must fear most...and that is the indifference of good men"
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Welcome Blue. You sound well versed and I most cerainly will not pose as an expert. For what you describe, a .223 will do the job fine without the noise and muzzle blast of the .22-250. If that coy dog is out at 300 or more, I might choose the latter just for the flatter trajectory. But then, I never could judge range..[:(]..I'm partial to mod. 70s, but everything you mention is a good bet. The Savage is a good buy in my mind...Just my ramblings..
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.0 -
Rem 22-250 or 25-06 for "distant varmints" ... I've been hearing good things about the Savage AccuTrigger but not their stocks ... good stock can run several hundred, several triggers such as the Timminy are well under $100 - as with the above poster, just my ramblings ...
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Chance favors the prepared mind [8D]
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A few long shots are good for bragging, Id just assume get a 45yd broadside and looking at me coyotie, just want to know that if I put the crosshairs on his forehead he will still have 2 eyes, just nothing behind that [:)]
"We must all fear evil men, but there is another kind of fear we must fear most...and that is the indifference of good men"0 -
I do not yet own a rifle, but after speaking with lots of people, the .243 cartridge keeps coming up as a choice for accurate, long, flat shots.
This is the caliber I will start with. My goal is a tight group at 100 yds, iron sites.0 -
I second the 243.
just MHO
-Ralph
In the demonstable absence of evolutionary perfection, if some calamity is not to occur, we shall have to learn to live with ourselves as we are. Fast. -Tattersall0 -
The savage may be a good rifle but the new accu trigger sucks. And this is from experience. After about 300 rounds thru the 12bvss, the trigger and stock both leave lots to be desired. Their stock looks like a screwed up attempt at a laminated A-5 style stock. Too bulky for my tastes. I would highly suggest the VLS in 22-250. And if you look in the right places you can probably find a pre-wart 700 in excellent condition for good money. But, nothing wrong with the new ones either. Very good rifle for the money. I made the savage mistake. Just wasnt my cup of tea. Rifle shot accurately, barrel had no fouling issues. But it just aint a 700. Good rifles for what they are. But it doesnt take long to see what they aint. So buy the 700 now or wish you had later. And on another note, a good m70 winchester or tang safetied ruger 77 would also fit the bill nicely. Hunting season is over for the most part and gun shows are the place to look. Some really good bargains to be found. So be patient and you should have no trouble finding a nice varmint rig for a very reasonable price. The listings on the auction site should be picking up too.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Only some have film.0 -
i agree with the 243.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
I'd recommend a .220swift, .223WSM, 6mm Rem, .243WSM, .243win, or .22-250. I like the Ruger No.1 Varmint myself, but if you want a repeater I'd go with a custom built rifle on a Remington 700 or Winchester 70 Action. 0 -
Good advise from all above, but I would raise one question.
You state your shooting distances to be nominally 250 yds., so let's say 300 yds. for the sake of my question which is;
You've got a 308 and that round is very good out to 300+ yds and there is no question about the energy level ... so why do you want to buy another rifle to pot "yappers" with at not exceptionally long ranges?
Or are you kinda like me ... and it's really time to just buy another gun and the Coyote is a good excuse? [:D]
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Contender man: Was a time when I use to reach a mite further than
300+ meters with a .3080 -
The 243 would be good, but if you can afford it a 218 would be a good choice I think it has a rang of about 200 yard for rodents the size of groundhogs but is not so powerful its going to clean the rabbit for you but i'm not sure what the rang on a coyote would be but if you hit it in the head it should work
If it flies it dies.0 -
The 223 will do any thing you need doing at the ranges you have described with alot less recoil and is much cheaper to reload.I usually get 250-260 rounds out of one pound of powder with the 223.At 300yds and out the 22-250 is a much better choice for varmits. If you think you will ever hunt with the same gun you might consider going to a 243 winchester or 6mm remington.I load 55gr varmit bullets in a 243 to around 4000fps and it is hard on coyotes, but not as pleasant to shoot alot off of a bench for volume shooting as the smaller rounds.You can load 90gr to 105gr bullets and hunt deer and such too if you are inclined. The 6mm will push the heavier hunting weight bullets a little faster, but the 243 is just as good with the lighter bullets.Just something to consider if you are looking down the road. If you go with the 223, make sure the gun you buy has the proper barrel twist for the bullet weights you intend to shoot.
Good luck......[8D]0
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