Recommendation for Varmit Caliber/Scope

mdgunguy

May 05, 2003 05:56

I'm looking at getting a Remington 700 VSSF for my foray into practicing longer range (200-400 yds) target shooting. I'll likely want to use the same gun for some groundhog shooting.

I've kinda narrowed the choices to .223, .22-250 and .220 Swift. Ballistics seem to be somewhat similar, at present sorta leaning towards the .22-250. I'm eager for feedback from others on the forum.

Also interested in some good scope recommendations.

Thanks!

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  deadeye46

  May 05, 2003 06:49

  I'm kind of partial to the "250" myself.I have a 6-18 Leupold on mine and it does a fine job.That's probably in the middle of the budget class.For long range shooting the 3-9 just isn't enough scope for me.Just my 2 cents,Bob.

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  Nighthawk

  May 05, 2003 06:50

  I have a Ruger Model 77 22-250 with a nikon scope.The gun is capable of shooting much further than I can confidently.The .22 Hornet is a good gun for small varmits,Ive took one coyote while crow hunting,and it did make a good clean kill.Good Luck!
  
  
  Best!!
  
  Rugster
  
  
  Toujours Pret

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  JustC

  May 05, 2003 08:31

  the 22-250 is probably your best choice. I lean on the 220 swift, but I also handload, which can greatly reduce the cost of shooting the swift. The manufacturers think the cases are made of gold judging by the cost of a box of factory loads. The swift will outperform, and group up slightly better in the wind, due to higher velocity,...but for a beggining rifle, that you will probably be using factory ammo in, the 22-250 is a great choice.
  
  I will suggest the Burris Signature series scopes in the 6-24x44 variety, in Zee Rings and a high quality weaver style base. That set-up along with a trigger adjustment to around 2lbs will give you one rifle you won't soon get rid of, and will be able to hold your own against many custom guns you will encounter.
  
  why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
  Got Balistics?

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  woodyd70

  May 05, 2003 08:40

  I hate to sound like I'm on the "bandwagon", but I have to agree with the others on this one. The 250 is hands down the better option. The 223 ammo is a bit cheaper, but performs a tad inferior. The 220 swift is great, but it'll wear the throat out faster than the other two calibers. As far as scope goes, that's your most important decision. I'd suggest no less than leupold, but swarovski or zeiss if you can swing it.
  
  woodyd

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  Clair

  May 05, 2003 10:00

  No doubt, 22-250
  I currently have a 4-12 Leupold on mine, but thats not quite enough. Was hog hunting Saturday and had a 350yd shot, sure could have used a little more power to see him in the clover.

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  bambihunter

  May 05, 2003 10:13

  Welcome to the forum mdgunguy...
  
  You've chosen a very nice rifle there. I had one for 10 years or so in .220 swift that'd shoot 3/8" 100 yard groups.
  Now for your cartridge choices, the .223 will be the cheapest one to shoot, but I wouldn't shoot the surplus ammo through it, so that makes it a less of a value. The .22-250 is a great balance of cost per shot to long range accuracy and power in a varmit rifle. The .220 swift is the flattest shooting, hardest hitting out of the bunch. If you reload, supposedly the .220 isn't any more expensive than the .22-250 and can be reduced down to the .22-250 levels, but the .22-250 can't quite reach the .220 swift levels (almost, but not quite).
  I had a Leupold Vari-X III on mine, I had the 50mm objective, but next time I'd put a 40mm on there instead. I can't remember which power it was. I wan't to say 6-16 or 8-20, I just can't recall.
  I had to sell my .220 Swift VSSF last fall to pay for medical bills. [:(]
  
  In life, two things are guaranteed: You were born, and you will die.
  What happens in between is up to you.

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  ohioghog

  May 05, 2003 18:25

  here is another 22-250 to add to your tally. i also own a burris signature series scope which i would highly recommend. btw, there is a noticeable difference in ballistics in regards to the .223 vrs 220 swift.
  
  how about a 6mm rem????

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  bolthandle

  May 05, 2003 18:56

  ohiohod: boy howdy! I wish that remington would put the VSSF in 6mm.[:p] I would have one tomorrow. But seeing as they dont[:(], I pick the 22-250 as the next best thing, with a Leupold 6.5x20 duplex on top[:)]
  
  Bolt
  
  PEACE THROUGH SUPERIOR FIRE POWER

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  martzkj@msn.com

  May 05, 2003 19:20

  I have two Ruger VT one in 22-250 and one in 243. I like my 243 for the longer shots. The gun seems to group better for me. So may I throw one more cal. in the mix.

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  Boomerang

  May 05, 2003 21:06

  I am going against the grain on this one. First off, what kind of varmint hunting are you doing? The best cartridge for you will depend on your answer to that. I am going to push for the .223. Why?
  
  There are two things to take into consideration with the .223 Rem in the VSSF that the other two cartridges can't do.
  
  1. Is the ability use heavier bullets (64 grain max.). This is due to a faster twist rate for the .223 Rem. The .223 Rem has a 1/12 twist; the 22-250 Rem and 220 Swift have 1/14 twists
  
  2. A greater selection of commercial loadings.
  
  In my experience, the .223 Rem is fine for most varmint applications under 325 yards. Plus with the heavier bullets, and at reasonable distances, you can take larger game (deer). You can probably do this with the others, but I have no experience with them.
  
  Boomer
  
  "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member

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