.22-250 vs .308

[All4eyes]

I would like to suggest a .243. I have taken everything from deer to PDogs. It will cover more of the peramiters that you are seeking. I have an 06, .22-250, and a 243, and the 243 is a more "all around gun."
I have shot deer with .22-250 and it will get the job done, but the .243 will do it better.

 

[jkingrph]

I know he said 22-250 or .308, but remember the 30-06 is never wrong!

 

[cmidkiff]

...I know the .22-250 you can put 5 shots in a dime, but I've never handled a .308 before. Biggest rifle I've shot accuratly was a buddies .338 Lapua out to 400yrds and grouped 2 1/2". Will a .308 group 1/2" or so at 400yrds?

A .308 is a better 'all around' cartridge than a .22-250, no doubt about it. Many a varmint has met his (rather explosive) end from either, but a .22-250 isn't very suitable to larger game.

I'm quite sure a .22-250 can put 5 shots in a dime, depending on the range, wind, quality of the rifle, with match grade ammo that the rifle likes, and real good glass... oh, and a very good shooter

1/8th MOA is a very high goal... If this is really your expectation, you should be looking at a dedicated bench rest rifle, not an 'all around' hunting rifle.

1 MOA is a much more realistic goal, and is sufficient for nearly any hunting application. Many off the shelf rifles are capable of 1 MOA, at least it is reasonable to expect this kind of performance.

Long range varminting is a specialized field, and really calls for a specialized rifle. A 2" target, like a prairie dog, at 400 yards would call for a 1/2 MOA capable rifle... and some real good shooting! That Savage, in either caliber, bedded in a good stock, with very good glass might very well achieve 1/2 MOA, but then again, it might require a good deal more work to get there.

 

[VetteV12]

I've been looking into the .243 Win that you guy's have suggested. I never even looked at it, but to my suprize I kinda like it! The ballistics are great and price on ammo is just about the same, and I can still get the 12BVSS in that caliber too...and with this I can still take deer size game with the 100gr bullets (correct me if I'm wrong) and pop Pdogs out to around 400yrds no problem. All of this makes me very happy. THANK YOU GUYS!!!

Only question I have left is, will a 1:9.25 twist on that savage rip apart the lighter bullets?

So you're oryx hunting in White Sands?

Yes I ment oryx, sorry about that.

 

[Harley Quinn]

The 6mm or 243 is a fine caliber and should do the job for you ok, as long as you stayed with in the confines of what it can do on big game which is a placed shot at a distance that is not to far away for the capibility of the bullet (which is with most calibers).

The big thing I would believe is the ability to find the prarie dog at 400 yds (scope) and shoot it

The 6mm is no where close to the 308 as an all around caliber though (that you were asking about) IMHO

HQ

 

[Javelin]

Stick with the .308. The bullets cost the same if not cheaper than the 22-250.

 

[readr1]

Go with a T.C. Encore... then just acquire barrels. One pistol\rifle, many calibers.

 

[gunmn74]

25-06

I am from Colorado and now live in Kansas and the 22-250 is not
legal to hunt Deer or Elk in either state.
Everyone I know in Colorado that uses one rifle for Elk and Yotes
uses a 25-06. I personaly have killed many Yotes with a 22-250
and love the cartridge but would not want to use it on 1200 lb
Elk. I have also shot Yotes with a 7mm (my old Elk rifle) and they
were in no shape for skinning after that.

 

[kount_zer0]

Short action: .308, maybe 7mm-08 if you lean towards small game (and hand load)

Long (std) action: 30-06 hands down. Maybe 25-06 or .270 if you lean towards small game.

Get a Savage, or CZ. Best triggers out of box.

Spend LOTS on optics for pdogs at 500yds.

Large game: a 2-7 X 32 is ideal for woods and field. Good glass pays big dividends!

 

[CZ223]

The 243 is a compromise

That doesn't mean that it is a bad idea but it isn't particularly well suited to either chore. It is a bit too big for the small stuff and much too small for the big stuff. The 308 is probably the best way for you to go. By the way you mentioned both the Savage BVSS (awesome choice in my opinion) and the FVSS, either is a good choice and factory takeoff barrels are readily available at decent prices. If you were to shop around you might be able to find a gun and an extra barrel for the price of a new gun. The 308/22-250 combo is as perfect as it gets. You simply switch the barrels and sight in your rifle and you are ready to go. You might want to go over to www.savageshooter.com and do a little research.

 

[ccd]

If Gemsbok(Oryx) are a good possibility you are most likely stuck with the 308 Win or larger.

 

[xring3]

this is just a thought....sometime in the future Howa is supposed to come out with a 6.5x55 cal (swede mauser) rifle....I was planning on getting one to use on prairie dogs and coyotes at long range...I like the idea of using a long thin 140 grain bullet that would buck the Oklahoma winds...It could also be used on deer and some larger game.