4 Varmint Rifles’ Accuracy at 300 Yards

[Geno]

This thread is in response to the multitude of rifle and varmint threads in which folks ask the following:

1) which rifle make…
2) which rifle model…
3) which caliber…
4) which projectile…
5) which etc, etc…

It also is in response to the tendency that most of us have, that being to suggest folks buy what we have. It’s simple enough, really, we buy rifles that we trust. We keep those rifles that are accurate enough. Because we do or don’t we trust them, it becomes the basis of our opinion.

The following picture shows the tests for handloads for 4 of my varmint rifles set-up as deployed. I didn’t try to determine a statistically significant difference between the four rifles’ accuracy, because the local varmint community already had a generated formula before I arrived to the farm: 1POA+1POI=M-F/DOA. Given their calculations of probable impact and survivability, they determined it frugal to hunker-down for the day. It didn’t matter which rifle I had on the bench, the varmints stayed clear to well over 500 yards.

Geno

View attachment 498873

View attachment 498874

Here are the details:

Top Left: 3-shot group @ 300 yards
Winchester M70 Stealth .308 Win
Bell & Carlson stock w/ alum bedding block
Factory trigger at 3.5 pounds
Ken Farrell 0 MOA picatinny rail
Nightforce 30 MM rings
Nightforce 3.5-15X56 Zero Stop scope
Winchester brass
Varget powder 47 Gr.
Speer 168 HP match
Winchester primer

Bottom Left: 3-shot group @ 300 yards
Remington M700 Police .308 Win
Bell & Carlson Adjust Tactical stock w/ alum bedding block
Timney Tactical trigger at 4 ounce
Ken Farrell 20 MOA G-Force picatinny rail
Leupold 30 MM rings
Nightforce 12-42X56 scope
Winchester brass
Varget powder 47 Gr.
Speer 168 HP match
Winchester primer

Bottom right: 3-shot group @ 300 yards
Remington M700 Varmint .223 Rem
HS Precision stock w/ Alum bedding block
Timney trigger at 1.5 pounds
Ken Farrell 20 MOA G-Force picatinny rail
Leupold 30 MM rings
Nightforce 5.5-22X56
Lapua brass
Varget powder 27 Gr.
Sierra 55 Gr Blitzking
Winchester primer

Top right: 3-shot group @ 300 yards
Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special .223 Rem
Factory stock
Timney trigger at 1.5 pounds
Ken Farrell 20 MOA picatinny rail
Leupold 30 MM rings
SWFA 10X scope
Lapua brass
Varget powder 27 Gr.
Sierra 55 Gr Blitzking
Winchester primer

For fun: 10-shot group @ 101 yards
Savage Mark II
Factory stock
Factory trigger
Leaupold 4X scope
Eley Sport Ammo 40 Gr.

 

[Mags]

Very nice, thanks for the info Geno.

 

[NCsmitty]

Great post Geno, and nice shooting, the varmints probably know your car.




NCsmitty

 

[Geno]

Thanks fellas. Next weekend I'll try try the .308 Wins at 300 yards with Lapua brass and Lapua 155 grain projectiles. Then, I'll move the target to 500+ yards. I have to get the new landowner's permission before I set my target on his property. I'll also take my Kimber M84 Light Police Tactical in .308 Win out and test some handloads. That is my tack-driver rifle.

I was really impressed with the SWFA scope. It costs 1/5th to 1/4th what my Nightforces cost, and frankly, I don't see a difference for shooting center-of-woodchuck. That 12-42 Nightforce makes the shots up-close and personal even at 300 yards. Dang! The 3.5-15 is ultra clear, even with a hot barrel in 81 degree temps, but the nicest split seemed to be the 5.5-22 for shots, and occasional up-close zooms.

Geno

 

[cuffkey53]

Really awsome

Geno
great shooting at 300 yards I really enjoy this forum and its members.
And their desire to stand by the second amendment and our right to bear arms cuffkey53

 

[Geno]

Hey cuffkey53! Great to see you around, again, wecome to THR! Hope you're having fun with that M700 Tactical. Post some targets when you get free time.

I should clarify, I was shooting off of a bench, and sand bagged-up. Too, I should clarify the reason for the .22LR. I have found that woodchucks aren't real bright, and they're curious as heck. If you see one run to its hole, get a steel gong within about 50 yards or so of its hole, and start popping it with a .22LR. Many times, they will pop up to see what the noise is.

That's when it's time to shoot.

Geno

 

[ifit]

awesome shooting, and thanks for sharin. makes me wanna go to the range and do a comparo with my rifles

 

[Geno]

Thanks ifit.

Hopefully it catches on and more fellas do the comparison test. I don't think there's a scratch of difference between the Kimber M84s, the Remington M700s, the Winchester M70s, the Vanguard|Howa other than cost (listed alphabetically). The Kimber is equally accurate with factory loaded ammo. It's going to be interesting to see what form-fired Blackhills brass, handloaded will do in it.

But, I'll be the first to admit, I don't get 3 times the performance difference between the $550.00 Remington M700 Varmint and the $1,450.00 Kimber M84 LPT. I think a lot of it is pure name. Same applies to a $299.00 SWFA scope versus a $1,650.00 Nightforce. At least for day-time varminting within 300 yards distance, I don't see a difference.

I suspect that there are other rifles, such as Savage that will equal these rifles at a similar price. I have said many times, we are really spoiled in the USA with an abundance of fine-quality firearms, from many manufacturers.

Geno

 

[JoeMal]

Geno

Thanks again for taking the time to make this comparison. I'm intrigued by your comments regarding pricing; your $500 Remington can hang with a rifle three times that expensive. The same for the scopes.

As you know, I'm looking for a long range varmint/target rifle. I've got my mind pretty well made up on the gun, but the scope is what I've been having problems trying to nail down. Since money is a factor, I can't simply go buy a $1500 NF and hit the range. I've really been trying to find that area where price meets performance. But seeing you shoot just as well with a 10x 'cheapie' compared to the expensive NF gives me some hope.

 

[taliv]

nice shooting Geno

looks like you're starting your own 'pepsi challenge'

how wide is that plate?

 

[Geno]

Thanks, fellas!

JoeMal:
For me, it's all about intent of application. Center-of-woodchuck at 300 yards is a whole lot different than trying for minimum group sizes at a 600 yard competition. I bought the NF scopes for when I finally build my abilities to make 1,000 yards shots in informal competitions with family and friends. The other benefit of the SFWA scope is repeatability of the turret adjustments. I saw they have now created a fixed 6X as well.

taliv:
I have always competed against myself...can't ever win, and can't ever lose. I'm always in my element when I'm out at the farm. The steel gong is 15" square. The weird thing is, the .223 Rem seems to make a louder sound on impact than the .308 Win. It must be because of the added velocity.

I went to Bass Pro and purchased one of the portable shooting benches. It's pretty impressive how sturdy they can make these portable benches and keep them under 40ish pounds. Heck, it even has the built-in seat. The best part is, if I want to shoot at 30 yards, 171 yards, 300 yards or whatever distance, whatever location, all I have to do is pull out my laser ranger, and pick up my bench.

It was a real fun 3.5 hours of shooting.

Geno

 

[viking499]

Been thinking of putting out some "various range" plates on my farm, so, Got a few questions

Do you have a larger pic of your stand holding the metal plate? Is the stand home made or bought? Any ricochet issues? How thick is the plate? Special type of steel?

 

[Geno]

viking499:

There are dozens of companies that manufacture steel gongs. I went with this company: http://metaltargets.com/ The stand is made by the company. I went with the Tall Boy stand with a base. They also have a heavy duty version.

They have more detailed information listed on their site than I could ever post. They were very prompt in shipping. Forgot to answer:

Any ricochet issues? No, not a one, and I fired about 200 rounds of 9mm Luger from my Glock 19C at 25 yards.

How thick is the plate? I believe that it is 3/8, but not positive.

Special type of steel? I understand it to be 500 brindle amour plate. Here are the details: http://metaltargets.com/AboutOurTargets/TargetRatings.htm

Geno

 

[viking499]

Thanks for the info Geno

 

[Sky]

You might check Kalinka..It's a Russian scope sight...some of their prices are 1/3 the price of other web sights I have seen for comparable scopes. If they are selling a lighted reticle scope look at battery life! Usually only 50 hours....Got and email back from them saying with non-cheap batteries the life span increases 40 to 50%. Pain they have no contact phone or one on one contact except by Internet.

 

[CraigC]

Ooops, wrong thread!

 

[Rudy2281]

Msg in wrong thread-deleted

 

[essayons21]

That's some excellent shooting, and some nice rifles.

 

[Geno]

Thank-you much. I have a great time each day I go to the farm.

Geno