Lightweight sporters in varmint calibers?

[peacemaker45]

As I was perusing the rifle racks at my LGS, today, I noticed a surprising number of Ruger M77s with skinny little barrels, and light- ish wooden stocks. Much like one would expect from a big game rifle, except these were all in .223, .22-250, and .204 Ruger. Is this just Ruger being odd, or is there really a market for these? I generally think of varmint rifles as heavy barrelled, composite, and with giant scopes and usually bipods.

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[dubbleA]

Lightweight "walking varminters" have their place. A lot of makers have models with sporter barrels chambered in the small speedier rounds. Depending on your quarry a heavy long barreled rifle isn't needed. Here's are a couple of mine. A Rem 40X in 22-250 and a Rem 700 LVSF in 223. The later is a "goto" quick handling coyote rifle.



Just days ago I grabbed this little CZ527 in 221 Rem Fireball for a pesky crow.

 

[holdencm9]

That is a big!*@&#$ bird

 

[firesky101]

I sometimes have to go quite a ways for coyote, and well the AR with the full .920 bull on it does not go on those hikes. Just got an American in .22-250 so we shall see how it does.

 

[bhk]

My favorite coyote/bobcat rifle is this rather lightweight Sako 75 Hunter in .223. I often have to carry the rifle quite a ways from the truck to set up my calling stand. With Hornaday 55 grain V-Max cartridges, this rifle regularly shoots 3/4 inch five-shot groups at 100 yards.

 

[Art Eatman]

My 77 Mk II in .223 was called by Ruger "Light Sporter". I guess it's about eight pounds total, with 3x9 scope, sling and ammo.

It has reliably been around half-MOA for years. Great for prairie dogs to 300 yards.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

buddy has a 22250 model 7 rem. preditor. Its a tack driver.

 

[jstein650]

My Ruger M77 MkII in .223 (light sporter SS barrel) will often group 1/2" or less at 100 yds. The last time I had it out, the barrel was too hot to touch comfortably after twenty something rounds fired in pretty short order. There was no degradation of accuracy even that hot. I use a tip up pressure point near the end of the stock, and it really stays on target. YMMV.