After getting a nice offer from my employer and getting certified, I have decided to treat myself to a new rifle. I will be getting a Savage 12VFSS I re-load so ammo availability is not an issue. This rifle will be shot almost every weekend so barrel life will be an issue. This rifle will be used 80% from a 100-200 yard bench, 15% for varmints (Coons, Foxes, Coyotes), and 5% for Deer (small Texas whitetail). I plan to purchase this gun for my G/F to shoot at the range occasionally, so recoil is an issue. Barrel life is a huge issue, if not the biggest. Like I said I will shoot this every weekend, and I reload, so I go through ammo extremely fast.
First:
.204 Ruger:
I know there is limited availability of brass, and when you find it, it is more expensive than it should be, and from what I have seen the bullets are the same way. I'm not real sure what to think about this cartridge, I don't know if it's a gimmick or a solid performer. Obviously the speed of the round is enticing, and the explosive effects on varmints would be a plus. I could not use it on a deer ethically witch is a downside, but I do have a 30-06 that my G/F could use. The recoil factor I am assuming is almost non-existent. I would guess it is less than a .223 witch should be handled easily by my G/F. What concerns me is the barrel burning on these rifles. I can't imagine a .20 cal bullet moving at 4,000+ FPS with roughly the same charge as a .223 out of a smaller channel being anything but brutal on a barrel.
Second:
22-250
I admittedly don't know much about this round, other than it's basically a .223 on steroids. I hear it's quite an accurate round; however I read posts from standout members on this board saying that they could never work a load that shot the way they wanted. I suppose it would be possible with heavier loadings to go for a headshot on a Texas whitetail, however I probably would not. Again barrel life is a concern as with the .204 Ruger. I have never shot a .22-250, but would assume recoil is probably 10% more stout than a .223? This gun would work for both targets and varmints, but probably would not realistically suffice for deer.
Third:
.243
I am leaning towards a .243 only because of the versatility and the range of bullet weights I could shoot out of it. Varmints and deer would be covered, but I am not sure about accuracy. I don't see to many serious shooters on the firing line with .243's so it makes me wonder. I would guess barrel life would be much better with this cartridge, as it does keep the FPS low in comparison to the above listed rounds. What I don't know about is recoil? How hard does one kick?
I know it sounds like I want the perfect round, and I probably do. I guess I just need help finding one closest to my needs. If you have any other suggestions I would be more than happy to entertain them. I don't know anything about the 6.5x55, though it is not chambered by savage, let me know about it. I could change my mind and go CZ.
First:
.204 Ruger:
I know there is limited availability of brass, and when you find it, it is more expensive than it should be, and from what I have seen the bullets are the same way. I'm not real sure what to think about this cartridge, I don't know if it's a gimmick or a solid performer. Obviously the speed of the round is enticing, and the explosive effects on varmints would be a plus. I could not use it on a deer ethically witch is a downside, but I do have a 30-06 that my G/F could use. The recoil factor I am assuming is almost non-existent. I would guess it is less than a .223 witch should be handled easily by my G/F. What concerns me is the barrel burning on these rifles. I can't imagine a .20 cal bullet moving at 4,000+ FPS with roughly the same charge as a .223 out of a smaller channel being anything but brutal on a barrel.
Second:
22-250
I admittedly don't know much about this round, other than it's basically a .223 on steroids. I hear it's quite an accurate round; however I read posts from standout members on this board saying that they could never work a load that shot the way they wanted. I suppose it would be possible with heavier loadings to go for a headshot on a Texas whitetail, however I probably would not. Again barrel life is a concern as with the .204 Ruger. I have never shot a .22-250, but would assume recoil is probably 10% more stout than a .223? This gun would work for both targets and varmints, but probably would not realistically suffice for deer.
Third:
.243
I am leaning towards a .243 only because of the versatility and the range of bullet weights I could shoot out of it. Varmints and deer would be covered, but I am not sure about accuracy. I don't see to many serious shooters on the firing line with .243's so it makes me wonder. I would guess barrel life would be much better with this cartridge, as it does keep the FPS low in comparison to the above listed rounds. What I don't know about is recoil? How hard does one kick?
I know it sounds like I want the perfect round, and I probably do. I guess I just need help finding one closest to my needs. If you have any other suggestions I would be more than happy to entertain them. I don't know anything about the 6.5x55, though it is not chambered by savage, let me know about it. I could change my mind and go CZ.