Varmint/target caliber opinions, new vs classic

[sabbfan]

The 22-250 seems like it would be pretty versatile especially with the faster twist that’s been mentioned. Classic cartridge with a good history. Of course many have made good points on the others as well, especially 223. My target shooting shouldn’t be too big an issue since I spent most of my time with revolvers and 22’s although that might change once I start playing with rifles more! Fortunately my backyard borders a large cornfield my buddy owns so during the spring and fall I have plenty of room to stretch the legs of a rifle before and after the crops are out. I’ll now have some good insight when perusing the rifle racks, once there are some actual rifles to look at in the racks!

 

[cdb1]

I too think that for pure coyote rifle the .243 is ideal. Pound for pound a coyote is a very tough animal.

A .243 is what I use on coyotes but I’d still like a fast twist 22-250. I imagine it will kill coyotes just as well as a .243.

 

[rbernie]

Frequent internet reference to 14 or even 12 twist .22s only being suitable for 50 grain and lighter bullets would be news to Mike Walker. Original .222 factory load was 50 gr but usually shot at targets with 52-53 gr bullets. Factory .222 Magnum, .223, and .22-250 were 55 gr. My .22-250 Ruger was accurate with 60 gr JSP (but not the longer 60 gr JHP.)

True enough, but if you want more SD in a lower drag format, you’re gonna pretty much have to run something faster than 1:14” or even 1:12”. In my case, I wanted to run 75gr-80gr and 1:8” seems to be working well for that, while still shooting 55gr factory loads quite well.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

.22-250 from varmints to deer to hogs, it gets the job done and just fun to shoot.

 

[Barnfixer]

Old school here. I’m a fan of the .243, good in all conditions and on many types of game. And if I run low on ammo in normal times, it’s usually cheap and plentiful in many choices. I also like a 6.5 too.

 

[Anchorite]

Go very classic and becoming more and more obscure.

222.

This. Amen. (Thus endeth the Sermon)

 

[Anchorite]

^^ THIS!

I bought my first deuce last November, an old Springfield 840, and I absolutely love it. Bar-none, hands down one of the most accurate little rifle/cartridge combos I've ever used. Quiet, with zero recoil, and quite literally a laser beam as others have said. I started handloading because of the Triple Deuce. Best part is, it's such a cheap and easy cartridge to load; .224 bullets are fairly easy to find. I like 50 grainers myself, but you might try some lighter weight ones. The .222 doesn't like bullets much over 50grs; 55 is about the max since most are 1:14 rifled.

Obligatory rifle pic:

Only one thing, you didn't mention exactly what "varmints" you'd be after. Anything bigger than a pasture poodle, past about 250 yards, is pretty much out of the question. I mostly shoot crows with mine, and looking forward to groundhogs this spring. On our small 'yotes, it'd probably do just fine. Part of me also wants to load some 55's and try deer hunting with it this fall, but I can't quite talk myself into it.

Anyhow, good luck in your search for a varmint-ing rifle; the Triple Deuce is a classic and should serve you well should you decide to go that route.

Mac

These are great! I actually had a client who had an outstanding legal bill with me and he offered me an 840E in lieu of his balance. Who was I to say no!? That little gem is as accurate as my bench gun. Love it!

 

[earlthegoat2]

These are great! I actually had a client who had an outstanding legal bill with me and he offered me an 840E in lieu of his balance. Who was I to say no!? That little gem is as accurate as my bench gun. Love it!

Haha. You accept guns as payment too. When I was a PI, I also acquired a few guns in lieu of payoff.

 

[Anchorite]

A .243 is what I use on coyotes but I’d still like a fast twist 22-250. I imagine it will kill coyotes just as well as a .243.

The advent of lighter weight 6mm bullets has certainly tilted the playing field in favor of the 6mms. I have a Mini 14 action sitting on my bench and I’m thinking about a 6x45. I doubt I would ever have a need for a 22-250 after that build.

 

[Anchorite]

Haha. You accept guns as payment too. When I was a PI, I also acquired a few guns in lieu of payoff.

Yes, sir!

 

[Offfhand]

What is the top gun in the third group picture? Nice work, looks like a Jurris custom or a custom Dakota.

The rifle is a .225 Win. built on a Miller single shot action with stock, barrel and other fitting and finishing by the late Pete Grisel. Grisel was a Co-founder of Dakota arms and an artist with both metal and wood who created this and other beautiful rifles for me. Here are more details of the rifle and Miller action, the niter blued lever and scope mount are typical Grisel touches also the octagonal barrel . Classic engraving and gold rings on barrel were by another artist.

 

[marksman13]

The OP mentioned "Classic" in his descriptions and there is nothing more classic for hunting varmints than a single shot rifle. Here is a modest assortment of singles in some long-time favorite varmint calibers including ..218 Bee. .222 Rem, .22/250 Rem, .223 Rem. .220 Swift and .6mm Rem. I once had a Ruger No.1 in .204 Ruger caliber that was the most accurate No.1 I've ever owned but gave it away in a regrettable fit of generosity. And I'm still looking for a No.1 in .225 Win if I can find one with pretty wood like these old time No.1's.View attachment 987380 View attachment 987381 View attachment 987382 View attachment 987386

I can’t decide if I love you or hate you sometimes. Beautiful rifles.

 

[Nuclear]

If you pick a “barrel burner” cartridge, look for a rifle that is easy to replace the barrel, like a Savage bolt action. If you find a rifle that is hard to swap barrels, pick a cartridge that has a long barrel life.

 

[Nature Boy]

If you pick a “barrel burner” cartridge, look for a rifle that is easy to replace the barrel, like a Savage bolt action. If you find a rifle that is hard to swap barrels, pick a cartridge that has a long barrel life.

....or, pick a top gunsmith like Kelbly, LRI, PVA or SAC to build your rifle and they will document your receiver data and chamber a new shouldered barrel for you whenever you need one. Just unscrew the old and screw in the new. Don’t even need a headspace gage.

 

[Nuclear]

That’s just a more expensive version of an easy to replace barrel.

 

[Offfhand]

.or, pick a top gunsmith like Kelbly, LRI, PVA or SAC to build your rifle and they will document your receiver data and chamber a new shouldered barrel for you whenever you need one. Just unscrew the old and screw in the new. Don’t even need a headspace gage.

Mr. Nature Boy has it right about quickly replacing "burned out" barrels. As for "barrel burning" calibers, it's just the cost of good shooting as I figure a day in a well populated prairie dog patch is wasted if I haven't burned out at least one barrel. Which is why I carry a supply of barrels for changing barrels, or even calibers, in the field. The barrel vise simply plugs into the tow bar hitch and rifle is simply twisted off the barrel with fitted action wrench. In about 15 minutes a new barrel is in place and shooting resumed. This particular rifle is a .22/250 on a Kelby Stolle action with left hand bolt and left loading port with right ejection, making it quick and wicked in a dog town.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

The 6.5 ARC also looks promising. You can get it in an AR platform, don't know if anyone has a bolt gun for it yet.

 

[horsemen61]

....or, pick a top gunsmith like Kelbly, LRI, PVA or SAC to build your rifle and they will document your receiver data and chamber a new shouldered barrel for you whenever you need one. Just unscrew the old and screw in the new. Don’t even need a headspace gage.

^^ this

The 6.5 ARC also looks promising. You can get it in an AR platform, don't know if anyone has a bolt gun for it yet.

Are you referring to the 6mm arc? Never heard of a 6.5 arc (which is a Grendel btw)

 

[Oldschool shooter]

No, it is similar, but a new cartridge. Adopted by the US military. That iswhy I feel it may havesome long term potential. Shoots flatter and I helieve the article saidhas more energy at 800 yds than a .308.

 

[horsemen61]

No, it is similar, but a new cartridge. Adopted by the US military. That iswhy I feel it may havesome long term potential. Shoots flatter and I helieve the article saidhas more energy at 800 yds than a .308.

Again I’ve never Heard of the 6.5 ARC BECAUSE it is a 6.5 Grendel, I AM BUILDING A 6MM ARC that Hornady designed for a DOD group so I’d say yes military please show me evidence of this 6.5 ARC I’ll wait

 

[Oldschool shooter]

My apologies, I misspoke. It is the 6mm ARC. In the AR platform it ises the same bolt and magazines as the 6.5 Grendel. Outperforms the Grendel past 500 yards. Also retains more 3nergy than 308 out to 800 yards. Sorry for the mixup.

 

[horsemen61]

My apologies, I misspoke. It is the 6mm ARC. In the AR platform it ises the same bolt and magazines as the 6.5 Grendel. Outperforms the Grendel past 500 yards. Also retains more 3nergy than 308 out to 800 yards. Sorry for the mixup.

No worries and yes I think it will be an excellent coyote rig!

 

[TEXASJD]

I think I have or sill have most of the calibers talked about here (.222 .223 17rem 204 6br 22-250 22-250AI 220 swift 250AI 6mmAI .243 22br) and some I'm probably forgetting at the moment and some other wildcats (mostly custom guns). If I had to pick one for light varmint and target shooting fun to shoot no recoil not load and that will shoot from the factory with factory ammo it would be a .222 I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE THAT WILL NOT SHOOT.

 

[sabbfan]

I think I have or sill have most of the calibers talked about here (.222 .223 17rem 204 6br 22-250 22-250AI 220 swift 250AI 6mmAI .243 22br) and some I'm probably forgetting at the moment and some other wildcats (mostly custom guns). If I had to pick one for light varmint and target shooting fun to shoot no recoil not load and that will shoot from the factory with factory ammo it would be a .222 I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE THAT WILL NOT SHOOT.

I just noticed today on Savage’s website they still chamber a couple of their rifles in 222.

 

[Weflyfast]

....I love reading these posts....so many different opinions and options....

.......what did you pick?