Varmint Velocities with a Bang

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doubleh said:
I started with a Ruger #1 in 22-250. I have never had any of the accuracy problems associated with the #1. It does one half or less minute of angle at 100 yard with 40 and 45 gr. bullets and a tiny bit larger with 50 gr. bullets in my handloads. I still have it but shoot it very little anymore. A scarcity of prariedogs is the reason. I also built another 22-250 on a (blush) Axis action for a coyote rifle. It does very well with my 55 and 60 gr. handloads running in the half to slightly larger minute-of angle groups at 100 yards. Despite building a completely new stock and installing a Rifle Basix trigger and it's good accuracy I can't love it a whole lot.

I finally got into the .223 game in the early 2000's with a G2 Contender with a 23" bull barrel. This little rifle is super accurate with my 40 gr. handloads but it suffers from the same prairiedog problem. Not long after S&W came out with the M&P AR I got into the AR OR game for a coyote rifle. I've modded it with a low profile gas block, free float hand guard, and LaRue two stage trigger. It's no Contender in the accuracy department but I can do three fourths to one minute accuracy at 100 yards with 55 and 60 gr. bullets in my handloads. Both the the 22-250 and 223 coyote getters are suffering for action due to smart coyotes and a geezer that can't hike long distances anymore to find dumber coyotes.
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Where can I find the dogs in NM? I moved to Alamogordo a bit over a year ago. I used to hunt the Dakotas when I lived in Minnesota.
 
My 1992 Savage Model 10 Varmint loves 55 Nosler BT's over 46.5 Grains of H-414 with standard large rifle primers. I used the RCBS precision mic set and over the years had to move the bullets out farther and farther for accuracy and then I thought I was done as it fell off and I couldn't go out any farther. then I shot a factory Hornady load out and it was back to good. So then I went back to a shallow seating spot and the old girl came back to me! I still have a few hundred rounds loaded for her that won't fit in my other rifles as they were loaded to her chamber. We hope to find a dog field to help retire this fine rifle.
 
I voted .223 mainly because it's what I use and because the barrels will last alot longer compared to .22-250. Ammo is also significantly cheaper so I can afford to shoot alot more. That being said though, if money were no object (including cost of ammo and replacement barrels) the .22-250 would probably be my choice for the flat trajectory and oomph compared to the .223.
 
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dickydalton said:
Where can I find the dogs in NM? I moved to Alamogordo a bit over a year ago. I used to hunt the Dakotas when I lived in Minnesota.
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I don't really know. I said they were scare in my area which is the southeast corner of the state. Sierra Blanca Outfitters has hunts available so you might contact them. I don't know why they chose that name as they are located in Holman which is north of Mora and a fair distance from Sierra Blanca peak and the Sacramento mountains. I though it would be located in Ruidoso with that name. .
 
Mine is a 22-250 because that is what I have. Had a .223 presented itself I would have been very happy with that. I would not have chosen the Ruger because it is odd. No other reason.
They all work fine.

Greg
 
BigBL87 said:
I voted .223 mainly because it's what I use and because the barrels will last alot longer compared to .22-250. Ammo is also significantly cheaper so I can afford to shoot alot more. That being said though, if money were no object (including cost of ammo and replacement barrels) the .22-250 would probably be my choice for the flat trajectory and oomph compared to the .223.
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The only difference in ammunition cost is an additional 20 grains of powder in the 22-250 if you reload. About 8 cents a round.
 
This switch-barrel varmint rig offers almost the best of two worlds. 26" SS barrels for both .20 Ruger and .22/250 Rem were made and fitted by Shilen to a Stolle left-bolt, left port, right ejection benchrest action. The laminated hardwood stock was made By Fred Winig and is right hand configuration because I shoot right handed but prefer left hand bolt operation for my varmint rifles. There two bolts to accommodate the different case sizes. The close threaded barrels fit the square faced receiver so nearly "dead-nutz" that pre-determined minor scope settings return POI between barrel swaps. A couple more barrels are in the works for .17 Rem and .224 CHeetah.. DSC_0377.JPG DSC_0374.JPG DSC_0380.JPG
 
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dickydalton said:
The only difference in ammunition cost is an additional 20 grains of powder in the 22-250 if you reload. About 8 cents a round.
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True. But, most firearm owners don't reload though the number that DO is probably proportionately higher here on THR. I'd like to get into it but haven't really been in a situation to make the initial investment.
 
I go with what I’ve got which is a Mini 14 (223) I’ve had for some years. My neighbors son gave my a hand full of red tipped varmint loads that he had loaded. I know nothing about the load or bullet. I had occasion to shoot a groundhog with one a couple of years ago. Absolutely brutal. Saying to myself “I gotta have more of these” I ordered a box of American Eagle green tipping varmint loads from Academy. In the last few years I’ve shot many groundhogs and armadillos with them, very accurate out to 100 yards and deadly DSC02231-zps504f486f.jpg
 
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I started off with 223 many years ago and the 40 grain Vmax does pretty well.

Brass has cost me nothing because it is so plentiful that other shooters give me their empties, it doesn't use a lot of powder, easy to load, long barrel life, and good accuracy are all reasons I like it.

A few years ago I picked up a fast twist 223AI for shooting the 75 Amax, but it will shoot the 53 Vmax into a ragged hole. With the extra 150FPS and the higher BC, I'm looking forward to taking it varmint hunting this summer.
 
Offfhand said:
This switch-barrel varmint rig offers almost the best of two worlds. 26" SS barrels for both .20 Ruger and .22/250 Rem were made and fitted by Shilen to a Stolle left-bolt, left port, right ejection benchrest action. The laminated hardwood stock was made By Fred Winig and is right hand configuration because I shoot right handed but prefer left hand bolt operation for my varmint rifles. There two bolts to accommodate the different case sizes. The close threaded barrels fit the square faced receiver so nearly "dead-nutz" that pre-determined minor scope settings return POI between barrel swaps. A couple more barrels are in the works for .17 Rem and .224 CHeetah..View attachment 888502 View attachment 888503 View attachment 888504
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Thats very very kewl. I agree that working the bolt while maintaining the firing grip is a much better way to do a bolt gun IF you are firing off of a rest of any sort. Not breaking the shoulder contact is one less variable to practical accuracy. Besides it feels correct. Beautiful work !
 
Loaded up some .223's with 36gr Varmint Grenades and TAC that should be able to get close to a 4,000fps Muzzle Velocity.
We'll put them to the test on the Chrono.
next time out to the Range.
 
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Out to 200-250yrds there's nothing better than a 221 imo. Also have 222 40x and 17rem contender for mid range, just got an AR in 223 haven't got a chance to try it on live targets. I use a 243 ai to reach out for the long ones. Being in Cali I cant go dogging very often, but when I do I bring plenty of choices. As far a velocity goes hard to beat a 17 rem.
 
To me if you already have a 223 Semi Auto Rifle, it makes sense to have a 223 Bolt Action Rifle for Reloading a variety of Varmint Rounds. for example :

- .223 Remington -
- 30gr. - Varmint Grenade
- 30gr. + TAC
- 4,000 fps. + -
 
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There's a lot of good reload data for the .223 Remington 30-40 gr bullets that reach 4,000fps + Muzzle Velocity
 
Just about finished loading these little Screamer's :

.223 Rem.
30gr. V.G.
31gr. TAC
4,000fps. +

The powder goes all the way up to the base of the bullet seat, it's gonna be interesting.
 
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