G'day, how are we all? i am looking for a smallbore centrefire rifle, it would preferably be left handed and of a varmint type construction, i am stuck on what cartridge to use as well, i am tossing up a 204, 223 or 243, any advice would be muchly appreciated, thanks, Jackson
centrefire Rifles
- Thread starter byrnesy94
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I would think a Savage in left hand chambered for the 22-250 would fit the bill quite well.
BinhThuyUSN
Member
byrnesy, Check out CZ-USA as an option. They have several rifles in the calibers you are looking for. Link listed below
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/centerfire-micro/
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/centerfire-micro/
BrainOnSigs
Member
Not sure of your budget. Not sure of your prey.
That said, I am a huge fan of Cooper Rifles and .204 Ruger.
All the Twenties burn way less powder than a 22-250 (a full third in most loads), and the smaller Twenties use less powder than a .223 Rem. This attribute actually has two advantages. First, it makes shooting 20-Caliber cartridges more economical, but mostly it means less barrel heat. A typical varmint hunter may shoot several hundred rounds in one day, so barrel heat is an important issue. Less heat....longer barrel life.
An excellent article by my friend Ken Lunde: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek047.html
He convinced me to make the switch to .204 Ruger and a thousand+ prairie dogs later....I'm not going back.
Another excellent read on .20 cal: http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html
That said, I am a huge fan of Cooper Rifles and .204 Ruger.
All the Twenties burn way less powder than a 22-250 (a full third in most loads), and the smaller Twenties use less powder than a .223 Rem. This attribute actually has two advantages. First, it makes shooting 20-Caliber cartridges more economical, but mostly it means less barrel heat. A typical varmint hunter may shoot several hundred rounds in one day, so barrel heat is an important issue. Less heat....longer barrel life.
An excellent article by my friend Ken Lunde: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek047.html
He convinced me to make the switch to .204 Ruger and a thousand+ prairie dogs later....I'm not going back.
Another excellent read on .20 cal: http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html
i will be targeting kangaroo's and the like, the odd feral pig, and long range rabbiting, i can go to about $1100 australian dollars, which will get me a tikka, or a savage 10 fcp-k or something around that range,okay, so the .204 seems to be the most economical, the problem is, im also left handed, so a lefty bolt would be nice as well as a heavy barrel, suggestions?
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BrainOnSigs
Member
For 'roos and pigs you would be better served with .223 or the .243......with not really knowing the size of the 'roos and the pigs.
To clarify the .20 cal article.....if you factor in the cost of components.....204 Ruger will probably never be cheaper than .223.
Before switching to Coopers.....I had a Tikka T3 in .223 that shot 1/2" groups or better using Black Hills ammo (before I started to reload).
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Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Considering the targets, I'd go with the .243 and reload for it. I have found that the 85-grain Sierra HPBT is devastating on smaller deer (body weights no more than 160 pounds live weight; most deer hunters use 100-grain bullets) and on coyotes. I've used 55-grain bullets for prairie dogs to 300 yards.
I agree with Art, the .243 is gonna be hard to beat with bullet selection availible. You can go with 55 gr bullets to 4000 fps and 100 gr bullets to 3000 fps. Its great a great varmit to mediun size game round and I can't recall ever seeing a .243 that wouldn't shoot good. Nothing against the .22's they are great, but the .243 has them beat IMO.
BrainOnSigs
Member
The one huge bonus I really like about .204 Ruger...is being able to watch the hit thru the scope. I do love the acrobatics of prairie dogs and rabbits after a 4200 fps projectile whacks them.
hawkeye10
Member
I am left handed and have been shooting for 50 years. I have never had a left handed gun. To me a left handed gun would I think feel awkward. All I am saying is don't limit your self. Also I really like CZ's. DonBrainOnSigs
Member
Excellent rifle
Between those 3, and the animals you are in pursuit, handsdown the 243. It will do everything 'and how' those other 2 calibers can do. The reverse is not true. Very flat cartridge and softer recoil, I shot one without a recoil pad``not bad. Biggest gun I've shot is a 30-06 so I do have some comparisons.
Also if you ever want to step up a bit or tinker with the gun the 243 can be re-smithed to a 243Ackley Improved
. Please also consider a lot of benchrest is done with that bullet size, 6mm/243.If you ever tire of it and want to resell, a 243 again is more desired for reasons stated, more versatile.
I also agree with a Savage bolt in LH. You can meet high expectations on a moderate budget with a Savage!!
post up what you do when you do it!
BikerRN
member
G'Day.
I used a 22-250 on 'roos mate.
I would opt for the .243 and hunt some Boars as well if it were me. As for left handed, shoot a right handed rifle. I'm a lefty and I use a right hand bolt. That way my firing hand never has to leave the stock.
BikerRN
I used a 22-250 on 'roos mate.
I would opt for the .243 and hunt some Boars as well if it were me. As for left handed, shoot a right handed rifle. I'm a lefty and I use a right hand bolt. That way my firing hand never has to leave the stock.
BikerRN
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