Hard Decision...

[treezorz]

Hi everyone im new to the forums, and I just wanted to say hi and ask a couple of questions...Ive been lurking around the forums for a few days and I think this is the best hunting forum I have been to. Now on to my question.
Ok, im a varmint hunter and i have decided to buy my own gun..I have been hunting with my uncle for about 3 years, and he uses a Ruger .22 Mag and his Marlin .22. Now, I go hunting for groundhogs, rabbit, squirrell, fox, and coyotes, also have shot my fair share of pigeons that INFEST my barn. I have narrowed my choice's between two guns and they are .22 MAG ( not sure what brand i should go for) and the Remington Bolt Action Rifle 700 BDL 22-250, I need something thats accurate and powerfull, Im leading toward the 22-250 though. My second question is what type of bullets I should hunt with and what bullets I should use for target practice?. Well thats about it.... thanks ahead of time guys.

 

[dakotasin]

22-250 and a 22 rimfire are not in the same league, and can't really be compared.

for varminting purposes, the 22-250 does ok - i started my prairie dog shooting career w/ that exact gun and chambering - but is a little light for volume shooting. if you'll be on the move and only fire a few dozen shots at most while actually hunting, it is a fine choice. if you will be mostly stationary and firing a few hundred shots per hunting day, you'll want something heavier.

 

[epijunkie67]

You might want to tell us your intended targets and ranges. Shooting a rabbit at 50 yards is a lot different than shooting a coyote at 150 yards. Generally speaking the 22mag is a great fun gun to shoot all day long, at smaller game within say 100-125 yards. If you're wanting more range or more power than that you'll need the 22-250.

 

[hksw]

What maximum distances do you think you will be shooting?

 

[Wolfen]

Hard Decision

treezorz -

You may want to consider something in 260 Remington.
The 6.5mm is one very versatile and accurate bullet.

I'm building up a #1 Ruger with either a Douglas XX Air gage or Krieger Barrel in 260 Ackley Improved (AI) on a Wenig Laminated stock toped off with a 6.5-20x50mm Simmons Whitetail Classic scope.

Check out this article for more on the round.
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek046.html

 

[treezorz]

What maximum distances do you think you will be shooting?

I will be shooting from 0yds-500yds........This rifle will be used for groundhogs, fox, squirrels, crows, and rabbits....... thanks for all of the replys so far!

 

[treezorz]

anyone reading this!!!! lol

 

[hksw]

...-500yds........

Well, .22mag isn't going to reach that (with any accuracy).

 

[Schleprok62]

500 yards is a pretty fair poke for a 22-250. It loses a lot of energy out there... I gotta agree with Wolfen and go with a .260, .270, or .280...

22 mag is out of the practical question, based on your distance needs...

 

[treezorz]

well im not saying its going to be beyond 500 yards, its going to be 0-500yds, ive seen it done before infact i have a great website that shows a lot of videos shooting with the 222,22-250, and 22 hornet and here it is www.temporaryhappiness.com I think i already made my decision, im going with the 22-250, but im not sure what gun make im going to get and I also need to know a Good scope that reaches from 0-500 yards doesnt have to beyond 500 yards either. Another additional question I have is what does Rate of Twist mean for a gun? The remington i was considering has a 1-in-14 rate of twist.....thanks guys make sure you check out that site its very good.

 

[Schleprok62]

I wasn't meaning it wouldn't work, but I'd want something that packs a little more wallup out at that range... tht's just me...

 

[f4t9r]

For most of what you are saying 22-250 would be the way to go
You can pick up a 22 cheap for little things

 

[treezorz]

and now for the scope!! =)

 

[Wolfen]

Hard Decision

treezorz

Wait a minute. What about the twist?

If you go with a 14" twist, you are going to have to stay with lighter bullets an therefore, limit your range even more. My 22-250 has a 14" twist. Lighter bullets is OK for it andthat's why I'm building the 260 AI. It will reach way out there with a lot of punch left in it.

Now for the Scope -

Pick up a Simmons 4-12x50mm - Do ya just fine and won't gut your wallet. Ref $99.99 at Midway USA - http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=317071

 

[treezorz]

the smaller the number of the twist the more powerfull the bullets u can use? I seen a 30-06 with a 10"" twist.....

 

[bogie]

nope. The _longer_ the bullets you can use.

Now, let's back up. You want ONE rifle, and you're gonna use it between zero and 500 yards.

Granted, one can load a .22-250 down to light levels, but you've got to handload. And I'd give the .22-250, even with long high-BC bullets (fast twist) 400 yards at the most for any kind of precision.

I'd suggest that you look at a .243. You can also download it, and it'll also have the advantage of being a fine hunting caliber for game up to whitetail deer size.

As for scope: get a weaver variable, and you're probably not going to need much more than 15x at the top end.

I'd also, since you're a budding varminter, is look at www.benchrest.com, under "complete guns," for Bob White's Shooter's Corner (http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/). He sells used benchrest/varmint guns, usually well gone over by accuracy-minded gunsmiths. These will retain their value, and he won't do you wrong.

 

[treezorz]

Thanks for all your posts guys I have done alot of searching and reviewing and I have my heart set on a 22-250. Again thanks for all the posts.