Lennyjoe
Member
Let me start by saying that I blame this whole dilema on Len In Phoenix!!
Last Sunday I was up shooting with other THR folks in Buckeye and while I was there I got to do something I have never done before. Long range shooting. I tried Len In Phoenix's .223 Savage and loved it every time I heard the gong sing out at 400 yards. I even shot my Olympic arms PCR-1 and hit gongs out to 200 with open sights. Bout 1 in 3 shots at 200 yards wiht the Oly rifle.
Now Im hooked.
So, that leads us to this thread. What caliber do I choose for long range work.
I have a 30-06 for deer hunting and possibly Elk (with hotter 180gr loads). One day I want to go Pronghorn (antelope) hunting as well as coyote plucking. My buddy Don picked up a .223 for long range work and we reload together. I on the other hand want something a bit more than the .223
So I was thinking maybe 22-250 or on the heavier side a 25-06 just in case I do get an opportunity to hunt them grassland skiddish animals. I also read where the 25-06 might work on long distance deer shots. Not sure I would use it on Mule deer but it should work on the small Whitetail we have near the border.
Platform would be a bolt action rifle with or without the varmit barrel. I would prefer the heavier barrel if I go with the 22-250. I also reload so ammo wouldnt be a problem.
Where do I go from here. Only rifles I have owned in the past were in 30-30 and 06 and I havent done any long distance shooting prior to last Sunday.
Lets hear it from all the different angles. Varmit, small deer, antelope, coyote, long distances, reloading and platform choices.
Last Sunday I was up shooting with other THR folks in Buckeye and while I was there I got to do something I have never done before. Long range shooting. I tried Len In Phoenix's .223 Savage and loved it every time I heard the gong sing out at 400 yards. I even shot my Olympic arms PCR-1 and hit gongs out to 200 with open sights. Bout 1 in 3 shots at 200 yards wiht the Oly rifle.
Now Im hooked.
So, that leads us to this thread. What caliber do I choose for long range work.
I have a 30-06 for deer hunting and possibly Elk (with hotter 180gr loads). One day I want to go Pronghorn (antelope) hunting as well as coyote plucking. My buddy Don picked up a .223 for long range work and we reload together. I on the other hand want something a bit more than the .223
So I was thinking maybe 22-250 or on the heavier side a 25-06 just in case I do get an opportunity to hunt them grassland skiddish animals. I also read where the 25-06 might work on long distance deer shots. Not sure I would use it on Mule deer but it should work on the small Whitetail we have near the border.
Platform would be a bolt action rifle with or without the varmit barrel. I would prefer the heavier barrel if I go with the 22-250. I also reload so ammo wouldnt be a problem.
Where do I go from here. Only rifles I have owned in the past were in 30-30 and 06 and I havent done any long distance shooting prior to last Sunday.
Lets hear it from all the different angles. Varmit, small deer, antelope, coyote, long distances, reloading and platform choices.