New 22-250 target/varmint rifle?

[something vague]

I am in the market for a new rifle and cannot seem to decide on one that I want. My budget is in the $600-$800 range so my choices seem to be a tad limited as I need to budget outside of that for a scope. I recently have been interested in the Savage BVSS but have no local shop with them in stock for me to feel out. My question I guess is what are everyone's experiences with their varmint rifles chambered for the 22-250? I know this is a tough question to answer specifically as different people's opinions vary greatly. This is just to get some suggestions flowing around. While I'm at it, what kind and brand of scope is a decent deal for 100yard to 200yard shooting. I guess I don't totally understand all the differences in magnification. I might have to research this part a bit more as I don't want to end up with a big chunky scope that is way more than I need or want.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, a lot depends on where and how you hunt varmints.
And how big the varmints are.

In my case, 400 yard coyotes are a long shot most of the time. I do fine with a 3-9 variable, and leave it set on 3x or 4X about 95% of the time.

Walking and calling are my favorite ways to hunt, so a 26" heavy barrel 12 pound rifle would be a huge mistake.

Right at the present time, a 6 1/2 pound CZ-527 in .223 is my most always go to varmint gun.

It shoots under MOA all day long, and for 100 - 200 yard coyotes is plenty of gun.

Matter of fact, for 100 - 200 yard shooting, a 22-250 is way more then enough gun for about anything varmint related.

rc

 

[benzy2]

What are you using the rifle/round for when you say target/varmint rifle? I am a bit biased against the .22-250 for a lot of users since the extra speed of that round is often of little value. As a paper puncher there isn't really a need to go 250 over a .223, especially with the faster twist rates in .223 that let you shoot longer bullets for longer range shooting. In a pure varmint rifle again there are situations where the .22-250 shines but for what some of us get to shoot at it will never be any different than a .223. The main point is to really assess what you plan on doing with it and at what ranges. That will make a suggestion much easier.

As for a scope, that is one of those things where you get what you pay for. Some people will be satisfied with an inexpensive scope and others demand a lot. After using my fair share of inexpensive China made scopes I tried a Japan model and a Philippine made Nikon and have vowed never to go back to a Chinese scope again. There is a huge difference between them in every aspect. Anything made in Japan, Europe, the US, or the Philippines(though you have to double check on a given model a little more) should be quality. From there it really comes down to what scope/brand comes with the options you want in the price you want. They get fairly close in each price range so you won't be at a huge advantage or disadvantage by picking one over another. There are always exceptions where a bad scope comes out of good manufacturer and a good scope comes out of a bad manufacturer. There are a few bargains out there that are China made that seem to be of fairly good quality. I'm still a little hesitant though.

 

[fireman 9731]

You might want to look at the Remington 700 VTR, I got one this past summer in 22-250, the price on them has come down considerably around here(believe it or not), I have seen a few for around 500 bucks. That should leave you with enough money leftover to buy a decent entry level scope.

The VTR is the best of both worlds to me.... after all, VTR does stand for varmint/target rifle

 

[Karl Hungus]

For 100-200 yds I'd go with a .223. A .223 will shoot pretty flat out to those distances and beyond and will be a bit less finnicky and easier on the barrel. I'm not bad mouthing 22-250s - I've got a Tikka 595 that shoots 1/4 MOA (handloads), but I use it mostly for 300yds+.

As far as the scope, I wouldn't go overboard on magnification or super high quality glass - again, at < 200yds it's not going to be that crucial.

 

[springer7676]

You might want to check out the .204 ruger in a remington sps rifle and is under 500 dollars .Its an excellent overall rifle, light at about 6 lbs. not including the scope. Simmons Aetec scopes have excellent quality at under 250 dollars. This is the rifle and scope I have and the .204 with a 40 grain bullet will do in coyotes out to 200 yards easily. 300 yard shots if you get them are also no walk coyotes. The 32 grain bullet will work just as well and shoots a bit flatter.

 

[Strongbad]

I've been very pleased with my CZ-550 Varmint (Laminate) in 22-250. It's a good shooter and I love the single set trigger. If you're not a handloader, then a 223 is probably the way to go, otherwise I'm all for the 22-250. The only downside to the CZ is the twist. It has a 1:14. With the newer heavier 22 cal bullets available, you really need something quicker, atleast a 1:12, if not quicker like a 1:10 or 1:9 (or even faster if you can find it). The SPS Varmint wasn't available when I bought my CZ some years back, but considering the pricepoint that they're at, if I were shopping now they'd get a good long look.

 

[gunnerh]

I picked up a Remington 799 in 22-250 last week a Bass Pro Shop for under $375.00 out the door. BPS did seemed to run them on sale every once in a while. The choice of caliber was .223, 22-250 and 7.62X39. Had to get the scope mount from Midway, nobody local had one. I will take it the range in the morning.
I used a 22-250 Mark X Mauser with a middle light barrel for many years. A few years I traded it off for a .223 Mini-14 a nice gun but I got better results with the 22-250.

 

[benzy2]

Strongbad the 527 can be had in a 1:9 twist. You just have to find the right one. It seems like the current laminate varmints are coming with a 1:9 twist. I know mine is.

 

[husker]

22-250 is probably the most used dog killer around. at least before the black gun craze hit the markets. it has the thumpen power that my mini 14-ar15 and mohawk 600 lack just a bit. i choose the 223 or 5.56 because iv been shooting that round since i was old enough to shoot my dads mohawk. say around 1978. but iv seen what my friends 22-250 can do to a yoty past 300 350 yrds. it is a great round in my opinion

 

[Kentucky Windage]

22-250 gets my vote. While mine is in a predator-hunting configuration (Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter with matching brush-pattern Leupold VX-L 50 mm scope) it's a tack driver and works just fine on varmints, thank you very much.

 

[JDGray]

Can't go wrong with a Savage! I've bought three, in the last year, wonderfull triggers, and all tackdrivers. I'm sold on em

 

[something vague]

Thanks for the replies. As for range, I meant to say that I wanted to shoot 200-300yds with great accuracy. I would use this rifle the most, with my handloads, on target shooting as I'm absolutely in love with playing with bullets and seeing what they can do in any caliber. But this gun will be used on occasion to shoot coyotes that have become way over populated here in Maine. In these woods though I will probably only need to shoot 200yds max but want to be able to target shoot accurately at further distances. I'm fairly set on the idea of the 22-250 as this round looks very appealing and I was given a bunch of reloading supplies for it.

I should probably be thinking about a much lighter rifle though for my coyote hunts. I will have to check out some of the CZ's suggested, have not seen much on these yet. My local gun shop is pretty limited on options. Thanks again!

 

[hinton03]

I have a heavy barreled Rem 22-250 that almost never leaves my house; maybe it would be different if I had lived out west. I spent about 3 weeks working up loads for it and once that was done in the closet it went.

When I was in Kansas I found that it was to heavy to be practical when moving and calling so I went with a .223 in a carbine, with a 4X scope; it turned out to be perfect for coyotes as most shots are within 250 yards. Even when hunting coyotes in Arizona I couldn't bring myself to drag around a heavy varmint rig and used a Ruger #1 in 25.06.

Anyway, I have a heavy barreled 22-250 and think every serious rifleman should have some kind of heavy barreled rig, even if it is just to say he does, but unless you are shooting competitive target or setting up on a dog town out west I have found that they are not very practical. Then again, my closet if full of guns that are not practical......that's part of the fun.

 

[jjohnson]

Savage Bolt Guns

+1 on Savage - very likely the best value of "out of the box" accuracy for your dollar. The Remington 700 variants are great, and I have both, as well as Howa (who's made bolt actions under other logos like Weatherby to S&W over the years).

The Savage is pretty problem free, and now, add in the AccuTrigger, and it's very hard to beat, dollar for dollar. That AccuTrigger is the best aid to good shooting in a "stock" rifle in many years.

In .223, you get all that cheap ammo - surplus and commercial - as well as a plethora of bullet, scope, and other options. The .223 isn't really beaten out by 22-250 all that much until you get to the long range shooting. Even with that, the 22-250 is generally a 1 in 14 twist or so, so you can't be shooting your 60+ grain bullets in it very well. The .223 in my Savage is a 1 in 9, just fine for those longer and heavier spitzers. Range over 250 yards or so, the 22-250 really starts to look good, but you do get a louder "bang" and the ammo/handloading isn't as cheap as .223. I don't have a .204, but there, too, those bullets will cost you more than .224 diameter bullets for either .22-250 or .223.

Seriously, I'd pick the .223 - I have a Savage in .223 and a Rem 700VSS in .22-250, and it's the .223 that I shoot much more often.

 

[bpl]

Kentucky Windage,

Where did you find a Leupold scope with brush pattern camo? I was unable to find such a scope on their website. Are you sure its a Leupold? I would be interested in such a scope if it exists.

Thanks!

BPL

 

[TIMC]

Varmint rifle and $600-$800 budget? Hmmmm...

I would say a Savage, Remington or Tikka they all make a model in your budget range and are good shooters. I would hit the pawn shops to and look for a deal.

I have a Remington VLS I bought used in your price range but I spent more than your total budget on optics for it. I am a firm beliver in you can do more with a cheap rifle and good optics then you can with a good rifle and cheap optics.

 

[something vague]

TIMC,

Do you do any benchrest shooting with your VLS? If so, have you had any issues with the fact that the heavy gauge barrel on that gun is not floated. Any accuracy issues at all, especially after putting a few rounds down range?

 

[TIMC]

Tha barrel is free floated on my VLS.
The rifle is deadly accurate. My range only goes out to 200 yards but hitting the 4" swining targets at 200 yards is effortless round after round. I haven't done any grouping test at 200 yards; I figured since it shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards I didn't need to.

 

[something vague]

Did you free float the barrel yourself? Was it reasonably easy to do if so?

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

I know that you are looking for a new rifle, but if you can find one, I love the Remington 788's. I have them in .222, 22-250, .243, and .308.

 

[Strongbad]

Strongbad the 527 can be had in a 1:9 twist. You just have to find the right one. It seems like the current laminate varmints are coming with a 1:9 twist. I know mine is.

10-4. I wonder if they're changing the 550's to a quicker twist too. Hopefully they do. The older ones like mine were too dang slow @ 1:14

 

[TIMC]

Did you free float the barrel yourself? Was it reasonably easy to do if so?

It came that way. I assume it is factory I don't see any evidense of alteration but like I said I bought it used.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

bpl - You're right, Leupold doesn't sell the scope in cammo. I sent it off (along with the scope base and rings) to a company in New York called Tarjac. They're the company that puts the original Mossy Oak brush pattern cammo on the rifle stock and barel for Savage -- and for many other manufacturers. Last time I checked, they still had a small consumer operation under which they handle individual orders, although they and Savage were working with me on an editorial basis on that rig (I write for a number of publications). They did a great job. I'll attach a photo.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

22-250 is what you want for serious varmiting. A rem or sav will serve you fine.