Next rifle advice

[kjaniak]

Been bitten by the "need a new rifle" bug. Would like something that I can shoot alot without worry of burning a barrel out, something that has low recoil, and somewhat low report due to the urban sprawl . Looking at paper punching at 100 yards and sometimes groundhog work. Currently have a 10/22 for plinking and a Ruger 77/22 Hornet that gets 99% of my groundhog work now. Just looking for the next step up. Was thinking a .223 or .22-250 in a Ruger 77 Mark II in target grey or a Ruger #1 in stainless. Will get topped with Leupold glass similar to my Hornet of a TBD size.

Any suggestions on the above? Maybe another caliber? Thank you.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Low recoil, long barrel life - have you considered just buying a .17HMR to satisfy your craving? You could still paper punch (even at 100 yards) and not have anything close to one of the aforementioned earsplittinloudboomers.

 

[jefmad]

204 Ruger?

 

[Art Eatman]

I have a Ruger 77Mk II in .223 that doesn't care what you feed it; it's a tack driver. While I generally only shoot three-shot groups, they mostly run some 1/2 MOA.

I repaced the factory trigger with a Timney, which an easy installation.

Art

 

[kaferhaus]

.223 or the 22-250 are both excellent choices. Brass and practice ammo for the .223 are rediculously cheap and the 250 will really reach out and touch your favorite vermin..

I have both.. I prefer the 22-250 even though it's a "gas hog" and barrel life is shorter by a factor of 2 or 3.. but a 45gr hollow point moving over 4,000fps leaves a gooey mess where a groundhog used to be!