dubbleA
Member
Hoping to get close to 3000fps with the 75gr amax. I am heading to the shop right now to start load development and chrongrahping, fingers are crossed.
target/varmint rifles!
- Thread starter rhino1957
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unwise11
Member
Only 3000?
not as improved as I thought they were.
but that is a heavy .223 bullet.
not as improved as I thought they were.
but that is a heavy .223 bullet.
Well, I only have a miserable Nikon that doesn't take decent pictures so I apologize for that. But this is my favorate, a Remington 700 Varmint Special in .25-06 that I bought new in 1979.
Why is it my favorite? Never seen a cartridge that is as versatile or can hit ground hogs like the 06. I had it topped with a Leupold M8 24x and if I could see a ground hog it was in mortal danger no matter what the distance. Jump up in bullet weight and its gone deer hunting and even bear hunting with me. In this picture it has a Weaver T24x scope that I was testing.
The 87 gr varmint bullets at 3400 fps are devastating.
A few years ago the barrel wore out. I replaced the barrel with a Krieger match, again in .25-06 Rem. What was good before is amazing now. It groups about 1/2" at 100 yards. So far 30 rounds through it with the new barrel.
I also have a Winchester 70 Stealth in .308 Win and another 700 VS Stainless in .22-250, both are good but just don't hold my interest like the 06.
Why is it my favorite? Never seen a cartridge that is as versatile or can hit ground hogs like the 06. I had it topped with a Leupold M8 24x and if I could see a ground hog it was in mortal danger no matter what the distance. Jump up in bullet weight and its gone deer hunting and even bear hunting with me. In this picture it has a Weaver T24x scope that I was testing.
The 87 gr varmint bullets at 3400 fps are devastating.
A few years ago the barrel wore out. I replaced the barrel with a Krieger match, again in .25-06 Rem. What was good before is amazing now. It groups about 1/2" at 100 yards. So far 30 rounds through it with the new barrel.
I also have a Winchester 70 Stealth in .308 Win and another 700 VS Stainless in .22-250, both are good but just don't hold my interest like the 06.
unwise11
Member
Wow, I like that 700, Reminds me of my Ex- Stepdad's 700 BDL in 7mm mag except that one has a bull barrel.
How far have you shot that out to?
How far have you shot that out to?
JDMorris, thanks. The longest shot I ever measured was 525 yards. I've made longer shots but never really measured them. That rifle and cartridge has amazed me for 30+ years. You can't see what you hit as it has some recoil, but you can hear the bullet hit, sounds like a slap.
Sadly Remington no longer chambers the .25-06 in a varmint rifle, a mistake in my opinion.
Sadly Remington no longer chambers the .25-06 in a varmint rifle, a mistake in my opinion.
unwise11
Member
Haha, I call that squirrel thump.
I like using subsonics in my .22's for that reason.
that is the most rewarding noise you ever hear.
How much are you paying per box of good ammo for that?
I like using subsonics in my .22's for that reason.
that is the most rewarding noise you ever hear.
How much are you paying per box of good ammo for that?
That rifle to date has only seen 4 boxes of store ammo. I remember when I bought the gun I had a feeling the .25-06 wasn't going to be around long so started reloading. My last trip to Walmart I saw they sell .25-06 ammo now, so I guess it's gotten more popular over the years.
I still remember paying $238 for the rifle and $190 for the Leupold scope. At the time that was a piece of change.
When I had the barrel replaced I also had everything else trued on the action, added a Timney trigger and had everything re-bedded.
The new barrel seems to like the 87 gr bullets the best so far. I tried 100 gr for awhile but accuracy was nothing like the lighter bullet. Probably just needs a little more tinkering with the load.
Funny that a friend almost talked me into selling it when the barrel wore out. But I thought about all the years of enjoyment I had hunting on the farms around here, and decided to rebarrel.
I still remember paying $238 for the rifle and $190 for the Leupold scope. At the time that was a piece of change.
When I had the barrel replaced I also had everything else trued on the action, added a Timney trigger and had everything re-bedded.
The new barrel seems to like the 87 gr bullets the best so far. I tried 100 gr for awhile but accuracy was nothing like the lighter bullet. Probably just needs a little more tinkering with the load.
Funny that a friend almost talked me into selling it when the barrel wore out. But I thought about all the years of enjoyment I had hunting on the farms around here, and decided to rebarrel.
unwise11
Member
Do your 700's ever Go off when you flip your safety?
I've never had a problem with any of mine going off with the safety. The one in the picture is the only 700 that had the safety that you had turn off to move the bolt. I'll admit that I did have the trigger work done by a competent gunsmith.
Also I always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction anytime I'm using a gun. I have never trusted a safety.
Also I always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction anytime I'm using a gun. I have never trusted a safety.
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
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The only safety I trust is my ability to point the muzzle in a safe direction. All other safeties are just for insurance
rattletrap1970
Member
Just went to the range today.
Rifle is a Savage 12 BTCSS
Pillar Bedded with Devcon 10110
Ground recoil lug.
Millet LRS-1 Scope
Harris Bipod.
Rifle is a Savage 12 BTCSS
Pillar Bedded with Devcon 10110
Ground recoil lug.
Millet LRS-1 Scope
Harris Bipod.
JDMorris:
To clarify, about 3 years back, I bought a DPMS rifle, in .308 Win. It was defective. <<You can search the link>> I sent it back to DPMS, and they made it into a custom rifle. We had seveeeeeeral back and forth calls, and DPMS did just what I wanted to that rifle. In the end, I had a custom DPMS, with a 3-pound steel receiver (total weight appx 19 pounds), that fired 0.25 center-to-center groups. They remounted the barrel in such a way that they estimated it to take about 200 round just to break in the tightness of the chamber.
With that process, DPMS really earned my respect. Though, I always wondered about having had such a rifle assembled in 5.56mm. And especially with a STS barrel.
Geno
To clarify, about 3 years back, I bought a DPMS rifle, in .308 Win. It was defective. <<You can search the link>> I sent it back to DPMS, and they made it into a custom rifle. We had seveeeeeeral back and forth calls, and DPMS did just what I wanted to that rifle. In the end, I had a custom DPMS, with a 3-pound steel receiver (total weight appx 19 pounds), that fired 0.25 center-to-center groups. They remounted the barrel in such a way that they estimated it to take about 200 round just to break in the tightness of the chamber.
With that process, DPMS really earned my respect. Though, I always wondered about having had such a rifle assembled in 5.56mm. And especially with a STS barrel.
Geno
dubbleA
Member
JDMorris said:
What does your 223AI produce with a 75gr Amax? What powders are you using? Can you help with suggesting any personal knowledge with the 223AI?
taliv said:
taliv, I tried a couple of 223AI loads this afternoon. With Varget and the 75gr Amax seated to 2.513" which is .010" off the lands. This load averaged 3040fps anda SD of 9 through my chronograph. It's shooting ok, though I'll probably tinker a bit with OAL.
5 shot groups@100yds Left .39" Right .15"
unwise11
Member
I wasn't being sarcastic DubbleA, I just thought the .223AI was a barrel burner at 4000ish for a while, I never really told you I knew a better way and 75 grains is a heavy .223 bullet so It probably would be up there with 50grainers is what I meant.
Don't be so quick to think I'm insulting that fantastic rifle that I drooled over the first time I saw it. I just thought that was a faster round is all I meant.
Don't be so quick to think I'm insulting that fantastic rifle that I drooled over the first time I saw it. I just thought that was a faster round is all I meant.
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
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DoubleA, Thats a might far off the lands for a heavy 75gr in a .223 don't you think? Been a while since I loaded for one so maybe my brain is malfunctioning (wouldn't be the first time) but I seem to remember always seating the heavy ones a bit closer. Granted you did get some pretty sporty grouping there though. One "flyer" but not bad at all.
nastynatesfish
Member
not really...
heres a pic of mine, not really a target or varmint but i do both with it.
its a remington 700sps 7 mm rem mag that i bought new in march, rebarreled with a 26" .850" straight taper ershaw barrel. put the helical fluting on it cause the wife was yelling at me for "wasting money" lol, guess i showed her how to waste money.
i bought a bdl stock and opened to 1 1/8 inch to accept the barrel and then put a magpul flat dark earth dura coat on it.
it shoots great but i dont have any targets to post now so ill keep it shut till i can
I have a savage in 7mm that I loved and its great for muledeer and elk. The round is very versitile and shoots great. The 7mm ballistics are hard to beat for long shots. I've taken 3 deer with it and not having to track one down is a big plus. Right bullet right load and the right shooter make any rifle a hell of an all around gun but the magnum takes any what if out of the mix.
heres a pic of mine, not really a target or varmint but i do both with it.
its a remington 700sps 7 mm rem mag that i bought new in march, rebarreled with a 26" .850" straight taper ershaw barrel. put the helical fluting on it cause the wife was yelling at me for "wasting money" lol, guess i showed her how to waste money.
i bought a bdl stock and opened to 1 1/8 inch to accept the barrel and then put a magpul flat dark earth dura coat on it.
it shoots great but i dont have any targets to post now so ill keep it shut till i can
I have a savage in 7mm that I loved and its great for muledeer and elk. The round is very versitile and shoots great. The 7mm ballistics are hard to beat for long shots. I've taken 3 deer with it and not having to track one down is a big plus. Right bullet right load and the right shooter make any rifle a hell of an all around gun but the magnum takes any what if out of the mix.
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BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I use a Winchester Model 70 Heavy Barrel Varmint in .308. The twist is 1 in 12, and I'm able to use something as light as Hornady's 110 gr V-Max all the way up to Sierra's 175 gr MatchKing with excellent accuracy.
Winchester made the HBV with a stainless barrel for only a few years before they switched to a blued chrome moly barrel for cost savings. Everything I heard or read about people who own one or the other report that the factory stainless barrels were/are slightly more accurate.
I got group sizes in the teens at 100 yards when it was new. Years and about 6,000 rounds later it's begun to open up to about .75 MOA on me. In the new year it's being shipped out to get a Hart barrel put on it, and I'll probably settle on a 24 inch to replace the factory 26 inch length.
Because .308 gives me plenty of distance for my area. I like the higher B.C. on the .30 caliber round over the .22 caliber. It makes shooting in field conditions easier. I've got to judge wind and distance much more accurately with a .22 caliber round.
I picked it after seeing a friend's of the exact same model. It had everything I wanted. I'm a Model 70 man, and this came out of the box with a good H-S Precision stock and a great barrel.
I put a Leupold fixed 12X Varminter scope on it. It has the older-style, Marine-spec oval Mil-Dot reticle. I'm just a fan of that style. Leupold discontinued that model years ago, but I love it. 12X is plenty for me, and the cost was a good bit less than a variable of the same quality. I've never had a situation when 12X was too much. I've taken groundhogs with it as close as 30 yards and never felt like I needed a lower setting.
I've shot out as far as 1,000 yards with it, but it's practical limitation is about 800. The scope tube is only an inch, so I don't get the range of adjustment a 30mm tube gives me. With a 15 MOA base I can get to 1,000 yards with Lapua's 155 gr Scenar, but it's not really why I got the rifle. 800 yards is plenty enough challenge.
Winchester made the HBV with a stainless barrel for only a few years before they switched to a blued chrome moly barrel for cost savings. Everything I heard or read about people who own one or the other report that the factory stainless barrels were/are slightly more accurate.
I got group sizes in the teens at 100 yards when it was new. Years and about 6,000 rounds later it's begun to open up to about .75 MOA on me. In the new year it's being shipped out to get a Hart barrel put on it, and I'll probably settle on a 24 inch to replace the factory 26 inch length.
rhino1957 said:
Because .308 gives me plenty of distance for my area. I like the higher B.C. on the .30 caliber round over the .22 caliber. It makes shooting in field conditions easier. I've got to judge wind and distance much more accurately with a .22 caliber round.
I picked it after seeing a friend's of the exact same model. It had everything I wanted. I'm a Model 70 man, and this came out of the box with a good H-S Precision stock and a great barrel.
I put a Leupold fixed 12X Varminter scope on it. It has the older-style, Marine-spec oval Mil-Dot reticle. I'm just a fan of that style. Leupold discontinued that model years ago, but I love it. 12X is plenty for me, and the cost was a good bit less than a variable of the same quality. I've never had a situation when 12X was too much. I've taken groundhogs with it as close as 30 yards and never felt like I needed a lower setting.
I've shot out as far as 1,000 yards with it, but it's practical limitation is about 800. The scope tube is only an inch, so I don't get the range of adjustment a 30mm tube gives me. With a 15 MOA base I can get to 1,000 yards with Lapua's 155 gr Scenar, but it's not really why I got the rifle. 800 yards is plenty enough challenge.
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unwise11
Member
Nice gun, I want one like that in .223
Maverick223
Member
Per my understanding Winchester discontinued that particular model. Furthermore, they were never as popular as the .308Win. version (why that is the case I haven't a clue) so you might want to grab one when you get the chance.
unwise11
Member
Want, and getting, are very different mav
I will probably get another Howa when I buy a .223 varmint rifle, that or a Rem SPS tac.
but that is a bit down the road...
I will probably get another Howa when I buy a .223 varmint rifle, that or a Rem SPS tac.
but that is a bit down the road...
It was even a surprise to me. About 3 months ago I wanted to pick up another Stealth only in .22-250 Rem. There are none. I found a few on the auction sites for over 1k but that's to rich for my blood.
The Stealth in the picture was bought right after Winchester announced closing the plant, believe the price was $540 back then.
Maverick223
Member
Joed, Perhaps they will add a few more later on. They recently added several new series (SS fwt., safari, ult. shadow, and fwt. deluxe), so they might expand some of the existing ones, or build you what you want in the custom shop (if they have one). I wouldn't bank on asking their CS reps., when I asked them if a .375H&H would be amongst their new offerings (after they said new models were coming, but had yet to disclose the chamberings), they replied that there wasn't enough interest and that wasn't a consideration...3mo. later they unveiled the safari line with a .375H&H. I would have waited on it had I known it was forthcoming...but ended up buying one a month or so before (their loss, I positively love that Mauser!).
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