Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => GUNSMITHING/ KNIFEMAKING => Topic started by: muddy on February 12, 2019, 02:17:52 PM
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Looking at getting a new (to me at least) varmint set up. I'm partial to 22-250 bolt action. But have nothing set in stone. Will be mostly for woodchuck and maybe coyote one day. Looking to spend less then $500.
Let's see what you got or recommend.
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22/250...the gold standard. Sure a 220 swift is faster but for general bullet availability you cannot go past this fantastic caliber.
I used to have one in Remington back in Oz ...bloody loved it.
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Savage 12FV in 22-250
or 243 (the 12FV 243 is 1:9.25 twist which is a little fast for little varmint bullets). 243 will sling a 55-65 gr at the same speed as the 22 sends 40-50's. But yah, another vote for 22 250.
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Back when I lived in Penna I used a sporter weight .22-250 Rem 700. Never got enough shots to justify a heavy barrel. That and the extra weight would suck in a State where none of the land is flat and a lot of it is steep.
Agree with gtermini that a Savage is probably your best bet at that price point.
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My 243 was built on a savage action. The guy who built it uses them to shoot prairie dogs. Lots of them too. But with the bull barrel, laminate stock and the Burris scope its not a carry gun.
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Go with whatever round is most available in your area.
I love 22-250 but it's hard to buy locally most of the time.
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Those 12FV are nice looking guns. My uncle has a beautiful Savage for a deer rifle.
Finding 22-250 is no issue here. Cabela's is less then 5 miles away.
Also my father has been shooting/reloading 22-250 for over 30 yrs and it's one of the first guns I shot.
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22-250 is a great varmint load but I also like the 17 hmr. Down fall is ammunition, when you find it can get expensive. The last groundhog war I had was fought with my AR, it worked very well.
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22-250 is a great varmint load but I also like the 17 hmr. Down fall is ammunition, when you find it can get expensive. The last groundhog war I had was fought with my AR, it worked very well.
Have a Marlin 917 in .17hmr. great gun! Have killed many a squirrel and Chuck with it.
Looking for something with a little more reach.
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Here's another idea that breaks from the original plan; an AR in 6.5 Grendel. Not a speed king like 22-250, but packing a pretty good punch on pests loaded up with a 90gr HP or 129gr A-Max. It's a great opportunity to make your own 80 lower too. I'm sure you have it in you to cut one out no problems.
This was a 90gr Speer HP in front of 29gr of H335 @2700fps. 240 yard shot uphill. There were head chunks 50' behind it. I woulnd't hesitate to shoot at a coyote at 300-350yd.
(https://i.imgur.com/bI9kihal.jpg)
Greyson
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IIRC anything larger than .22 caliber or semi automatic might be a problem in Penna. I might be misremembering but check before buying anything.
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The two letters AR always seem to be expensive....
IIRC anything larger than .22 caliber or semi automatic might be a problem in Penna. I might be misremembering but check before buying anything.
Certain zones are shotgun or bow and arrow only, but that instead in heavy residential areas.
Semi-auto rifles are legal for small game only, semi auto pistols are illegal for hunting.
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224 Valkyrie if you want to have the newest.
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I'd say 224valk is a different animal. More of a 22 short mag as most are rifled for heavier bullets. 77 and 90gr sierra match kings. They are high pressure powder eaters too, so don't expect more than about 4 loads on a case before the primer pocket is sloppy junk.
If you want more pop on the target end, I'd go -06 variant. 25-06 or 270 will send big varmint bullets at 3k+ easy and buck a heck of a wind.
Greyson
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I use an 06 for varmints and kyota.
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Handled one of these today. Seems like a good budget option. Reviews for the 12 seem great. Alot of people change out the synthetic stock.
Cabela's has them on sale for $319 starting tomorrow. Only 6.5 creedmore and .308 are on sale.
Also looked at a Vortex 4-12 that was budget friendly as well.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/1994604.uts?MDK=dynbanP_TR&MDC=cat105523380
https://www.cabelas.com/product/hunting/optics/riflescopes/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104535180/vortex-crossfire-ii-riflescopes/1441169.uts?slotId=1
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I have that exact setup in 22-250. It's a shooter!
I don't care for the Vortex scope after buying it. The eye relief is terrible on them. I'd look at Athlon scopes. They make a first focal plane for under $300 that is nice for the money.
Greyson
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For a varmint setup you really can’t go wrong with a 22-250, 25-06, or a 6.5 Creedmoor.
Personally, I like the 6.5. It’s a little slower, but more efficient and you’re pushing about twice the bullet, but still over 3,000 FPS with the right load. I guess for a dedicated varmint rig it doesn’t matter much, but 6.5 is much more versatile IMO and can be a do it all rifle in our region if you want it to be.
As for the scope, I’m happy with all 3 Vortex optics that I have. I set up a Ruger American 30-06 somewhat on the cheap. I spent the extra $70 for the Diamondback scope based on a couple recommendations. I can’t knock the Crossfire because I don’t have one, but I am very happy with the Diamondback.
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There is a gin show at the end of the month. Going to hold off and see what that has in store.
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Don't get too sloshed.
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Cabelas added 22 250 to the sale today. FYI.
Greyson
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Don't get too sloshed.
:)) sorry GUN show
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:D
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:))
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