Author Topic: Varmint Rig.  (Read 10068 times)

Offline muddy

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Varmint Rig.
« on: February 12, 2019, 02:17:52 PM »
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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Offline jabberwoki

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2019, 04:34:36 PM »
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.
Is the need enough? Or does the want suffice?

Offline gtermini

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2019, 05:04:31 PM »
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.

Offline Matt_T

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2019, 05:28:50 PM »
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.

Offline slip knot

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2019, 06:35:08 PM »
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.

Offline Rusty

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2019, 08:25:00 PM »
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.
"Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation.
 For only a war waged for revenge or defense can be just"

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Offline muddy

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2019, 08:36:46 PM »
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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Offline highland512

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2019, 07:40:20 AM »
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.

Offline muddy

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2019, 09:34:14 AM »
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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Offline gtermini

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2019, 10:03:32 AM »
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.


Greyson

Offline Matt_T

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2019, 11:06:00 AM »
IIRC anything larger than .22 caliber or semi automatic might be a problem in Penna. I might be misremembering but check before buying anything.

Offline muddy

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2019, 11:29:09 AM »
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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Offline Rusty

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2019, 12:18:56 PM »
224 Valkyrie if you want to have the newest.
"Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation.
 For only a war waged for revenge or defense can be just"

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Offline jabberwoki

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2019, 01:51:05 PM »
Is the need enough? Or does the want suffice?

Offline gtermini

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Re: Varmint Rig.
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2019, 02:29:15 PM »
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