Ideal Long Range Varmint Caliber

U

Uhave2

New member
What would be an ideal long range( 600yd) Varmint hunting caliber? A few locals have recommended 7mmMag, .308, .270. They seem kind of overkill to me.
But what do I know. That's why I'm asking you guys.
My other criteria are:
-It will be used for target shooting the vast majority of the time.
-Something readily available and not an obscure handload only caliber.
-Not .223.
Thanks
 
.22-250 (may be hard to find in some areas, but it would be my 1st choice)

.243 (one of the better all-around cartridges out there)

.220 Swift (ammo availability a likely problem here)

The problem with the lighter weight, really fast bullets at the range you're talking about (600 yards) is the wind. It affects ALL bullets in flight (obviously), but the smaller calibers just don't have the mass that the larger ones do, and that makes them much more susceptible. If you're in an area where the wind is at all a problem, then I'd go with the .243 and the heavier loads available for it.
 
Sounds like a job for the 25-06 Remington. Very flat shooting, lots of ammo choices and rifles chambered for it. Has enough energy out at 600 yards to still be effective.
Another choice, is the .257 Roberts+P. Higher performing .257 Roberts for new rifles that can handle the higher pressures. Ballistics approach the .25-06.
Take Care
 
So is handloading an option?

The best deal on varminting is to reload your own. That way you can work up the most accurate loads for your own gun. If you are just going to be reloading for this gun, I would say it would be worth it. Just buy a single stage press and the dies you need. That way you can afford to shoot a lot more varmints. I personally use .308 because that is just the gun I wanted to buy (A Remington Model 700 VS). I have busted ground squirrels all the way out to a confirmed 325 yards with Hornady 110 gr. V-Max bullets and pulled some really close shots from 400-600 yards with some unknown 125 gr. softpoints I got from my cousin. I reload all of my own on a Dillon RL 550B. That surplus military stuff I just don't think is going to do what i want it to with varmints. The explosive power of a V-Max or a Speer 125 gr. TNT HP is not there with ball ammo nor is the accuracy really. I also use this same gun to shoot 1000 yard matches with handloaded Sierra 175 gr. HPBT Moly Coated MatchKings and I do pretty good in the F Class. That is the good thing about the .308 it is very versitile for just about everything. It might be overkill and more expensive on the varmint side, but it sure stops squirrels and coyotes in their tracks.

My dad has a .22-250 that he has used to harvest hundreds of coyotes (up to around 350-400 yards) with and it is very effective on ground squirrels. Once again he handloads his ammo.

I have heard good things about the .243. I have heard that it is a very good balance of both worlds. I would look into it as well.

Whatever you chose, it sort of depends on the gun you buy, the ammo you use, and you. My friend uses his custom AR-15 that weighs darn near 20 pounds and has a barrel like a Barrett .50 BMG on it. He was shooting a little better than me at 500-600 yards with that .223 and I was using my .308. Whatever you chose, if you are not into reloading, reconsider it. If it is out of the question, then I appologize and you can just disregard my statements on reloading. I only mention it because it is in my opinion a very important part of saving money and making the right ammo for your gun. And having the right ammo makes shots at 600 yards. Good luck.
 
1-.257 Weatherby
2-.25-06
3-.243 Winchester
Well, that's what I'D choose, given the stated parameters....mikey357
 
22-250

Consider reloading the .308 and with that consider reloading with some of the newer sabots and .22 caliber target bullets.

Although I used to shoot the 22-250 rather well on ground hogs out to a little over 1,000 yards with a bipod and scope, I found that I could shoot the .308 sabot even more accurately and that I then had a great rifle with a huge lattitude of loads from ultra long distance varmit to big game. You could do the same in 30-06 as well.

Just a thought. I don't reload any more but I imagine that the sabots are still available and probably even better ones and probably even better bullets than I had.

According to your criteria and if I were you... I'd love to have a .308 for the cheap surplus ammo, the wide selection of factory made ammo and reloading supplies AND it would be great if they made a .22 or smaller bullet and sabot for it with about a 70 grain bullet -- that is long and skinny...

I don't shoot such a gun any longer due to spinal problems and shakes but if I were younger that's what I'd be lookin for.

Since you may well consider reloading anyway because of the distances you plan; you might want to consider a single shot such as the Thompson and some unique round. As a rule, according to my limited experience, a long skinny bullet in a sabot with a large cartridge is FUN for what you are doing. One thing that is available now that was not when I shot such things, is the wonderfully accurate range finders. With these range finders now, the correct distance and therefore the absolute correct elevation corrections allow for much better judgement in ultra long distance shooting. Last year we checked one of the new and expensive "laser" range finders on a measured mile and it was only 12 feet off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's good enough!

But there are many on TFL with current experience that can advise you better.
 
If you are going to punch holes in paper get a .308 lots of loads and even cheap mil sup loads to keep the habit going... many silouette shooters use the 7mm-08 they shoot up to 500 meters offhand

what gun are you going to put this in.....
 
Bit over a year ago there was a gentleman by the handle of Redmist who posted on the Hunting forum. Me musta been an awefully good rifle builder and shooter. He was capable of prairie dog dingin at beyond 1,800 meters (verified by survey). Alas, he seems to have lumbered off to limbo, his knowledge forever lost to us as the search function does not find him. There is a new redmist who registered this year, what a load to carry.

Sam
 
What great thoughtful advice! Thanks.
I'm just getting into reloading so I need a steady source of ammo.
Leaning towards a Sako 75 Varmint. Not married to it,yet.
That .257 Weatherby Mag, 87gr @ 3825fps is interesting, unfortunately it's not available in Sako.
I think that .243 or .25/06 may be the way to go after viewing some data tables.
Do you guys approve?
 
How into reloading are you?

I would think as long as you have the basic reloading stuff, the .243 would be a good choice. I am sure brass is not too expensive for it. I am not sure though. Whatever you chose, reloading is the way to go. Good luck.
 
Uhave2: What sort of target shooting are you considering? Competitive, or personal entertainment and load development?

From the vast majority of all comments here at TFL, .308 is the way to go if you intend to compete in any matches.

Otherwise, I'm reading a fair amount of commentary about long-range hits with heavy-barrelled rifles in .243. For a reloader, the bullets are less expensive, and it takes just a bit less powder per load. There is MUCH less recoil from the 55/85-grain bullets than from a 150-grain or more.

I used to do most of my reloading with a C-press during Monday Night Football. There is six seconds of action, followed by 30 seconds of butt-scratching; and there are the time-outs and half-time. I think it works out to eight minutes of football action in three hours--lotsa time for "real important work". :)

You might check out the folks over at http://www.varminter.com also.

Regards,

Art
 
I second perfesser's recommendation!

7mm-08 is definitely an excellent varminting calibre for the ranges involved. Recoil is relatively mild and you can buy some good varminting loads for it. Silhouette shooting is done at these distances and most shooters are now using 7mm-08.
 
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