More options for a lightweight in 223 which is the direction I'd go. A lightweight AR with a smaller 2-7 scope can be put together and come in around 7 lbs. and would be an option within your budget Plenty accurate for 300 yards. If you want a bolt rifle, the options are wide open, but a Tikka would be near the top of my list.
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Walking Varmiter
- Thread starter chipchip
- Start date
It is really like this, IMO:
22-250 is an "old" chamber/cartridge design. Most guns and ammo, have:
-too light of bullets for the case size. IMO, 22-250 ought to be loaded with 69-80 gr bullets for max value as a cartridge, but normal is 40 - 55. This makes its ballistics over 300 yds look bad.
- too slow of twist. Typical twist rate is 1:12 or 1:14. This is too slow to shoot 60+ gr bullets accurately.
- freebore. Often with these super high velocity chambers, the designers put excess freebore in the chamber which can play havoc on accuracy.
Where as 204 Ruger, 223, etc are often matched to ~1:9 twist chambers for better performance with med weight bullets.
Last, I think usting the phrase walking varminter makes me think of something in 221 Fireball through 223 with a 20" mid weight barrel, 4-12x40 BDC reticle scope and laminate stock. I think Savage makes one like this or Cooper at a higher price.
22-250 is an "old" chamber/cartridge design. Most guns and ammo, have:
-too light of bullets for the case size. IMO, 22-250 ought to be loaded with 69-80 gr bullets for max value as a cartridge, but normal is 40 - 55. This makes its ballistics over 300 yds look bad.
- too slow of twist. Typical twist rate is 1:12 or 1:14. This is too slow to shoot 60+ gr bullets accurately.
- freebore. Often with these super high velocity chambers, the designers put excess freebore in the chamber which can play havoc on accuracy.
Where as 204 Ruger, 223, etc are often matched to ~1:9 twist chambers for better performance with med weight bullets.
Last, I think usting the phrase walking varminter makes me think of something in 221 Fireball through 223 with a 20" mid weight barrel, 4-12x40 BDC reticle scope and laminate stock. I think Savage makes one like this or Cooper at a higher price.
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These are $1069. I have the .204 version of it and absolutely love it. They do offer it in laminated as well. Awesome trigger, shoots lights out.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84m/varmint
http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84m/varmint
The .204 has no problem with wind. I shoot mine out to a bit over 400 for groups and have killed a woodchuck at 364. I could hit them pretty reliably at that distance but I just don't ever get the chance.
The longest with my .204 Kimber was at 460 yards one day out in one of our bean fields... Partially luck, but partially due to having a ballistics calc dialed in and target turrets that allowed easy adjustment. I love that caliber.
I like a sporter weight barrel for walking varmint hunts here in the East. A .22-250 will be a bit warm in about 5 rounds, but unless shooting prarie dogs, that shouldn't be a problem. I had a Rem Varmint special that I had to get rid of because it was just to heavy to lug around the chuck fields, and I was a strong 20- something at the time.
My standard weight, 24" barreled, .22-250, Remington 700 ADL, built in the 80's, is a fantastic rifle. The Rem light varmint rifle might be the one I'd choose today. I just like the way Remington stocks fit me and like the pistol grip/trigger configuration.
If there were a 24" barreled Tikka or Sako in .22-250, they would also be nice, but maybe a bit light with the plastic stock, I'd probably choose wood.
The CZ varmint model I looked at weighed way too much for my tastes as a walking rifle.
My standard weight, 24" barreled, .22-250, Remington 700 ADL, built in the 80's, is a fantastic rifle. The Rem light varmint rifle might be the one I'd choose today. I just like the way Remington stocks fit me and like the pistol grip/trigger configuration.
If there were a 24" barreled Tikka or Sako in .22-250, they would also be nice, but maybe a bit light with the plastic stock, I'd probably choose wood.
The CZ varmint model I looked at weighed way too much for my tastes as a walking rifle.
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