For accuracy and durability you want a single shot trifle. Much more bedding are under the action, since there is no cut-out for a mag. I like and use Savage single shots.
223 or 243 or 6.5 creedmoor???
- Thread starter wayupnorth
- Start date
For accuracy and durability you want a single shot trifle. Much more bedding are under the action, since there is no cut-out for a mag. I like and use Savage single shots.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
i was looking for a simple round that is readily available.
i live remote and the local store only carries the main calibers.
i live remote and the local store only carries the main calibers.
So you don't reload? Then go with 223.
I'll leave the platform choice up to you since you haven't mentioned a budget only that you want a single shot.
If it were up to me I would have Jerry build a nice single shot 223. Go with an 8 twist barrel maybe even a 7. You can't overstabilize a bullet so there really is no reason to go with looser than an 8 twist unless you plan to shoot the lightest thin jacket varmint bullet available and risk having it come apart in flight due to the RPM, you shouldn't have to worry about that with factory ammo though. I've had good results with 55gr V-max and 50gr ballistic silvertips from a 7 twist so you would be fine for varminting and still able to get some 75+ grain rounds through it for some longer range shooting if you felt like it.
The 6BR is a good round but it's a handloaders round not a go down to the local store and buy a box round.
223 will do everything you say you want to do with it and can easily shoot a gopher or coyote at 300-400 yards.
My new favorite is the 17 Fireball, I picked up a Remington 700 in 17FB and it's an amazing little round, good to 300 yds with no problems at all and zero recoil. Only problem with it is ammo availability. I reload so it's not a problem for me. Look into it though it's an awesome round. 20gr 17 cal going 4000fps with an extremely flat trajectory out to 300yds.
Good luck
I'll leave the platform choice up to you since you haven't mentioned a budget only that you want a single shot.
If it were up to me I would have Jerry build a nice single shot 223. Go with an 8 twist barrel maybe even a 7. You can't overstabilize a bullet so there really is no reason to go with looser than an 8 twist unless you plan to shoot the lightest thin jacket varmint bullet available and risk having it come apart in flight due to the RPM, you shouldn't have to worry about that with factory ammo though. I've had good results with 55gr V-max and 50gr ballistic silvertips from a 7 twist so you would be fine for varminting and still able to get some 75+ grain rounds through it for some longer range shooting if you felt like it.
The 6BR is a good round but it's a handloaders round not a go down to the local store and buy a box round.
223 will do everything you say you want to do with it and can easily shoot a gopher or coyote at 300-400 yards.
My new favorite is the 17 Fireball, I picked up a Remington 700 in 17FB and it's an amazing little round, good to 300 yds with no problems at all and zero recoil. Only problem with it is ammo availability. I reload so it's not a problem for me. Look into it though it's an awesome round. 20gr 17 cal going 4000fps with an extremely flat trajectory out to 300yds.
Good luck
I have video of my 7-twist 223AI disintegrating Speer 52gr hollow points during fire forming. Just picked a load out of the manual that was around the 3/4 to max load and 99% of them popped. Same load with with FMJ was fine.
The .22-250 is definitely a main cartridge, and for quite some time was the most popular varmint cartridge around. If your local store carries .223 and even 6.5 Creedmore, I would be shocked it didn't have .22-250. If you aren't familiar with it though, you might want to just do a quick search. It has more long-range accuracy and stopping power than similar weighted .223 rounds. Though with .223, you can buy heavier rounds that can give it the edge, but that is assuming you buy a rifle with a fast twist rate.
I recently picked up a new varmint rifle. Like you I wanted something a little smaller to go with my .308s. For what it is worth, I will give a brief run down of what i was thinking. When I was in the early stages of deciding what I wanted I was looking at the .204, .223, .22-250, and the .243. After deciding the .204 wasn't for me, I began taking a closer look at the other three. All three seemed to be more accurate than my shooting abilities. Though I got the impression the .243 and .22-250 were a bit more accurate, particularly at ranges beyond 300 metres. Though I'm sure a few people here will disagree with me
I fairly quickly ruled out the .243 however. While it was the cartridge I liked the best out of the original four, there wasn't a good enough selection of ammo for me. While there was certainly a lot of ammo out there, it was largely the less accurate deer rifle rounds. I could only find a couple of choices in more accurate varmint rounds. And they were very expensive. I think $35 for one and $45 for the other.
That left just the .223 and .22-250. Being a geek and an accountant, I actually went down to the two largest gun stores here and did a quick inventory of what was available for those two calibers. I don't have the info anymore, but my memory was as follows. Ignoring the cheaper quality ammo and only taking into account target/match and varmint ammo, I think I found approximately 20 different kinds of ammo for the .223, versus about 10 different kinds for the .22-250. Price-wise I think the average price for the .223 was $29/box, whereas the average price for the .22-250 was approaching $31/box.
But ignoring the .22-250, than I would encourage you to get the .223. And like others have mentioned here already, look for a rifle with a faster twist rate so you can get the heavier .223 rounds.
Having owned or currently own four of the five Cals that have been mentioned with factory loads avail, my call is for the .223 based on you don't reload as of yet.
Of the three the OP is considering i can comment on three from experience and just so they have for future reference (I added in the 204R)
.204Ruger
Don't let the .20Cal designation fool you. This is a capable cartridge up to Coyote. It really shines if you reload in the 35gr-39gr window however. Has a long case & barrel life even though it can push the 38-4100fps realms with reloads (longer than 22-250 would last). From Crows, Groundhogs to Coyote this lil guy can do it with minimal recoil & noise. Something to consider. One of the bonuses withe .204 is it's low recoil & noise. Once you touch off a round there's barely any recoil & no loss of sight target wise. Get ready to watch pink mists through the scope if your hunting with this Cal
.223
Largest selection of factory & after-market bullets available. Depending on the twist rate, you'll be able to run from 50gr-80gr projectiles. No worries about barrel life here. Most manufacturers have a wide selection of .223 Varmint & regular configurations avail, your sure to find something that you like. A great Cal to start with for the Precision/LR hunting arena.
22-250
Once the most popular varmint cal, now it's taking a somewhat backseat to the .204 & .223 combined. Flat & fast, it gets beat out by the .204R beyond 3-350yrds trajectory wise. Barrel life could be a problem if you intend on high volume shooting however. I traded my 22-250 based on this.
.243
6mm/6.5mm have some of the best BCs in projectiles bar none. Accurate and has punch well beyond 400yrds. Don't believe it? Search youtube for "dartman76" user and watch his neighbour shoot out from 5-1000yrds on Coyotes with his .243 Overkill for the smaller stuff, maybe not enough juice for exceptionally large deer as some would say, it still should consider a serious look.
6.5 Creedmore
I looked long and hard at this Cal 2-3yrs ago when it came out. Brass and factory ammo was only avail by Hornady then & everyone was still just starting to mess with it on the loading bench, so there wasn't much info available just yet. If i was out west coyote hunting I might consider it as an ultra long range cal based on the above noted BCs. Then again, it's nothing a 25-06, 243, 6.5Swe or 270 couldn't handle with more readily avail factory ammunition. One might eventually find it's way into the cabinet someday as it intrigues me
As for Savage, Remington or Tikka debate? Pick one, they'll all do what the OP is looking for.
Of the three the OP is considering i can comment on three from experience and just so they have for future reference (I added in the 204R)
.204Ruger
Don't let the .20Cal designation fool you. This is a capable cartridge up to Coyote. It really shines if you reload in the 35gr-39gr window however. Has a long case & barrel life even though it can push the 38-4100fps realms with reloads (longer than 22-250 would last). From Crows, Groundhogs to Coyote this lil guy can do it with minimal recoil & noise. Something to consider. One of the bonuses withe .204 is it's low recoil & noise. Once you touch off a round there's barely any recoil & no loss of sight target wise. Get ready to watch pink mists through the scope if your hunting with this Cal
.223
Largest selection of factory & after-market bullets available. Depending on the twist rate, you'll be able to run from 50gr-80gr projectiles. No worries about barrel life here. Most manufacturers have a wide selection of .223 Varmint & regular configurations avail, your sure to find something that you like. A great Cal to start with for the Precision/LR hunting arena.
22-250
Once the most popular varmint cal, now it's taking a somewhat backseat to the .204 & .223 combined. Flat & fast, it gets beat out by the .204R beyond 3-350yrds trajectory wise. Barrel life could be a problem if you intend on high volume shooting however. I traded my 22-250 based on this.
.243
6mm/6.5mm have some of the best BCs in projectiles bar none. Accurate and has punch well beyond 400yrds. Don't believe it? Search youtube for "dartman76" user and watch his neighbour shoot out from 5-1000yrds on Coyotes with his .243 Overkill for the smaller stuff, maybe not enough juice for exceptionally large deer as some would say, it still should consider a serious look.
6.5 Creedmore
I looked long and hard at this Cal 2-3yrs ago when it came out. Brass and factory ammo was only avail by Hornady then & everyone was still just starting to mess with it on the loading bench, so there wasn't much info available just yet. If i was out west coyote hunting I might consider it as an ultra long range cal based on the above noted BCs. Then again, it's nothing a 25-06, 243, 6.5Swe or 270 couldn't handle with more readily avail factory ammunition. One might eventually find it's way into the cabinet someday as it intrigues me
As for Savage, Remington or Tikka debate? Pick one, they'll all do what the OP is looking for.
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I know very little about the 6.5 CD but I do know if the AR was ever to be non restricted I would be getting one tuned to fire high pressure .243 I think that would be one heck of a dang fine rifle... My Dad I know swore by the 6.5 x 55 sw for yote's up to deer. .223 is cheep but I think the .243 is where you may want to be. and yes the .270 is another caliber that is lazier flat.
If it was my decision to make between the 223 or 6.5 i'd buy both. Shoot both to decide which you prefer then sell the loser on the EE at a decent profit, after all you did break in the barrel properly.
Likely the 223 would win out if you throw in gopher wacking as well as target shooting.
Likely the 223 would win out if you throw in gopher wacking as well as target shooting.
I give the nod to the 6.5 for paper punching as I'm a 260Rem shooter. Balloons at 920M are a cinch!
But for small critter control the 223 with Berger 52gr Flatbased Target bullets will amaze you!
I'm getting 5 shot groups into a dime at 100M with a Savage 25 and under 6" groups at 675M.
Also, go savage, if you decide you don't like the caliber you went with, you can do a simple barrel swap!
But for small critter control the 223 with Berger 52gr Flatbased Target bullets will amaze you!
I'm getting 5 shot groups into a dime at 100M with a Savage 25 and under 6" groups at 675M.
Also, go savage, if you decide you don't like the caliber you went with, you can do a simple barrel swap!
tylerjwitty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Ontario
when in doubt always choose a 6.5 mm
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
thanks for all the good info guys!
reading through it all and searching stuff to read on the net.
reading through it all and searching stuff to read on the net.
