help me build a lightweight sub-.275 cal groundhog detonator.

[manbearpig]

Are we seriously advocating a .25-06 for a groundhog rifle??? Last I checked, the .243 and 6mm Remington were still overkill for coyote and anything under (I speak for the .243 which I've used for gophers and yotes). If there's somebody here than can tell me the difference between a ~4,000fps 55gr 6mm hit on a gopher and a ~3,500fps 75gr .25 hit I'd like to hear it... 99% of folks would say it's going to look just the same, and loaded right, the .243's got the longer reach and burns less powder. Plus, it sounds like manpig's quite the new hand at the shooting game from his posts and is not a reloader, he should stick with the .243 for the plethora of varmint loads for it.

This all just seems a little nuts to me... my ideal gopher/coyote gun's a .221 Fireball , and I end up using .223 just by virtue of how common it is.

most of the guns i own are pretty vanilla: .223, .308, .300wm, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, etc. ive never shot a .25-06 or even a common .270, much less a .257 wby mag - which is why im here asking what the most destructive sub .275 chambering is. im well aware of what .223 45gr JHP does to a groundhog as thats what i currently shoot.

i didnt ask for lectures on whether or not a .25-06 is 'overkill' or 'crazy'. yes, the .223 is a great first choice for a varmint gun and i appreciate the suggestions - but i already have three .223s. id like something different and i have no intention of buying another.

 

[DarrylDB]

Are we seriously advocating a .25-06 for a groundhog rifle??? Last I checked, the .243 and 6mm Remington were still overkill for coyote and anything under (I speak for the .243 which I've used for gophers and yotes). If there's somebody here than can tell me the difference between a ~4,000fps 55gr 6mm hit on a gopher and a ~3,500fps 75gr .25 hit I'd like to hear it... 99% of folks would say it's going to look just the same, and loaded right, the .243's got the longer reach and burns less powder. Plus, it sounds like manpig's quite the new hand at the shooting game from his posts and is not a reloader, he should stick with the .243 for the plethora of varmint loads for it.

This all just seems a little nuts to me... my ideal gopher/coyote gun's a .221 Fireball , and I end up using .223 just by virtue of how common it is.

We're not talking about "can", and "would"... both Irrelevant as we'd still be shooting 44-40's and 45-70's if "Need" was the question/issue with regard to cartridges and rifles. You have guys shooting 300 magnums as primary deer rifles, and you think a 25-06 is overkill? Dude, its personal preference, nothing more. Why do you shoot 7mm's for LR? Why does Mysticplayer like savage/stevens actions so much? Personal preference? No different than using a 25-06 vs a 243 (or 221 fireball) All fully capable as is a bajizzilion of other cartridges. Your Ideal is not my ideal, is not John Y cannuck's Ideal, is not Supercubs Ideal... Get my picture? Everyone has an opinion on what they like, or want to use best. Im sure we can both agree on that

Longer reach, burns less powder? Both Irrelevant and longer reach? C'mon! Both have custom bullets available with fast twists and by virtue of case capacity, your wrong .
But, you do make a hell of a point, if your not a reloader, or dont have access to reloading equipment, the 243 is a far superior choice due to a wide range factory offerings, and still gets em in the air. But, you cant argue that the 25-06 with a 75, or 85 hits alot harder than the 243 with 55s 65's or 70's. I've seen it with my own eyes countless times. It does.
With regard to "99% of the folks"? Do a bit of homework on the long range varmint hunting sites, and you might rethink that statement. there is a noticeable difference. Meplat, and velocity like eachother.
Personally, I'd like to see what a 300 rum with a 125 will do but where we hunt, its not legal.
You can ask "why" nearly as fast as "why not". but hey, to each they're own right?