Looking for the lightest weight varmint 22-250. Your input is requested.

smak_daddy

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I'm looking for a new lightweight varmint rifle that will be used exclusively for coyotes. I'd like to get as light as possible in 22-250. I've been looking at all the usual suspects (Winchester, Savage, Tikka etc. etc.)

I've always used super heavy varmint rifles, but I'm looking fill a niche in my collection.

I was hoping to hear from your first hand experiences with these types of rifles.

Willing to spend up to $1,200ish.
 
I'm also fed up with heavy varmint rifle and will buy a Tikka T3 Lite in 223 Rem and will install a good 4-12x or 4-15x scope on it.
My plan is to keep the rifle total weight under 8lbs and accuracy around 0.75 MOA!

I'll keep everyone posted (my previous varmint rifle was a 243 Win with a 6-24x50mm target scope..)

Alex
 
my vote is for Tikka Mine in .222 keeps up to most I used it today at a bench rests shoot and was shooting 46-48 out of 55 at 100. I am told my low powered scope is holding me back.
 
Well do you really want it as light as possible, or just sporter weight (6.5-7.5ish lbs) instead of a big heavy varmint rig?

IIRC Kimber has made the Classic and Classic Select Grade in .22-250. These weigh 5 lbs 10 oz, certainly a fair bit lighter than even the Tikka. They are also glass and pillar bedded from factory and have an amazing trigger. You may be in for a search, but could possibly find one for $1200 or slightly over.
 
Well do you really want it as light as possible, or just sporter weight (6.5-7.5ish lbs) instead of a big heavy varmint rig?

IIRC Kimber has made the Classic and Classic Select Grade in .22-250. These weigh 5 lbs 10 oz, certainly a fair bit lighter than even the Tikka. They are also glass and pillar bedded from factory and have an amazing trigger. You may be in for a search, but could possibly find one for $1200 or slightly over.


Wow, thanks.
 
I have a T3 Lite 223 with Talley rings and a 12X Leupold... awesome rifle, light enough to carry all day.
When I bought it there were very few comparable 223s with an 8" twist and it will make bug hole groups with almost anything I load for it.
And after several winters of rain and snow it has proven to be very reliable.
 
I have a T3 Lite 223 with Talley rings and a 12X Leupold... awesome rifle, light enough to carry all day.
When I bought it there were very few comparable 223s with an 8" twist and it will make bug hole groups with almost anything I load for it.
And after several winters of rain and snow it has proven to be very reliable.

That's exactly me plan but I might go for a smaller/lighter scope and might even go for a 20" 223 to get some extra barrel rigidity and some weight off.
I've been so impressed by all the T3 that I've shot (223 Rem, 308 Win, 7 Rem Mag, 270 WSM and 300 WSM) that I simply can't wait to buy one!

Alex
 
This is what I picked up for a light, snowshoeing/toting coyote gun. Remington Model Seven (.223) I love this little gun! Very accurate. Paid $700ish.

 
I'm hoping someone with experience can chime in. I'm in the same boat, I've been considering a savage, x-bolt or rem 700 in 22-250 w/ Varmint contour. When I was at the local gun place today, I was comparing the savage in 308 and 22-250. It seems like they both use the same contour and OD barrel, but the 22 caliber barrel naturally has more 'meat' around the bore since it's a smaller hole.

My question: is a sporter contour .22 cal barrel good enough for multiple shot strings before overheating, since it has what looks like the same proportion of steel around the bore as a varmint barrel would in a larger caliber? Is it even worth getting a varmint contour barrel if accuracy was to be the same?
 
Well my current xbolt in 270 wsm starts throwing fliers after around the 5th shot, it'd be nice to get closer to 8-10 (or more) shots before letting the barrel cool off. I've never owned a 22-250, so that's why I'm wondering how much a varmint contour would help vs sporter.
 
My question: is a sporter contour .22 cal barrel good enough for multiple shot strings before overheating, since it has what looks like the same proportion of steel around the bore as a varmint barrel would in a larger caliber? Is it even worth getting a varmint contour barrel if accuracy was to be the same?
A lightweight .22 cal bbl will heat up like any other lightweight bbl, and that would be fairly fast. They do shoot well.

I had this faux TI 22/250 built a couple years ago with 1:9" Shilen MR contour. I don't usually shoot it more than 3 times in a string at the range and cannot see me shooting it more than that in the field.

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I love the faux Ti.

I was recently was in the same boat looking for lighter 22-250. After putting together a list
of my needs and wants I decided to build myself a faux Sako Finnilight on a 75 action.

Starting with a 7-08 and have a lilja barrel on order. Finish it off with a McMillan edge stock
and talley rings. Still havent decided on what scope to use.

Not going to be the lightest rifle around but should be nice when its done.
 
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