Varminter Caliber

D

despyzedguy

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Manitoba
What would you choose .204 Ruger, 223, 220 Swift or 22-250 ? Looking to have some fun and be able to shoot all day. Looking for some different opinions. I have also stumbled upon the 6MM BR as well. What I am really looking for is a low recoil fun to shoot and accurate to 300 yards or so rifle. I do reload so ammo cost is not a big factor. I am leaning toward the 220 swift only because my pops seems quite dead set on the Ruger .204. I have to be different lol.

Thx Guys/Gals
 
despyzedguy said:
What would you choose .204 Ruger, 223, 220 Swift or 22-250 ? Looking to have some fun and be able to shoot all day. Looking for some different opinions. I have also stumbled upon the 6MM BR as well. What I am really looking for is a low recoil fun to shoot and accurate to 300 yards or so rifle. I do reload so ammo cost is not a big factor. I am leaning toward the 220 swift only because my pops seems quite dead set on the Ruger .204. I have to be different lol.

Thx Guys/Gals
Click to expand...

A Savage in 6BR is easily your best choice. Your only decision is whether to go 8 twist so you can shoot really long range with the 115 grain low drag bullets, or use a 12 twist for a little better accuracy up to 300 yards, and be restricted to 80 grain or less bullets. You should get around 2500 rounds from the barrel. The Swift and 22-250 are not likely good for 1000 rounds. The .223 Rem is also a good cartridge and an easy second choice. However everyone has one, so nothing unique there.
 
Ron AKA said:
A Savage in 6BR is easily your best choice. Your only decision is whether to go 8 twist so you can shoot really long range with the 115 grain low drag bullets, or use a 12 twist for a little better accuracy up to 300 yards, and be restricted to 80 grain or less bullets. You should get around 2500 rounds from the barrel. The Swift and 22-250 are not likely good for 1000 rounds. The .223 Rem is also a good cartridge and an easy second choice. However everyone has one, so nothing unique there.
Click to expand...


Honestly I cannot say I would be shooting much more than 300 yards. I need to read up a bit more and understand how the twist rate affects things. That is why I post on here for some guidance :)
 
For a pure varmint caliber, considering all that I've read over the last several years...

I'd be looking real hard at the .204 Ruger. Sure is popular, and gets rave reviews consistently. And good out to the 300 yds you're talking about.

.220 Swift and .22-250, while both are hot as hell, if you do a lot of shooting are going to have you replacing the barrel in comparably short order.

.223 is always a safe bet.

With any of the .22 calibers, decide first on the size of bullets you intend to shoot relative to your intended game...larger grain for coyotes, or smaller for gophers and the like...and then make sure you get the twist rate that works best accordingly. Good subject to study up on before laying out your dough.
 
stubblejumper said:
With a range limit of 300 yards,the 223 would be my only choice.
Click to expand...

If the Oldman bought the .204 and I the .223 I guess we would have it covered. Some people I have talked to say the Swift is a fun cartridge. The 223 is very popular. Would be nice to have something a little different . I am not the greatest shot in Canada but I hold my own. This cartridge would be my Playtime round. I sure as heck can`t have the oldman making me look bad lol.
 
The 204 and 223 are great choices. The 204 has a point-blank range of almost 300 yards on a gopher, and definitely lives up to the hype (except for getting factory ammo in the spring). The 223 is not far off performance wise and gives you the greater selection of ammo and guns. You can't go wrong with either.
 
One big advantage of the .204, so I've read, is that there's virtually no recoil...especially if you've got yourself a heavy barreled varminter rig. This allows you to maintain sight on the target so you know where you're hitting, particularly at long range. There basically little, if any, barrel jump.

You definitely won't have this advantage...if you're competing with Dad...with the .220 Swift and .22-250.
 
The .223 ammo will be easier to find and cost less than the .220. The wind won't blow the bullet around as much as a .204 either. Mind you, the wind will blow a .223 bullet around too.
The only factory 6mm BR ammo and brass is from Norma and Lapua. Pricey stuff.
 
Since you reload take a look at a 22BR. I've shot 22-250's for 40 years but now that I've shot a BR I doubt that I'll ever go back. I read an article some time ago in Precision Shooting of a guy that went to 15,000 rounds before it totally gave out.
 
For 300 yards I would pick in this order, the 223, 6mmbr, 204 and 243. This is my personal order based what I like. They all work. Once over 300 yards I would take one of the 6mm calibers. The only reason I would not pick the 220 swift or the 22-250 is simply because they have no appeal to me personally. The world is your Lobster!
 
223 with a fast twist barrel 1/9 will work good with 75gr bullets, less wind drift than 204, and lots of energy compared to the 50gr, some makers offer the 1/7 twist then you can load the 80 & 90gr now you can go well past 300y and the 22/250,or the 22 br with slow twist and 55gr bullets won,t run with your 223, you can even try some F class AT 1000Y and you will have less wind drift that a .308 win shooting 155gr match |Sierras or Bergers
manitou
 
I divided my time between a 223 or 22 Hornet. However, I feel the 204 is a little more devasting on gophers. I confess that I don't own one, but have seen what it can do on numerous lazy Sundays.
 
All 4 choices ar good, swift brass can be hard to find sometimes. The 223 has an edge over 204 when it comes to bullet selection and barrel twist. It`s a tough call, go with what floats your boat and makes you smile when you pull the trigger.
 
my 223 has a 1 in 7 twist and i use it on coyotes out to 300 meters if im having a good day. my 22-250 is a faster round but then you have to worry about heat build up if you have quick multiple targets. me? id use the 223 for most days.
 
Ron AKA said:
A Savage in 6BR is easily your best choice. Your only decision is whether to go 8 twist so you can shoot really long range with the 115 grain low drag bullets, or use a 12 twist for a little better accuracy up to 300 yards, and be restricted to 80 grain or less bullets. You should get around 2500 rounds from the barrel. The Swift and 22-250 are not likely good for 1000 rounds. The .223 Rem is also a good cartridge and an easy second choice. However everyone has one, so nothing unique there.
Click to expand...

Got over 2000 rounds out of my swift and it still shoots good groups ??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom