"walking varminter"

[220Swifty]

With coyote season upon us, i have been pondering this a bit, and with my last custom near finished, i need something else to occupy my mind. I like the idea of the model seven predator, and the now defunct 700 LVSF, but want something a bit more personal.

I was originally infatuated with ultra speed like a 22-250 AI or a 22-243, but realise that barrel length required for the full benefit of the rifle will effect the handling characteristics of it. This has brought the 223 AI into the fray.

Thoughts?

 

[Glock4ever]

My view on the perfect walking varminter would depend on the what I was shooting:

Coyotes - CZ 527 American 223 Rem or 204 Ruger. Reason - lots of range and excellent carry weight. The rifle is very well designed and just all around really nice.

Gophers/Groundhogs - A 77/22 Hornet for range and the ability to shoot long strings without overheating the barrel. I also would have a 22LR available to let the hornet cool down.

What are you planning to shoot?

 

[DOUGLAS D]

I voted .223 AI as well but all else being equal I'm not so sure I'd go to the trouble of an Ackley when the factory round does a pretty fair job all on its own.

 

[colt45cz75]

CZ 527 in 223.

 

[220Swifty]

Coyotes, and i am after something at least semi-custom, which in my mind means a wildcat chambering

 

[Why not?]

My 22 inch sporter-weight 223 AI drives 40 gr Ballistic Tips more than 3900 fps, 75 rg A-Maxes a tad over 3000 fps, and both bullets into an inch.

No much missing there.

Ted

 

[SuperCub]

Either/or on the std. 22/250 or 223AI. If you need more than that, just buy a 243.

I went with a reg sporter contour on my 22/250. That`s lots of bbl. and with a full size scope, it's heavy enough for walking around hunting. I actually bought a factory stainless 223 bbl and had it rechambered to 22/250 onto a 700 action. Pretty good rig, actually.

.

 

[mpwolf]

I'd not hesitate to go w/ a 22" 1-8" .22-250 AI. I wouldn't bother w/ a SAIMI .22-250 if the .223AI is an option. Performance is too close, w/ much better barrel life and 10grs less powder to do it.

my current one is a short shanked #3 Rock 1-8" .223AI sitting in a Ti SAUM stock. 8lbs all up w/ 3.5-10 leupold in Talleys, and balances on the front screw.

 

[Glock4ever]

You can AI the CZ527 in 223.

 

[Pathfinder]

Middlestead for no other reason than coolness factor. If you're not going to use it as a gopher gun the barrel should last a while.....in 1 7" twist you can load up heavy bullets and whack coyotes wayyy out there.

 

[tjhaile]

My CZ 527 Varmint in .223 has a heavy barrel, yet is light enough to walk around with at 8.4 lbs scoped. The weight isn't much different from a standard action length rifle with a sporter contour barrel.

 

[BigUglyMan]

22-250. No need to go AI unless you've been drinking too much 24HourCampfire kool-aid. If that's the case you'll need a Edge McSwirley to go with it.

 

[Why not?]

So true...........

 

[Camp Cook]

Your title confuses me a bit you state walking varminter in the title then proceed to give a poll for heavier barreled rifles so my pick from your poll is none of the above as far as I am concerned all 3 are too heavy to be called walking varminter rifles

I have 2 what I would call walking predator rifles first is my T/C Contender carbine with a 21" factory tapered barrel in 223 and a 23" bull barrel in 204 Ruger both will reach out to 300 yards with amazing accuracy but my main go too walking rifle is my factory stock 22" barreled Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 22-250 55gr Ballistic Tips @ 3660fps reaches out and gets the job done every time I do my part.

 

[Redhouse]

Not in the poll, but any thoughts of a 6BR? I would also concur with Cookie in that a true sporter profile is more conducive to a walking gun. Not like you're likely to be shooting long strings with any of the calibers listed, so barrel heat (beyond load dev) shouldn't (?) be an issue.

 

[dan belisle]

I have all of the calibers you mentioned, and wouldn't pick any of the rifles you named as a walking varminter. The rifle I most use for walking about looking for varmints is a Rem 600 in 222 Rem. Light, easy to carry, very accurate. The key word in this topic is walking. Unless you enjoy packing a 12 pound or heavier varmint rifle around, then go ahead and knock your socks off. - dan

 

[Camp Cook]

I had a 26" barreled Rem 700P and a Ruger Mini 14 Target both in 223 used them for coyote hunting would strap on my snowshoes and head in to the bush.

After a couple of trips I sold both the rifles and will never own/carry anything that heavy again...

 

[lclund1946]

Sako 75, 20 EXTREME

I have this Sako 75 coming soon. Kreiger 3, 1-12 TWIST, 24' barrel with McMillan Hunter stock. I can't walk so the new owner will have the ultimate " Walkabout Varmint Gun".

Will hopefully shoot as good as my CZ 527

[/IMG]

 

[220Swifty]

Your title confuses me a bit you state walking varminter in the title then proceed to give a poll for heavier barreled rifles so my pick from your poll is none of the above as far as I am concerned all 3 are too heavy to be called walking varminter rifles

My regular varminter is a 24" savage 110 in 223, with a heavy varmint barrel and a 8-40x56mm on top. It is easily a 15 lb gun. I like the weight for settling down on the bipod and poking a gopher at 300 yds, and like it for shooting at coyotes because there is no recoil to come out of, and you can self spot through your scope.

That being said, it is a pain in the ass to carry in the snow we often encounter in coyote hunting, and is not as easily swung on a running coyote, which the second one is usually doing. I have a t-3 lite in 22-250 that is a beauty to pack, and is nice in the eberlestock when i am walking with a bow as my primary hunting implement, but i prefer a bit more weight in a primary coyote gun, that will see some time as a gopher gun in the summer.

My target weight is around 9 or 10 lbs, hence the slightly heavier tube. I have long legs and broad shoulders, the 2 lbs wont bother me much.

Hope that clears up your confusion

 

[Dogleg]

I've got a Middlested, and if I were to do it again I'd likely go for a straight 22/243 with a no turn neck. The chances of haveing quality ammo right out of the gate are better when fireforming isn't part of the program, and not giving up barrel life to the fireforming gods is a real consideration.
The 22/243 variations are more coyote gun than the 22/250 ever dreamed of being, and flat out laughs at wind in the heavier bullet weights.