What next?

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wetcoaster

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What next? Time to start researching the next gun, I am thinking a big bore or a varmint rig and am leaning toward the varmint rig even though I have never varmint hunted I figure I wouldn't mind trying it and would be great fun at the range? I moose hunt so a bigger thumper also makes good sense? What would you get next? If you can justify your choice within the other cartridges in that range it would be great but if you don't have the time or energy just give me your 2 cents.

I have to many rifles that accomplish the same job. I never get around to selling anything just buying them:D

I have a 7mm rem mag
.308 winchester
300 savage
two 303's
.22
 
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So far:

.223 = 1 1/2
.22-250 = 1/2
35 whelen = 1
375 hh = 2 1/2
45/70 = 1 1/2

(Tod Bartell split his vote thus the 1/2's)

Keep the opinions coming!!! Why the .223 over the 220 swift looking at the tables the swift has laser like velocity why don't you see it anymore?
 
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SuperCub said:
Those guys are all stunned ............... You need a 9.3! :dancingbanana:








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Click to expand...

I am with SuperCub on this one. :eek: :p
After that, you will need a 10.75 calibre.:dancingbanana:

Do you have a particular kind of rifle you are looking for? I guess with the varmint rig you might want it light, but maybe not for the long shots.
More details!

As for just talking the cartridge, for varmint/Deer/ Antelope, I really love the 6mm Remmy. My Nosler manual lists a 55gr Ballistic tip cruising at 4100 top speed. I can get 3000 with the 105gr pills, and very good groups.
My bride made a great shot on her Antelope with this rifle, I have shot three Deer with it and a Yote, it really gets the job done and the recoil is mild. Feeds nicer than either of the 243's I had, but this one is custom build.
It depends on what kind of varmint, ie: gopher or Coyote to determine ithat what your after. If it's just gophers and you like to reload that much, maybe a .223?

One the other end of the spectrum for the big bore is even bigger. You have a 7Rem Mag for some reach, why not go with a big step up to a heavy slug at a moderate speed, like already mentioned here.
Some things to consider:

Country to be used in, Moose are generally fairly close range, say within 250yards, more likely 80 yards so trajectory isn't too much an issue.

Weight of rifle: Again the terrain comes into play, maybe you want to go with iron sites, or a compact scope on a carbine?

Any particular style of rifle you are interested in?


Noel
 
Thanks for the opinions everybody I think you guys are right I need a big bore and a varmint rig and think I know what I should do to kill a whole bunch of these birds and firsts for me simultaneously.:cool:

I was reading the 45/70 conversions from LE .303 actions thread in the gunsmithing forum and considering I have two I never shoot I am going to look seriously into this. It would be something a little different than the average guy has and my first custom project gun. :dancingbanana: Watch for a future post on stock, trigger, barrel options etc. I will likely be seeking lots of advice as I have never attempted a project like this before.

Now for the varmint rig. I am thinking about a cheaper single shot in .223 or .22-250 that can serve both as my varmint rig and a training and hunting rifle for new shooters I take out (nephew, wife and my kids someday) plus I don't have a single shot yet. I was thinking the NEF handi rifle but am open to suggestions see my "opinions on NEF thread".

So what do ya all think?
 
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For the varmint rig check out a Ruger #1 (stainless, laminated stock) in .204 Ruger. Almost no recoil and supposed to shoot like a laser. The Thompson Encore/Contender are handy guns too with the potential to buy any caliber and barrel that suits your fancy down the road.

For the 45-70 if you could find a Browning 1885 Highwall you'd have a dandy rifle.
 
No gun collection is complete without a .375 H&H...or two or three...plenty shootable, accurate, just plain fun.

The super velocity varmint cartridges (.22-250, .220 Swift) are awesome fun, nothing wrong with them at all, but they're probably more gun than the casual varmint shooter needs.

If you get out a couple of times a year, and aren't taking e###treme long range shots, then the .223 (and .222, and .222 mag) are perfect. Zero recoil, very little blast compared to the fast .22s, and trajectory is plenty flat for gophers. I've owned all three, and the sensible choice is still the .223.

The .45-70 is great fun, but only if you don't expect to hit anything past about 100 yards. It's kinda like carrying around a huge burly east german shotputter, who will launch lead pumpkins at the targets of your choice. Come to think of it, I really miss my .45-70...
 
Westcoaster, I had a very similar selection of long guns as those that you listed. I got a .223 Rem. and has it ever been a lot of fun to shoot. Not many "varmits" here on Vancouver Island but it sure has been fun trying to shink groups of 10 down. It also helped that I lucked in to an almost brand new (less than 2 boxes of shells through it) Ruger M77 Varmit/Target model complete with a cheap but so far very adequate Tasco 4 X 20 scope for $500 !! I will get a big bore next but I know it won't be anywhere near as fun to shoot and will be much more costly to feed.
 
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