Which rifle for my scope?

Sharptail

Sharptail

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I have a Leupold VX-III 6.5X20 50 with the varmint reticle (Google it). I love the scope, and I like the reticle system. The problem is that I have moved the scope from one rifle to another, and finally come to the conclusion that I do not have a rifle that is appropriate to the features of the scope and the varmints I want to shoot. Time to add another rifle!

The goal is to shoot coyotes out to 400 yards (and maybe a little further, if I can learn to shoot that well). I question the suitability of the .223 Win. for coyotes at that range, and think that a little more bullet weight could be useful in the often windy environment where I want to shoot. Tell me if I am wrong.

The rifle will have to be packed in and out on foot, so I would like to limit the dry weight to 7 or 8 lbs. (rifle only). The plan is to shoot from a bipod, from a number of pre-selected positions (I know the area well). I could care less about the pelts, I just want dead coyotes.

The rifle will be used winter and summer, wet and dry, in all sorts of conditions. Stability of the stock and the rifle's ability to hold a zero in different climactic conditions is a concern.

Hand loading is expected, but I don't want to have to fire form or go to other lengths to make brass - readily available brass is a must. While I will obviously have to spend a bunch of time at the range with this rifle, I am not overly concerned about the price of ammo or components.

The choice of calibre is somewhat limited by the scope. The heaviest load deemed suitable in the manual is a 180 grain bullet in a .300 Win magnum, but I think the reticle system is happiest with lighter, faster bullets.

I would like the cost of the rifle to not exceed the value of the scope. Say $1,200.00 max.

What I don't know about rifles would fill volumes, so I thought I would put this question to the collective wisdom of the board: Given my criteria, which specific rifle / cartridge combination would you recommend I mount on my scope?

Thanks in advance for your input.


Sharptail
 
223AI (yes, I'm aware that you don't want to FF brass, but is more shooting ever a bad thing?), twisted 1-8", on a M700 action in a McMillan stock...Although your scope choice may over-weight an 8lb rifle and balance may be suspect.

I'd give a chunk rifle some consideration...20" Pacnor tube, in a varmint configuration in an A5 Stock comes to mind....The weight would likely come in North of 10lbs though.

Twisted 1-8 would give you a wide range of bullet options, from 40gr screamers at 3900ish fps, to very slippery wind bucking 75gr Amax's at 3100+ for long pokes....
 
So what do you have now that you find is not suitable?.223, 22-250, 243/6mm, 308. Get whatever cartridge you will be comfortable shooting, If you already have one of the popular calibers in your arsenal, then buy another and save the money from different reloading components. Remington, Savage, whatever else you prefer. They are still factory rifles and still be hit or miss. Get a 20-22" barreled rifle in the caliber you choose and you will be good to go.
 
Budweiser360 said:
So what do you have now that you find is not suitable?
Click to expand...

I have a Savage BVSS - S in .223. With its 1:9 twist I find it effective out to 300+ yards, not 400+ (could be just me?). There is a Blaser with 22/250 and .243 barrels, but it is too light and looks (and feels) silly with the big scope and bipod. My other rifles are also inappropriate.

A built up rifle would be nice, but could it be done within my budget? Is $1,200 a reasonable budget for what I want?

I suppose that simple fire forming would be OK, but would still prefer to stick to available brass.


Sharptail
 
I've never used or owned that particular scope, but I would pick a savage/remington 700 action (whichever you prefer), medium weight 22" barrel chambered for .243,6mm rem or .2506, and put it in a decent synthetic stock. The savage model 10 predator hunter (.243win) in a nicer stock would fit the bill if you just wanna go out and buy something.
 
Done within your budget? Probably. $600 for the McSwirly, or less if one comes up on the exchange somewhere, and $500 for a Rem 700 sps used in 223, and it should be less than $100 for the AI treatment....Bed it yourself, and voila....

Alternatively, (I guess) you could source another savage barrel in 223 and have it punched AI and twisted even fast, 1-7" and run 90gr bullets.....
 
I would suggest a new barrel and not a new rifle. A match grade barrel will cost much less than a whole new rifle, plus there is a 99.9% chance that it will shoot beautifully. Out to 400yds is no problem for a .223. Get a new barrel with a 1:7 or 1:8 twist and you will be good to go. Push some 80grn Berger's, Amax's or SMK's as fast as you can out of a 22" barreled rifle will be a real nice, cheap alternative to a whole new rifle that will not deliver the accuracy a built rifle will. The BVSS stock is good to go, just make sure you have a good bedding job and go kill some 'yotes...
 
Hmmmn, re-barreling the Savage is an option I have not considered. It makes some sense. Who in Canada supplies match grade barrels for the Savage?

To be honest I was originally thinking of a larger calibre, such as a .308 or 7mm, for the job. If the general thinking is that a .223 or .223 AI pushing 80 to 90 grain bullets is up to the task of 400 yard plus coyotes then the idea of a really nice barrel on the Savage is very appealing. Plus, it would leave me with a superfluous Burris scope which could help offset the cost of the project (if I sold it).


Sharptail
 
Contact Mysticplayer here on the boards for your Savage barrel requirements. He is a supplier of such things and one of the "gurus" for long range shooting information. He can make your project happen.
 
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