How would you build a long range varmint rifle?

The more I read all this information, I think I should upgrade my scope, maybe drop in a timney trigger, and shoot what I have.

Any comment on the older 6-18x Redfield scopes? I think I have a 4-12 too
 
Narragansett said:
How would you put together a budget varmint rifle?
Click to expand...

Are you serious Pete? Build?? Just buy a Rem 700 in .22-250. This fits "budget" about as well as you will find. If you can settle for 300 yards then .223 will do it. Older off-the-rack Model 700s generally will shoot as well as many "custom" rifles that aren't even close to budget friendly.
 
Last edited:
Narragansett said:
The more I read all this information, I think I should upgrade my scope, maybe drop in a timney trigger, and shoot what I have.

Any comment on the older 6-18x Redfield scopes? I think I have a 4-12 too
Click to expand...

If you're 22-250 shows acceptable accuracy, I'd probably just stick an acceptable scope on it and do just that. Personally, while not a target trigger, you can normally work a M77 trigger to a decent varmint hunting trigger. I'd avoid the expense of adding an aftermarket trigger. Once the 22-250 stops meeting your accuracy expectations, you can then start you're hunt for a new rifle.

You can certainly load lighter bullets the 270 you mentioned, but a standard 270 twist might not stabilize the lighter bullets too well.

Those older Redfields will certainly still do the job. You'll get better optics on quality newer scopes, but scope brands are often like rifle brands. "The brand I use is the best". I'm a big fan of Leupolds and their warranty. I've also had excellent luck with Bushnell Elites. There's a lot of good options. I've never had to use the Leupold warranty, but have Vortex, Bushnell, and Burris and all three stood behind their products.
 
LVSteve said:
Remember, that for accuracy the components of the complete system must work to maximum capacity, firearm, ammo, optic, and the nut behind the butt. :) There are several, reasonably priced modern rifles out there that shoot very well with the right ammo. Some of the basic Savage rifles have shown remarkable consistency. Google the rifle reviews in the NRA publications.
Click to expand...
I suggest you look at what Savage has.
 
Do varmint guns have to be bolt guns?

I have an AR15A4 20in 223wylde 1:8 HBAR that will pop p-dogs out to 400+ yards. I think it'll pop p-dogs further out if I had better glass. I'm just running a 10x42 SuperSniper scope. It seems to like plain old m855.

I have less than a $1000 in it. The scope was $250 used and the upper was, I think $400, I bought from a friend. Everything else was picked up at gunshows and online.

Works for me.
 
If I wanted a reliable 500 yard rifle for prairie dogs, my choice would a good used Remington 700 or older Ruger M77 in 270 or 280, acquire a composite stock, bed it in, then ensure a good trigger and glass. Both cartridges have the needed reach with 90-120 grain bullets. Recoil isn't that bad, and most rifles in these calibers, even older ones, haven't been shot much.

I used a '79 Ruger M77 in 270 on 'dogs (and deer and elk) for a decade, connecting reliably on dogs from a rest on my pickup cab at 350-450 yards when I did my part. The glass wasn't really up to the distance - it was a Leupold 2x-7x. More magnification was all the rifle needed for 500 yard reliability. I've had a couple of Remington 700s in 280 and 270 that were as good, but I finally sold out when 'dog shooting wasn't as available and stayed with 35 Whelen for big game.
 
Last edited:
If you go to a long action that will handle things like the 270, think about the 25-06. It seems to have fell out of favor, but it is a flat shooting, fairly low recoil round. It shoot flatter than the current golden child, the 6.5 Creedmoor

It can launch a 117 gr bullet at 3100fps that is still going 2000fps at 500yds with 35" of drop from 200 yds and has 16" of wind drift at 10mph.

The Creedmoor has 44" of drop and the same wind drift.

My step dad, the guy who really educated me on guns and reloading always wanted to build a 6.5-06 and launch those long high ballistic coefficient bullets at high speeds. It doesn't launch the same weight bullets as quite as fast as the 270 will, but a 6.5 bullet will have a better BC than the same weight 270. There are lots of 6.5 bullets from 123gr up to 150 gr with BCs from .500 to .700. Not so for the 270 as it is kind of a stand alone cartridge viewed as a hunting round, not a target or varmint round
 
Last edited:
Imissedagain said:
For a solid 500 yard rifle, I'd go to something more than the 223/5.56. Most likely a larger caliber.

25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, just to name two.
When I need a new barrel on the old No.1V/223, 1:12,
I'll most likely up the caliber. Always wanted a 25-06, but the 6.5s are interesting.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%. I was gifted a Rem 700 long action (was a .270) that someone had rusted the barrel by hanging a wet washcloth on it (no kidding). Had it re-barreled to .25-06 and accurized, added a 6x-14x Leupold scope, and it stacks bullets in the same hole at 100 yds. I have taken prairie dogs out to 400 yds (403 with range finder). Great rifle.

51636195011_773d182773_c.jpg
 
where is the 500 yard shot??

Sheesh Pete, There isn't anywhere in Rhode Island that even has 500 yards of open space, and Savannah can't be much better, so are you planning a "prairie dog safari" somewhere out west?

Back in May I found a replacement for one of my "youth" guns that was a varmint killer anywhere from 75 to 200 yards when I was a teenager with decent eyes. My real youth gun was a Savage 340 (1962) with iron sights in 22 Hornet, and the replacement I found last May is a Savage 340E (1974) also in 22 Hornet, but with a Tasco 3 to 9 x32. I know cheap scope but the early Jap glass was decent enough quality and it still performs decent for me.

VERY "low budget" rigs but do get the job done, still a lot of fun and the range use has reduced size (200 yard) targets placed at 100 yards so we can shoot and zero and compete with our M1 Garands.

sounds to me like you already have not only 1, but 2 rigs already to go for varmints or paper whichever you are chasing while down south...
 

Attachments

  • Savage 22 Hornet.jpg
    Savage 22 Hornet.jpg
    11.7 KB · Views: 3
  • Savage Hornet left.jpg
    Savage Hornet left.jpg
    78.5 KB · Views: 4
  • Savage Hornet right.jpg
    Savage Hornet right.jpg
    77.9 KB · Views: 4
  • Tasco scope 1.jpg
    Tasco scope 1.jpg
    58.9 KB · Views: 3
  • Tasco scope 2.jpg
    Tasco scope 2.jpg
    69.3 KB · Views: 3
cmansguns said:
Sheesh Pete, There isn't anywhere in Rhode Island that even has 500 yards of open space, and Savannah can't be much better, so are you planning a "prairie dog safari" somewhere out west?

Back in May I found a replacement for one of my "youth" guns that was a varmint killer anywhere from 75 to 200 yards when I was a teenager with decent eyes. My real youth gun was a Savage 340 (1962) with iron sights in 22 Hornet, and the replacement I found last May is a Savage 340E (1974) also in 22 Hornet, but with a Tasco 3 to 9 x32. I know cheap scope but the early Jap glass was decent enough quality and it still performs decent for me.

VERY "low budget" rigs but do get the job done, still a lot of fun and the range use has reduced size (200 yard) targets placed at 100 yards so we can shoot and zero and compete with our M1 Garands.

sounds to me like you already have not only 1, but 2 rigs already to go for varmints or paper whichever you are chasing while down south...
Click to expand...

Charlie, I was thinking about a trip Northwest to try prairie dogs. Also, the club I am getting into soon has a 500 yard range. What I have is good, but from time to time, I get the bug:eek::D
 
Narragansett said:
The more I read all this information, I think I should upgrade my scope, maybe drop in a timney trigger, and shoot what I have.

Any comment on the older 6-18x Redfield scopes? I think I have a 4-12 too
Click to expand...

I had a 6x18 Redfield, POC back around 1980. If I sighted it in on one power it would shoot different if I changed powers. I do not have that issue with Leupolds.
 
Narragansett said:
The more I read all this information, I think I should upgrade my scope, maybe drop in a timney trigger, and shoot what I have.

Any comment on the older 6-18x Redfield scopes? I think I have a 4-12 too
Click to expand...

I bought a Timney back in the last century and haven't been thrilled with it (not a Remington). One of these days I'll reinstall the factory trigger. If Shilen has solved their parts sourcing issue, they're worth a look. I dropped Shilen for Trigger Tech 2 stage triggers. You can frequently find their products on sale.
 
Start with the scope first, seeing tiny critters way out there is difficult and very tiring on your eye. One scope I actually love for long range is an older Leupold VX II 6-18X with 50 mm, adjustable objective lense and the AO lense is very important at longer ranges and helps with mirage and proper parallax focus.
 
Last edited:
diyj98 said:
270 Winchester strikes as a bit much bit of a varmint cartridge, but I’ve been guilty of varmint hunting with a 308 so I guess I can’t throw stones. :)
Click to expand...
The .270 with light bullets is a very capable varmint rifle. Way back when, I used a sporterized M98 Mauser with light 8mm bullets for groundhog. It worked fine. Sorry I sold that rifle.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Narragansett
Bergara 22 Rifles
2 3
Replies
41
Views
1K
reddogs
R
H
Took a couple of Springfield Rifles to the Range
Replies
17
Views
1K
AJ
AJ
W
Which Shiloh Sharps rifle would YOU choose?
2
Replies
21
Views
2K
Ivan the Butcher
I
I
Dilemma: Favorite Gun
2 3
Replies
51
Views
2K
Darkenfast
D
TJm15.38
At the range with my Anderson AM-15 2019 build
Replies
0
Views
249
TJm15.38
TJm15.38

Latest posts

Back
Top