I've settled on the varmint caliber of 22-250 but am still tossing around which rifle to purchase and yes $ does matter. With that being said the Savage Axis is attractive but would like your opinion. You guys please suggest other options.
varmint rifle favs
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The correct caliber is .223 Remington. There is a huge quantity of once fired brass, 1:9 or 1:8 twist barrel stabilizes 50 to 55 grain bullets. Your target is just as dead at 3,200 fps as 3,700 fps, but your barrel lasts a whole lot longer.
A Leupold 12X x 40 MM is a great optic that gives good performance in early morning and early evening light. You can't shoot at what you can't see. Magnification higher than 12X has a very shaky image because of your heart beat.
My two buddies didn't do any better in the prairie dog patch with their 22-250 rifles than I did with my .223 Remington. The wind pushes everybody's bullets all over. All of our rifles from the late 1980's to the early 1990's have been rebarreled to 223 Rem.
A Leupold 12X x 40 MM is a great optic that gives good performance in early morning and early evening light. You can't shoot at what you can't see. Magnification higher than 12X has a very shaky image because of your heart beat.
My two buddies didn't do any better in the prairie dog patch with their 22-250 rifles than I did with my .223 Remington. The wind pushes everybody's bullets all over. All of our rifles from the late 1980's to the early 1990's have been rebarreled to 223 Rem.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I am no expert but I once had a 22-250 in a 788 Remington that was the most accurate rifle I owned. It was cheap too but I haven't owned all calibers and rifles.
I have a Ruger bull barreled 223 and really like it with a 6x18 Redfield. Sweet shooting after a little bit of trigger work. Have to be better at ranges and ballistics than a 22-250, but for most varmints there is time for a range finder. I like the 223 because I can buy 500 rounds at ammo manufacturing plant near my brothers cheap, plus reloading is also inexpensive and in my youth I picked up thousands of bullets when manufactures discontinued certain bullets. I still have boxes of 100 marked under $3.
I also have a Ruger with a McGowan 26" premium grade bull barrel and a Canjur trigger also topped with a 6X18. Went with that barrel caliber after shooting out the original 220 Swift barrel. The 6mm Remington is a dieing round commercially but a bit better than the 243. Now days their are quite a few 6mm wildcats and semi wild cats. The 6mm bullets have a better ballistic co. than most 224 bullets and are better with a bit of wind. Recoil is mild especially with a heavier gun. Bit more expensive to reload though
I also have a Ruger with a McGowan 26" premium grade bull barrel and a Canjur trigger also topped with a 6X18. Went with that barrel caliber after shooting out the original 220 Swift barrel. The 6mm Remington is a dieing round commercially but a bit better than the 243. Now days their are quite a few 6mm wildcats and semi wild cats. The 6mm bullets have a better ballistic co. than most 224 bullets and are better with a bit of wind. Recoil is mild especially with a heavier gun. Bit more expensive to reload though
ColbyBruce
Member
A .22/250 is like the hand of God. I am a big fan, and currently own two Remington 700's in this caliber. I have a ADL Sporter in a laminated stock and a BDL Varmint. I also have a BDL Varmint in .223, and two CZ 527's in .223. The .22/250's go out the door more often that the .223 rifles.
All of them shoot about the same out to 300 yards but the .22/250's get there much faster.
All of them shoot about the same out to 300 yards but the .22/250's get there much faster.
crazyponie
Member
Favorite would have to be the .220 swift. However what I use more often than not, .223. And yes, I do see the difference when the bullet hits. The .223 is a strung out ground hog, when the swift hits a dog at the same distance I usualy just see a red mist.
A 1:8 Twist will stabilize up to an 80 grain .223 bullet.
The .22-250 is a very good caliber. I really like Savage firearms and your choice is a good one.
Damn Yankee
Member
I have had good luck with the Ruger 77V 26 inch bull barrel in 220 Swift. Made some great shots with the 12 Power Leopold on top. Glass bedded the action and lighten the trigger. Kept the reloads down around 3500 fps.
Talk about reaching out there and touching something.
Talk about reaching out there and touching something.
hangnoose
Member
TEVER YOU CHOOSE, GET A BULL BARREL
I have 2 rifles on either end of the $ spectrum, a 1978 Remington 40x (not the bull bbl) and a pre Remington H&R varmintmaster with a bull bbl , both in 223. Yes the triggers and barrel polishing are worlds apart, but after a dozen or so shots the H&R is just hitting it's stride while the 40x needs to cool off and be swabbed out. You could save a lot of $ to go towards good glass with a lesser expensive single shot, that with a little work will shoot great. I am also very fond of the 22 mags. Do any busy PD shooters only bring 1 gun?
I have 2 rifles on either end of the $ spectrum, a 1978 Remington 40x (not the bull bbl) and a pre Remington H&R varmintmaster with a bull bbl , both in 223. Yes the triggers and barrel polishing are worlds apart, but after a dozen or so shots the H&R is just hitting it's stride while the 40x needs to cool off and be swabbed out. You could save a lot of $ to go towards good glass with a lesser expensive single shot, that with a little work will shoot great. I am also very fond of the 22 mags. Do any busy PD shooters only bring 1 gun?
birdshooter
Member
Take a strong look at the .204 Ruger. Shoots like a laser beam. I use mine mostly for prairie dogs. I really like my CZ 527 Varmint.
Edit: I misread and thought you already had a .22-250 and were looking for something else. Feel free to delete this post if you wish.
Edit: I misread and thought you already had a .22-250 and were looking for something else. Feel free to delete this post if you wish.
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I am not much of a varmint shooter myself but I used to know a wise old fellow who was. When he would go west hunting he always took two .222s and one .220 Swift. He did most of his shooting with the .222s, alternating them to try not to get them too hot. Much beyond 250-275 yards he would switch to the Swift, and his shooting necessarily had to slow down. He had no interest in the .223. He tended to use heavier bullets, 55 SXs in the .222s and 60s in the Swift.
His rifles were always heavy barreled Model 70s. I think he owned one Remington 700 in all the years I knew him - a "backup" for his .220 Model 70. Scopes were in the 12x range or higher. He did not like 10x on his varmint rifles.
He probably went through more .222s in one western trip than I fired here in Indiana in a decade. He was a very cagey rifleman. I learned a lot just listening to him.
His rifles were always heavy barreled Model 70s. I think he owned one Remington 700 in all the years I knew him - a "backup" for his .220 Model 70. Scopes were in the 12x range or higher. He did not like 10x on his varmint rifles.
He probably went through more .222s in one western trip than I fired here in Indiana in a decade. He was a very cagey rifleman. I learned a lot just listening to him.
Bob R
US Veteran
Well, maybe more like one of the fingers on the hand of God, the 220 Swift.
I don't think you will go wrong with Ruger or Savage. My 22-250 is a Remington 700, my 220 Swift is a Ruger M77 Mk I and my 243 is a Savage. They all shoot well, the Ruger the best, then it is a toss up between the Remington and Savage. The Rem takes the edge in group size but the 243 behaves better in the wind.
bob
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I have a interesting rifle that I need to get out and work with again. Its a very low number 1st year Winchester 70 in .22 hornet. Or so I thought. I bought it cheap almost 40 years ago. I took it out and found out it was blew out to K-hornet. I went and bought the K hornet dies etc. Supposedly the model 70 came out in 1937. If I recall right mine is date stamped under the barrel under the stock as 1935. I believe it might have been a early prototype where winchester used a left over hornet barrel from the model 54. It takes the smaller .22 bullet rather than the later slightly larger bullet for the hornet. I did write to winchester about it but got a generic letter just saying mine was made in 1937. Now I am getting the hots writing about it to wring it out again. The gun does have some customizing done to it, its been drilled for a scope and someone before me added a pad for LOP but it fits me. Whatcha think?
David R
Member
I have both 22-250 and a couple 223.
TC contender in 223. Good little gun, vertical stringing is possible as it heats up.
Remington 700 VL (Varmint Laminated Bull Barrel) Great 22-250. Sits in the safe a lot, its almost too nice to bring out. I have shot offhand rifle matches with this one for the last few years. Its a great shooter.
Savage model 25 Lightweight Varminter. 8.5 lbs with thumbhole stock before I put the scope on it. 223, not 5.56.
The Savage is a great gun. The bolt works with one finger, no problems with the gun. Trigger is an accutrigger. I adjusted it all the way down as soon as I bought the gun. Its at 32 oz with no gunsmithing. Far better than the Remington.
I bought the 223 because ammo and component availability. Right now my reloading setup is out of use, so I am buying ammo for 1/2 the cost of 22-250.
Most of my shooting is 100 or 200 yards offhand with the occasional 300 shot. 223 is fine for all that.
I shoot an offhand rifle match every saturday morning. Both rifles do well except if I use the savage then the remington and realize how much the trigger in the remington sucks. 100 or 200 yards shooting at paper, it makes no difference how fast the bullet is going.
223 takes 21 to 26 grains powder. 22-250 takes almost 40 grains.
I am buying Hornady 55 gr FMJ or 55 gr SP 500 for $49.00. That is the same as I buy bullets for my 45 ACP.
Right now I am shooting the savage (223) once or twice a week. The remington sits in the safe.
In an earlier life, I had a Savage model 110 in 7mm mag. I shot chucks with that and hunted deer. In a few years the rifling was eroded 1/2 way up the barrel and I sold the gun. 115 gr @ 3500 makes a chuck turn to pink mist. I don't miss that gun at all. It kicked the stuffing out of me.
Savage Model 25 LVT
David
TC contender in 223. Good little gun, vertical stringing is possible as it heats up.
Remington 700 VL (Varmint Laminated Bull Barrel) Great 22-250. Sits in the safe a lot, its almost too nice to bring out. I have shot offhand rifle matches with this one for the last few years. Its a great shooter.
Savage model 25 Lightweight Varminter. 8.5 lbs with thumbhole stock before I put the scope on it. 223, not 5.56.
The Savage is a great gun. The bolt works with one finger, no problems with the gun. Trigger is an accutrigger. I adjusted it all the way down as soon as I bought the gun. Its at 32 oz with no gunsmithing. Far better than the Remington.
I bought the 223 because ammo and component availability. Right now my reloading setup is out of use, so I am buying ammo for 1/2 the cost of 22-250.
Most of my shooting is 100 or 200 yards offhand with the occasional 300 shot. 223 is fine for all that.
I shoot an offhand rifle match every saturday morning. Both rifles do well except if I use the savage then the remington and realize how much the trigger in the remington sucks. 100 or 200 yards shooting at paper, it makes no difference how fast the bullet is going.
223 takes 21 to 26 grains powder. 22-250 takes almost 40 grains.
I am buying Hornady 55 gr FMJ or 55 gr SP 500 for $49.00. That is the same as I buy bullets for my 45 ACP.
Right now I am shooting the savage (223) once or twice a week. The remington sits in the safe.
In an earlier life, I had a Savage model 110 in 7mm mag. I shot chucks with that and hunted deer. In a few years the rifling was eroded 1/2 way up the barrel and I sold the gun. 115 gr @ 3500 makes a chuck turn to pink mist. I don't miss that gun at all. It kicked the stuffing out of me.
Savage Model 25 LVT
David
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ErnieDeBord
Member
Handloading & Varmint rifles go hand in hand. My choice is Remington, for many reasons. I have had,shot and loaded for quite a few nice Varmint rifles in my 60 yrs. Don't know about the volume of shooting you want to do at each outing, Heat can be a MAJOR factor. Any of the popular calibers work fine. I don't varmint shoot much where I live at nowdays. If I was I would chose a Remmy Heavy barrel in 243, The Leuie 12 target (with dot) is a whale of a scope for the money. I like a 6.5x20 EFR (again with dot) better, but you stated being on a budget, I just sold a as NIB 12x to a member here, loved it. It was on a rimfire, but shooting targets the size of a pinhead, I need more power. I get just as much or more enjoyment loading my own ammo, very relaxing. Regards Ernie
Brian41
Member
I have a couple Remington 700 BDL Varmints in .223 and .308. The .223 has a Rifle Basix trigger and a worthwhile upgrade I would like to do with the .308.
I've shot the .223 out to 500 yards with good results and factory ammo.
I picked the Remingtons as my first deer rifle was a Rem 700 BDL Sporter in 30.06 and comfortable with that model. I've also picked up one in 25.06.
My Varmints have Weaver and Leupold scopes on them and can't pick a favorite between the two.
I'm just a casual shooter with them and picked those calibers as to not add anything new. I don't reload for rifle ammo yet and factory ammo is available many places for them.
I've shot the .223 out to 500 yards with good results and factory ammo.
I picked the Remingtons as my first deer rifle was a Rem 700 BDL Sporter in 30.06 and comfortable with that model. I've also picked up one in 25.06.
My Varmints have Weaver and Leupold scopes on them and can't pick a favorite between the two.
I'm just a casual shooter with them and picked those calibers as to not add anything new. I don't reload for rifle ammo yet and factory ammo is available many places for them.
I haven't hunted woodchucks for a long time, but I still have the technology!
This is maybe the ultimate chuck rifle-- It's PAS benchrest action, left-hand bolt and right ejection port--for prone shooting-- single shot, Hart 28" heavy .220 Swift barrel, 'glass stock, Canjar trigger, Harris bipod, Leupold 24X Target scope.
It has accounted for MANY chucks at long range!
This is maybe the ultimate chuck rifle-- It's PAS benchrest action, left-hand bolt and right ejection port--for prone shooting-- single shot, Hart 28" heavy .220 Swift barrel, 'glass stock, Canjar trigger, Harris bipod, Leupold 24X Target scope.
It has accounted for MANY chucks at long range!
ErnieDeBord
Member
Old Pic ( Man I look sad in it ), anyway..Remington 40x in 220 Swift. I bought it new, put a new Leupold 6.5x20 EFR on it. It has only 90 CAREFUL..break-in, sight-in fireform rounds thru it. It hasn't been fired in about 10 years or so. I guess its just a "safe queen". Man its one heck of a Varmint Rifle. Regards
dkizer22
Member
For large varmints (coyote) the 243 is far above the 223. With the correct bullets, coyotes are DRT (Dead Right There). Small critters, a 223 or a 22-250 will do the job. The 223 falls behind the 22-250 only for shots over 300 yards. Cost of ammo or reloading goes to the 223 easily. In an AR platform, two pins can change a light weight carbine to a heavy barrel varmint gun.
It kinda depends on how you will be using it, I was leaning towards a heavy barrel 22-250 with a 20X variable scope, but if you have to carry it around, the bull barrel guns get HEAVY. Also you need to spend some really big money on a scope if you are going high magnification or it just won't be clear enough. I ended up with a Weatherby Vanguard .223 standard barrel with a Leupold VXI 4-12X scope, and the gun was $400 bucks and the scope and Leupold mounts were about $300. The factory test target had a 3 shot 3/4" group, and I could equal that with Remington 50 round value pack ammo. It was heavy enough to be steady but also fine for walking around and looking for "targets of opportunity" like coyotes, skunks, crows, armadillos, etc.
I have 2 22-250's, both are Remington VS heavy barrels. One has been shot enough it has now been re-barreled with a stainless Douglas (in 22-250) with a 1 in 9 twist. I have a 6.5 to 20 Nikon Monarch with fine crosshair and dot on one and a Luepold 6-18 on the other The Luepold has a custom elevation turret made up for the particular load I use, so I can dial in the distance right off my range finder and not worry about hold over. I have been making the trek to So Dakota for over ten years now and enjoy making the shots out to about 500 yards. I did have a Savage Heavy barrel in .243 for a few years with the intention of using the heavier caliber for longer range shots. Unfortunately my 73 year old eye's are keeping me down to about 500 yards so I sold the Savage. I will tell you that I was impressed by both the trigger and the accuracy of the Savage. You will probably want the "lighter" trigger. I had the standard that goes down to 1.5 lbs. With the 22-250 be sure to try Nosler bullets, and Varget powder with Fed 210M primers.
klausinak
US Veteran
OP-
If you're not hunting for fur, there is nothing wrong with your caliber choice; .22-250 is just too fast not to blow really big holes in pelts. As to make/configuration of the rifle, that's dependent on how you hunt. If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, don't get the bull barrel. My varmint hunting is for fur, and involves a lot of walking; I run an old 700 ADL in .222. As far as the make of rifle goes, everything you've mentioned is good, it'll come down to which one has the bells & whistles you desire, coupled with a price you can live with.
Just my .02
-Klaus
If you're not hunting for fur, there is nothing wrong with your caliber choice; .22-250 is just too fast not to blow really big holes in pelts. As to make/configuration of the rifle, that's dependent on how you hunt. If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, don't get the bull barrel. My varmint hunting is for fur, and involves a lot of walking; I run an old 700 ADL in .222. As far as the make of rifle goes, everything you've mentioned is good, it'll come down to which one has the bells & whistles you desire, coupled with a price you can live with.
Just my .02
-Klaus
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I have a Ruger 77 in .220 Swift that is very accurate. I only have a 300 yd rifle range available to me, and it groups pretty well. I imagine the spread is shooter-induced.
Unfortunately, I don't get into many ground-battles with varmints, so the 20x scope is kinda wasted.
Having tried the accu-trigger on my Savage Scout, I'd be tempted to try the Savage varmint rifle for a long range shot. That trigger is tremendous.
Unfortunately, I don't get into many ground-battles with varmints, so the 20x scope is kinda wasted.
Having tried the accu-trigger on my Savage Scout, I'd be tempted to try the Savage varmint rifle for a long range shot. That trigger is tremendous.
I have 3 CZ 527s ........ IMHO they are the best bang for the buck on the market.....mini mauser action sized nicely for .223 size cartridges.... good to "GREAT" wood.
I have a FS/mannlicher with a 1-4x20 Leupold scope for "walking in Penn's Woods" (10-150yds)
and an 3-9x40 scoped American Model for shooting across the fields...LOL...... available in 1:9 and 1:12 twists.
The third was just too good a used deal to pass up.
CZ has some great understudies in rimfires...... models 452/53/55 from .22lr,.22mag and .17HMR... on micro-mauser actions.
I have a FS/mannlicher with a 1-4x20 Leupold scope for "walking in Penn's Woods" (10-150yds)
and an 3-9x40 scoped American Model for shooting across the fields...LOL...... available in 1:9 and 1:12 twists.
The third was just too good a used deal to pass up.
CZ has some great understudies in rimfires...... models 452/53/55 from .22lr,.22mag and .17HMR... on micro-mauser actions.
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I have never been much of a varmint shooter but my BIL has a Remington .25/06 that seems to be perfect for the lite stuff like squirrels or rabbits and for the larger "varmints" too like coyotes and pigs. I've hunted with it myself a few times and have never needed more than one shot for anything. Never had to chase anything either.
I'm kinda surprised that no one has mentioned that caliber.
I'm kinda surprised that no one has mentioned that caliber.
.25/06, eh? Must be BIG varmints down there in TX.
You mention the subject of calibers no one else has mentioned. I will throw out the .221 Fireball before the topic goes away. I have both an original Fireball and a little CZ American model in that caliber. The original "handgun" in that caliber is a bit useless to me. I am just not that good with it, but I have to admit some fondness of the CZ. It's a nice little rifle, handy for carrying while walking, and good looking to me, too. However, I feel certain I would use it more if it had been chambered in .222 instead.
You mention the subject of calibers no one else has mentioned. I will throw out the .221 Fireball before the topic goes away. I have both an original Fireball and a little CZ American model in that caliber. The original "handgun" in that caliber is a bit useless to me. I am just not that good with it, but I have to admit some fondness of the CZ. It's a nice little rifle, handy for carrying while walking, and good looking to me, too. However, I feel certain I would use it more if it had been chambered in .222 instead.
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22-250 is the correct answer. H380 under a 52gr SMK out of my 700VSF makes pretty pink clouds
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Varmints - like groundhogs or prarie dogs, once you own a 20 Vartarg in a Cooper model 21 you will either sell or leave all others at home... Predators - like coyotes and such - the 20VT will serve you well or just go to the Cooper model 22 and pick a medium case caliber
Ivan the Butcher
Member
For the Varmints in the barn yard out to 200 yards a rifle in 22 Hornet is hard to beat. Except I have a Ruger No.1 in 218 Bee. loaded with poly tipped 50 grain V-max over a traditional load of IMR or H 4227. The low noise of the to small rounds makes them great in built up areas closer to town without getting the housewives too upset. (Setting off a shoulder cannon 25 yards from a bedroom window on Saturday morning, ends up with calls to law enforcement. Just because you didn't do anything wrong doesn't stop complaints).
A older savage 340 won't set you back too much, One thing that is commonly spoken against them is the scope line of sight is 3/4" left of the bore line. Zero at dead-on elevation and 3/4" left at 150 yards. My pre 1961 Hornet groups 40 grain poly boat tails in about 5/8" at that distance. I have a 4-12 x 40mm B&L scope from the 80's on it. When I'm stalking problems under 40 pounds and closer than 200 yards, This is my gun with 1-4 shot mag I always cure the problem be it rodent, canine, feline or porcine (small pig)!
If you come across a rifle in 22 BR (usually 1:14 twist) they do anything a 22-250 will do with about 3/4 the amount of powder and a reduced recoil. I never used it beyond 500 yards but I would trust it to 700 or so. I have friends with 1:8 twist 6 BR rifles and the are using 105 grain bullets, I'm using 50 Ballistic Silver Tip bullets on the same "targets" at the same range. Their targets are hit, mine are vaporized! 22-250 can do this too, with the right weight bullet. Ivan
A older savage 340 won't set you back too much, One thing that is commonly spoken against them is the scope line of sight is 3/4" left of the bore line. Zero at dead-on elevation and 3/4" left at 150 yards. My pre 1961 Hornet groups 40 grain poly boat tails in about 5/8" at that distance. I have a 4-12 x 40mm B&L scope from the 80's on it. When I'm stalking problems under 40 pounds and closer than 200 yards, This is my gun with 1-4 shot mag I always cure the problem be it rodent, canine, feline or porcine (small pig)!
If you come across a rifle in 22 BR (usually 1:14 twist) they do anything a 22-250 will do with about 3/4 the amount of powder and a reduced recoil. I never used it beyond 500 yards but I would trust it to 700 or so. I have friends with 1:8 twist 6 BR rifles and the are using 105 grain bullets, I'm using 50 Ballistic Silver Tip bullets on the same "targets" at the same range. Their targets are hit, mine are vaporized! 22-250 can do this too, with the right weight bullet. Ivan
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