Small Caliber Long Range Questions

[ShowMeShooter]

Without being repetitive, is the .223 case what you want to stay with for cost reasons or would you want any other caliber? If you re-barrel, you can have almost ANY caliber you want regardless of case head size for about 45 bucks additional in changing the bolt head. Savage/Stevens have a huge advantage in caliber changes.

I went to the .223 a couple years ago. I used to coyote hunt with a Ruger M77 .243 shooting 70gn Nosler BT. One day while out on a new farm I shot a bobcat at a lazered 378 yards, that bullet blew a softball sized hole it the cat. I went to the .223 to try and prevent this in the future. It's looking like if I want to shoot long, I may have to just deal with a little fur loss. I'm not gonna give up yet though. I still have a few other bullets to try first.

 

[D.ID]

I went to the .223 a couple years ago. I used to coyote hunt with a Ruger M77 .243 shooting 70gn Nosler BT. One day while out on a new farm I shot a bobcat at a lazered 378 yards, that bullet blew a softball sized hole it the cat. I went to the .223 to try and prevent this in the future. It's looking like if I want to shoot long, I may have to just deal with a little fur loss. I'm not gonna give up yet though. I still have a few other bullets to try first.

While the 243 is not known for being fur friendly I bet you could find a fur friendlier bullet for it. I would look into that if I where in your shoes. I would bet 9 outa ten varmint hunters carrying a 223 now are doing so for the same reason. I think my next on is going to be a 6br just to see if taking the edge off the 6mm bullets will help while still retaining long range supremacy...................................aw hell, I just really want one and can not think of a better excuse.

 

[ShowMeShooter]

While the 243 is not known for being fur friendly I bet you could find a fur friendlier bullet for it. I would look into that if I where in your shoes. I would bet 9 outa ten varmint hunters carrying a 223 now are doing so for the same reason. I think my next on is going to be a 6br just to see if taking the edge off the 6mm bullets will help while still retaining long range supremacy...................................aw hell, I just really want one and can not think of a better excuse.

I know what you mean. I looked for a bullet that was easier on the fur, I just couldn't get the accuracy from that rifle. I have been kicking around the 6mm idea for a couple weeks now too. I like the looks of the 6x47 Lapua. I'm gonna see how it stacks up for a varmint round.....still researching.