P-Dog rifle build: fast twist 22-250, .243, or something else???

[codyadams]

So I have a Remington 700 sps chambered in 22-250 that has served me well, but the barrel is TOAST. So it's time to blueprint and rebarrel, but I'm flip flopping on what cartridge.

I want something somewhat standard, because it's a varmint rifle, Ill go through ALOT of components and may need to buy brass to get started. I burned 2 8lb kegs of Varget last summer, so barrel life is also somewhat a consideration....

I want this gun for shooting mainly prairie dogs from close to long range (1000+ yards at times) and at times in high wind, so good ballistics are necessary. BTW, this will be a heavy long barreled gun, match varmint contour or possibly strait, so I can go longer shot strings on a p-dog town on a hot day. This will be shot off a bench or off the hood/tailgate of my truck while shooting dogs.

I'm thinking tight twist 22-250, would shoot the 75-90 grain pills.

Or

.243 shooting 105's or so.

Any thoughts or suggestions for other chamberings??? I don't want to go too much larger than a .243, this is a short action, and after all, for prairie dogs...And not really wanting to try any 20 cals, they aren't bad but they just don't do as well in winds. Anyone with experience with both that might have input? Thanks for any help guys

 

[d11r529]

I have 2 243's, one with a 1X8 twist barrel that likes 105gr Hornady bullets and one with a 1X7 twist that likes 105 or 115 Berger bullets. I have no problem going to 1000 yards with either of them. My brother has a fast twist 22-250, I'm not sure of the twist and he can do well with 75gr bullets out to 850 yards but that's about it. He hasn't tried anything heaver. Hope this helps.

 

[Capt RB]

Go with a 243 AI use H1000 or IMR7977 and run 105's coated at 3000-3100. You should see 2500 rds of life. A straight 243 can't run H1000 effectively and a 22-250 can't match either ballistics or barrel life.
Other rounds to consider is 6xc 6br and it's kittens. 6competition match and RW's 30 degree243 imp. Hard for a 22 anything to get both of your wants.
A 223 will teach you alot about wind as will a few other cartridges if you go that route.

 

[shortgrass]

As mentioned above, don't overlook the 6MM XC. Norma brass has been readily available, lately. Easy to load for. Fits your SA magazine. With a 1-8 twist you'll have your choice of bullet weights. Consider having your barrel Melonite/Black Nitride treated when installing a barrel that's been chambered in any of the "high intensity barrel burners" that a 'good' varmint rifle is normally set-up with.

 

[geo4061]

Capt RB, 105's coated? Please explain. Thanks.

 

[Sully2]

You can go with a 22-250 caliber. Just make sure of your barrel's twist!!!

I only have the std Remington barrel on my own 22-250 but then again I wont try one more than 300 yds away either....I have other calibers for longer ranges

 

[Capt RB]

Capt RB, 105's coated? Please explain. Thanks.

HBN or Moly. I've used moly for along time. It has drawbacks but I've not experienced them. I leave my bores wet which hinders the moisture absorbing abilities. HBN I will use later this season. It's highly unlikely I will shoot through what I have loaded up now

 

[Predator 22]

My opinion would be to get a 6mm creedmoor or 6xc, 6br, 6x47 lapua or the likes. I really like my 250's and 250 ai's but barrel life sucks. I'm shooting 50 gr v-max over 40gr varget in my ai and 1000 rounds later it's about due for a barrel As mentioned earlier melonite the barrel and run hbn. As far as the taper I wouldn't go straight. My opinion is that no matter how big the od is the throat is still taking the blunt and just because the outside isn't as hot as a it would be with a sporter the Id is going to be close between the two. That's my opinion so take is as such. I like a heavy enough barrel to keep everything steady but not so much to be awkward or nose heavy.

 

[Predator 22]

And think about getting a smaller gun (223, 222, 204 ect.) for the closer shots.

 

[ATH]

If you're talking all the way to 1K, I'd say 6mm > .22. I'm running a 243AI with 87s and 105s and I think that's the ticket. Of course there are equivalent chamberings.

I'm about to build a 20 Practical to cover the shorter shots. I'm not a highly experienced prairie dog shooter, but the experience I've had makes me wonder how shots over 500-600 yards are in any way practical. With any kind of wind seems mostly luck out past that. Even the smart ones get pretty dumb past a quarter mile.

 

[codyadams]

If you're talking all the way to 1K, I'd say 6mm > .22. I'm running a 243AI with 87s and 105s and I think that's the ticket. Of course there are equivalent chamberings.

I'm about to build a 20 Practical to cover the shorter shots. I'm not a highly experienced prairie dog shooter, but the experience I've had makes me wonder how shots over 500-600 yards are in any way practical. With any kind of wind seems mostly luck out past that. Even the smart ones get pretty dumb past a quarter mile.

Prairie dog shooting is not about being practical lol its about stretching your ability and having fun, imo. I have an ar-15 in 5.56 I'm using for out to 300 or so most the time, it's a 16" heavy barreled DPMS and it does the trick nicely. I have been shooting p dogs lately with my .260 AI, 140 berger hybrid target going 2960, and I regularly make hits 700 yards and farther. But, I don't want to use the barrel up on this gun on varmints. Shooting these things is the best practice you can have for long range big game, targets change distance, they are more challenging to hit, and make you an overall better shooter because if you miss your wind call, you miss your target. You learn alot about long range when your targets are living and the size of a liter of coke ha ha.

I am thinking .243 or possibly 6X47 lapua after some looking...I think either would do the trick, and could be used by my nieces and nephews as a low recoil long range antelope gun as well...

 

[Garycrow]

I just got back from a prairie dog shoot and carried a 22-250 and 6BR. The 22-250 is my go to rifle but the 6BR shooting the 105 Amax comes out when the shots get long. I haven't found a 22 caliber bullet that can hang with the 6mm 105's when the shots get long and/or the wind is up. You're not going to be doing much at 1000 yds. with a 22-250, a 6mm of some sort is going to be better out there.

My 6BR is built on a savage action and I don't magazine feed it, single shot only. If I were building a repeater I'd think hard about an 8 twist 6XC. I'd probably pick that over a 243 although you did say you wanted common and there's not much more common than a 243. Whatever 6mm you build make sure you twist it right, 8 or 7.5 twist, no slower than that.

 

[Hornhunter32]

6x47L, 6 Creedmoor or 6XC are perfect for your needs

 

[MachV]

I built a 22-250 8 twist many years ago and still use it occasionally but it will not keep up with the 243,6br or the 6-284 @ 1000 yards......750 you bet but not 1000yards.
If your sitting on a lot of good 22-250 brass you may want to consider the 6xc. If I remember right you can anneal and fireform 22-250 into 6xc?