New Varmint Build

[Blueman]

Gents,

I'm wanting to build a new varmint gun mostly for prairie dogs, a yote or 2 and shooting steel. I've always wanted a .220 swift that that's what I'm thinking (I already have a 22-250 so drop it). I want something very flat and fast so I'm thinking 1-14" or 1-12" twist to shoot little bullets fast. I'm not planning on using turrets, just hold over. Most of the varmint shooting I do is 400 yds or closer. I'm a lefty so I'm looking for suggestions on an action (I want a SS remington 700 but can't find a left hand). Also any reason I would need a different chambering or a long aciton?

Thanks,

 

[budlight]

The BC is so bad on 22 cal that a 220 swift is of very little advantage once you get out there 200 + yards over a 22-250. I owned a 26 inch 22-250 for many years of varminting.

I now use a 243 win 26 inch because of the added Horse Power. An 80 grain spbt varmint bullet starting at 3500 fps just tears up small critters

 

[Capt RB]

22br or 22 dasher 3700 52gn br or 3900 with the dasher with better accuracy and brass than a swift. If 4000 fps is needed shoot the 40 grn pills in the br

 

[HammerB1]

I think a 22x47 Lapua would fit the bill really well. That is taking the 6.5x47 Lapua and necking it down to 22 cal. I know reamers and dies are readily available....Would be almost the same as the 22 dasher.

 

[Blueman]

Of the 22x47 lapua, 22 dasher, and 22 br which would be the easiest to make/get brass for? Also how do the 3 compare ballistically?

 

[Armed in Utah]

20 cal sumthing.......

factory.....204 Ruger....Tikka.....Savage........Sako.......

wildcat.....20 Vartarg......20-222.......20 Practical......

hotrod wildcats.......20BR..........or...........

shoot a 20 cal a summer in the p/dog fields...

you'll put your 22-250 in the back of the safe......

 

[budlight]

20 cal sumthing.......

factory.....204 Ruger....Tikka.....Savage........Sako.......

wildcat.....20 Vartarg......20-222.......20 Practical......

hotrod wildcats.......20BR..........or...........

shoot a 20 cal a summer in the p/dog fields...

you'll put your 22-250 in the back of the safe......

When I go hunting with friends who carry 17, 19, 20's Us with the 6mm and larger rifles tell them to take care of all the critters up close! :lol

 

[Armed in Utah]

yep........I'll bet.......

 

[budlight]

After 1000's upon 1000's of rounds on 22-250 it would have never crossed my mind to go with a less powerful rifle like a 204. It is not the logical progression.

So I tested the 6XC at some 600 and 1000 yard shoots. I was very impressed with it. I have some custom rifles in larger calibers .277 and above. so I was thinking about high volume shooting at the least expense. I then tested the Win 243 with a big Lilja 27 in tactical contour barreled bench rest rife and decided to put my 22-250 away.

Shooting 75 grain Vmax at 3600 fps has the Horse Power. 80 or even 87 gr Vmax. You just don't see 204's showing up and making little groups at 600 yard events

I have a freind that is very proud of his little gun set. 204 ruger, 19 Badger, and 17 WSM and yes they are happy to work on the Sub 200 yard colonies.



6XC Cartridge Guide

.243 Win + .243 AI Cartridge Guide

 

[jghoghunter]

If you have your heart set on a swift by all means go with. I would go with a little faster twist so you could shoot slightly heavier bullets and still shoot the light ones.

I have shot 2 220 weatherby rockets for years. I loved them both and they are so much fun on pd's it isn't funny. I shot the 50 ballistic tips exclusively at 4150 fps. I have more than enough pd kills beyound 800 yds to know that is not a fluke. My groundhog kills here in pa top out between 6 and 700 yds.

I also have shot 4 bbls out in benchrest chambered in 243. The ease of getting brass, the price of everything involved in reloading you cannot beat the 243. A twist of 1-10 or 9 you could shoot bullets from 65- to the 95 ballistic tips.

Just my .02.

 

[matt_3479]

I personally love the .20 Cals! I had a 243. Win that shot awesome, but sold it to my little brother. I picked up a 204 ruger and love that little round! I've shot and hunted with 204, 20 tac, 223, 222, 22-250, 6.5 creedmoor, and 260 rem. they all have there place but I love the 20 cals right now. I have a 24" 1:11twist 20 tac pushing the 39gr blitzkings have been so accurate and deadly! I'd like to get a 6mm of some sort again as the larger, longer range rifle. 6mm creed or 6xc

 

[rifle 57]

You might want to look at a 22 or 6mm BRX they are easy to make brass for and dies are no problem to get also.

 

[budlight]

If you read up on the 6XC it states that it is easier on barrels and more efficient that 243 win because of 7 grains less powder capacity. I've found how to duplicate that with the 1000's range brass that I brought home. Lake city 308 win cases. I full length size them first to 260 rem and then 243. I then neck turn them to .272. neck interior & exterior turning perfectly centers the bullet for match or varmint shooting.

The lake city and other 308 win brass has about 4 grains less powder capacity. I have a 9 twist barrel so 75 - 100 grain work fine. Just off the shelf Hornady 100 spbt's I have some range master verified 3.27 inch 10 shot groups at 600 yards not even trying hard or any special ladder testing. I never could do that with my 22-250

I quit bringing home 308 brass because I have too many!

 

[johnmyers]

Friend of mine has a Swift shooting 50gr Blitz Kings at 3925fps. It is really flat shooting out to 400yds and is awesome on pds and coyotes