Looking at 22-250's and could use some advice

[garchibek]

I am currently looking at getting a varmint set up in 22-250. Does anyone have any recommendations on rifles and optics based on field experience and performance?

Thanks in advance

[Fjold]

Since lead free is going to be the only option for hunting in the near future, pick a rifle with a faster twist barrel. Don't get the 1:14" twist, Savage makes theirs in 1:12" twist but personally I would look for a 1:10" twist or faster barrel.

[Bastard]

what kind of budget are you looking at - quite possibly my favorite rifle is my Ruger No. 1 in 22-250

[OldShooter32]

I've got a nice one.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=642251

I also have a 700 in .223 and rhey are both tack-drivers.

[garchibek]

I am flexible on the budget, I want to purchase the right gun and keep it

[Gutpile66]

OP. Great choice for an excellent caliber.

I have two. The first I built on a pre '64 Winchester short action. Douglas 26" heavy sporter barrel and a custom fitted wood stock. Glass bedded with a standard recoil lug.

Second one is a factory Ruger Varmint I bought when they first started selling the heavy sporter barrels with target crown and the cool looking laminated stock (no thumb hole on mine).

The Ruger won't shoot like my custom Win. on the bench but it does everything I've wanted it to do in the field at a fraction of the price. The Ruger is a bit lighter so I use it when I'm going to be hiking to distant stands.

22-250's are bad ju-ju on coyotes. I reload for them exclusively. Both seem to prefer bullets at 55 grains and under. I shoot 52 grain Nosler and 55 grain Sierra bullets, hollow point match grade. If you hit a coyote in the 'pocket' with one of these it just drops like a sack of taters. And the match bullets won't always make an exit wound; they actually leave a road-rash like wound on the inside of the hide on the opposite side of the entry hole. I've shot a couple coyotes that decided to sit down facing me, between 200 & 300 yards away, shot them in the chest, and the shock of the bullets broke their spines. Only a couple small bullet fragments exited, and the inside of the hide looks like road rash. Everything in between was turned to jelly. Awesome.

Any good quality high power scope will work. These types of ballistics, for me, require high magnification. So spend the money and get a variable that goes up to at least 18X, 24X is even better. You'll get bored at 100 yard ranges and you'll start shooting the corners of the bar-code on paper targets. I only use 1 piece bases with Leupold rings. Keep the scope as close to the barrel as you can.

It adds weight to an already heavy rifle but I have to have a bipod for hunting. Good luck brother!

[edgerly779]

I have a ruger m77 varmint heavy barrel. Good shooting firearms.

[russ69]

It's just hard to go wrong with a 22-250. You can get a light weight hunting rig or a heavy barrel varmint killer. Which one is closer to what you want?

[Knife Edge]

The latest trend is shooting 77g bullets with a 1:8 barrel, like a .223 but on steroids. The latest Hornady 9th even has loads for it

[garchibek]

GutPile(Great handle)

Thanks for the advice, that is exactly what I am looking for. Something that enters and does not exit but pulverizes the internals. It will be for hunting coyotes.

Have you any experience with Browning 22-250 rifles or Sako?

As for the scope I was thinking Leopoldo VX-III 6.5X20 or the new Zeiss HD5 5X25. Is this too much scope for the rifle? I have a Leupold 6.5 X20X50 on my long range 308 and love it. What reticle do you suggest for varmint hunting?

[garchibek]

Russ, I was thinking of going with a heavy flutted barrel, I would like a real tack driver. Which rifles do you prefer

[jmust1991]

Tikka T3 Varmint for the win!! Put I nice leupold 3-9 or 4-12 on there and your set. The precision on mine is surgical.

[russ69]

Russ, I was thinking of going with a heavy flutted barrel, I would like a real tack driver. Which rifles do you prefer

I don't really like any stock rifle although I have a few. There usually isn't much rifle left after I buy a trigger, new stock and put a new barrel on it. I guess I had more REM 700s than anything else with a bolt on it.

[Gutpile66]

garchibek,

My grandpa used to say "happiness is a steaming gutpile".

For that kind of terminal ballistics stick with 52 - 55 gr. match grade bullets. The other guys responding regarding twist are correct, i.e., I've found you cannot over spin these bullets. So go tighter if you want, it won't make any difference. It does give you more options should you choose to fling gonzo BC heavy .224 bullets. Most factory barrels will come with 1/14 though, and they've worked great for me.

I wouldn't recommend fluted barrels if you're going to shoot from the bench. When they warm up they will have a tendency to tweak your groups. It's very frustrating. The weight savings just isn't enough to justify it. Yes, they look cool, but . . .

No experience with Browning other than shotguns. I do have a Sako 25-06 deer rifle that I bought used about 16 years ago. First time at the range the firing pin broke. Put in a new one and haven't had any problems since.

Work up your loads carefully and then stick with what your rifle likes the best.

I have the same VXIII on my custom Win. 22-250 with the varmint reticle. I love it. Mil dots, varmint reticles, Horus H58, whatever . . . you want to be able to "true" your rifle and loads out to 600 - 700 yds for hold-over points. Make a reference list at 50 yard increments for your holdover points on your reticle. I don't believe in doping or dialing, and I want my turrets capped so they cannot be accidentally moved. I'm a hunter and I've found this method to be the best for ethical kill shots at nose-bleed distances. Wind is a whole other matter. I still haven't figured out how to predict bullet impact like I want to in wind, so I limit my shot distances when the wind picks up in the late mornings.

Keep your line wet and your powder dry!

[Bastard]

reading this thread makes me want to pick up another 22-250... bastards!