Best carry varmint rifle and cartridge

[218bee]

Originally Posted by flyrod

I have not gone after groundhogs before. Is this the kind of thing where you walk 10 miles and shoot once?

I have done that before, but it is more like walking a mile or two and shooting 3 times.

[flyrod]

Then you probably care more about weight than magazine capacity, barrel heat, cost of ammo, etc. I'll +1 the suggestion for a fieldcraft in 22-250. That should get through the wind at 250 pretty well.

[foxhunter]

Kimber montana 223 rebarreled to 20 tactical/practical or 204, perfect for a walking varminter for groundhogs way beyond 250 yards. 223 in factory is ok as well.

[218bee]

Originally Posted by flyrod

Then you probably care more about weight than magazine capacity, barrel heat, cost of ammo, etc. I'll +1 the suggestion for a fieldcraft in 22-250. That should get through the wind at 250 pretty well.

Here is what a great day looks like when I only walked about 200 yards



At that time I was using a Remington 700 BDL in 22-250. I don't need the noise or recoil for that type of shooting anymore. It's getting harder to find places which don't have houses close by and the noise can be a negative.

[Wiserfool]

Sorry for the distraction gentlemen. I'm experienced with forums, but quite (VERY) new here. I'm hoping I have learned how to post pictures on this forum with this post. If it works, it is an example of a couple of types of aftermarket steel bottom metal for a Remington 600/660.

[Bayou City Boy]

Originally Posted by foxhunter

Kimber montana 223 rebarreled to 20 tactical/practical or 204, perfect for a walking varminter for groundhogs way beyond 250 yards. 223 in factory is ok as well.

Another good option that I have in a gun safe. Along with it's big brothers in 243 Winchester and 257 Roberts.

Dang.............. I probably need to thin the herd but I'm not in that mood right now.

-BB

[Herb in Pa]

I'm fortunate in that the areas I hunt in Western Pa are accessible by vehicle. Drive in, set up and do some sniping. Only walking involved is to remove the bodies. I generally use a 204.

[218bee]

Originally Posted by Wiserfool

Sorry for the distraction gentlemen. I'm experienced with forums, but quite (VERY) new here. I'm hoping I have learned how to post pictures on this forum with this post. If it works, it is an example of a couple of types of aftermarket steel bottom metal for a Remington 600/660.

Nice! I think the aluminum bottom metal would be a necessary upgrade.

I was looking at scope base options and it seems the Weaver #70 is one of the only options. What have you used on your rifles?

[WyoBull]

That is a tough one but three I have in the safe come to mind as really good carry rifles.

1. Remington Deluxe 722 in 222 Remington - Highly accurate caliber within your paramater of 250 yards. Mine is mostly a safe queen now as it is in pristine condition and I want to keep it that way.

2. CZ527 Varmint in 17 Remington - Again, highly accurate caliber within your parameter of 250 yards. The mag extending out does not bother me at all. In fact, I have come to like it as I have two and keep the extra one loaded in my pocket. This is one rifle I typically have with me in the truck.

3. Heckler & Koch Model 300 22 Mag. This is a honey of a rifle with the detachable scope mount. It has polygonal rifling so it hits harder than a 22 Mag with standard rifling like the Winchester 94. I shoot the Winchester 40 gr HP's out of it and have shot coyotes in the 200 yard range with really good success. It is mostly a safe queen now but used to be my short range calling rifle.

My 220 Swift in Remington 700 VSSF is my "go to" rifle and caliber for all things varmint but I don't consider it a rifle I am going to carry around all day. I wish Kimber would make their Mountain Ascent rifle in smaller calibers as that rifle would be the ultimate carry around rifle from a weight perspective.

[Wiserfool]

What have you used on your rifles?

I used to use the Weaver. Now I use a Leupold XP-100 Duel Dovetail base and Burris Signature rings in 1", Leupold DD in 30mm (30mm Burris was discontinued).