Strictly for varmints

[Reeek]

Originally Posted by fritzmeister

I'm surprised nobody has said .204.

17 Rem
221 Frieball
221 Bee (?)
220 Swift

There are several others that are 17 to 22 caliber rounds.

I seriously looked at the .220 swift but the consensus is they tear a barrel up pretty fast too.


Just what is the life span of a 22-250 or .220 swift barrel compared to a .223 for instance anyway? Is that all smoke? Is it because of the pressures and overall ballistics or will keeping the barrel clean and defouled properly mitigate that?

I would love to have one of the super fast/flat rounds but not if this barrel issue is real

[xd357xd]

you might look at the 25.06

[fritzmeister]

I don't own a 220 Swift, but I did research it some. The ammo is expensive, compared to .223 or even .22-250. Several people told me that the 220 Swift will erode the barrel, but it was less of an issue if you didn't buy or reload hot ammo. I think that the barrel/throat erosion is from the speed of the bullet.

[Reeek]

I starting to get serious about a Bushmaster Varminter . . .

It's hard not to go down to the local shop right now and snag one.

It gets great reviews for accuracy and value.

I can get one in stock here in Reno for $1150 right now.

[Brickboy240]

You can get several bull barreled 223 boltguns that will equal or better the AR varmint rigs for almost half the price.

- brickboy240

[Reeek]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

You can get several bull barreled 223 boltguns that will equal or better the AR varmint rigs for almost half the price.

- brickboy240

Thanks for your input on that and I'm still open to that for sure. I'm going to the shop(s) in an hour or two and see what we have in stock now.

I still like some of the Savage Model 12 series rifles too for sure.

What's the consensus of synthetic stocks versus wood or laminate on bolt guns?

[Brickboy240]

Yes, the Savage 12, Remmy 700 and Ruger M77 Varmints are all nice rifles. Howa also makes a very reasonably priced 223 bolt gun that is a steal for the quality (these are esentially Weatherby Vangards). Winchester made some Mod.70s in varmint trim in 223 that were also very nice guns and not overly expensive. I believe FN makes the M70s now.

I also would not pass up a Thompson Center Encore in 223 - they're very accurate. Dad has one in 22-250 and its a joy to shoot and handy to carry. You could also play around with the 204, 220 Swift or 22-250 later on by buying an extra barrel.

- Brickboy240

[jnclement]

Originally Posted by Reeek

I seriously looked at the .220 swift but the consensus is they tear a barrel up pretty fast too.

Is it because of the pressures and overall ballistics or will keeping the barrel clean and defouled properly mitigate that?

It's mostly a heat issue, not a cleaning issue. If you download them, you get longer barrel life, and less erosion. Kind of like if you get that Ferrari, and only drive 55, and take corners at 15, you get a lot more life.

I bet a Swift, loaded hot, will still have a barrel life of 1000-1500 rounds. Might even shoot minute of praire dog up to 2000 rounds. We should all be so lucky as to shoot out a barrel. Buy a Savage, if you want a new barrel, you can put one on yourself in 30 minutes, in your garage.

[robinsre]

Originally Posted by Reeek

Mostly ground squirrels, ground hogs and coyotes. I was thinking about a .17 first but I have been leaning toward a .22 cal centerfire to cover more bases. Here in Nevada 200 yard shots aren't unusual if you can see that far and your rifle is accurate enough. The wind issue sort of swayed me from the .17 HMR as my first varmint rifle but I do intend to get one anyway. Nevada can get breezy a lot.

Off topic but, when you start varmint hunting let me know. That's something I'd like to get into as well.

- Ryan

[Ishpeck]

Originally Posted by Reeek

22-250 or .223, ammo prices not a factor?

Price is always a factor. Any gun you can't shoot a LOT had better have enough AWESOME factor to compensate for it.

Varmints won't stop breeding. Therefore, you won't stop shooting. S'why .22LR's plenty for me.