‘Varmint’ profile rifles?

[wildfowler.250]

So I’ve been weighing up a change of .22-250,(although very tempted by a .222) for the odd roe and occasional crow around the farm. I usually try and go for a second hand rifle and quite fancy another sako 75,(have one in .270) but the majority seem to be in a heavy barrel profile for the .22-250?

Is the extra weight a disadvantage/advantage? In the last few years I seem to be thinking lighter is better. Although there’s something quite stable about a heavier gun, I’m not sure the extra weight is worth it when you’ve to drag a deer back as well?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I think I would have the gun bore scoped first before I part with money but that’s a side issue.

Cheers!

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

I have a 75 varmint barreled 308 great for sitting up but i wouldn,t want to carry it above fifteen minutes. anywhere when i was younger yes but not now.atb doug.

 

[Stealthhunter]

I was in two minds. So went and felt a varmint. Definitely a sporter barrel imo if you ain’t shooting off a truck, as I do a lot of walking with my gun , the extra weight is very noticeable

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I've had no problems walking with a varmint barrel, lets be fair its only a couple if kilos more, if your concerned about it go for a jog every day and loose it that way lol. My heavy barrel is my usual walk around gun, the weight of it allows me to shoot accurately enough to shoot squirrels off hand at sensible ranges, can't do it with a sporter. Wouldn't do the highlands with one where you are walking miles and miles but for mooching around no mither

 

[Andy RV]

If you’ve got the choice, go for the sporter profile.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers guys, much like I’d suspected to be honest. Think they’re more geared up for off the bonnet or ambush shooting.

If you’ve got the choice, go for the sporter profile.

This is it. Plenty varmint options second hand but little sporters. No rush I’ll just bide my time

 

[User00040]

A few kilo's extra walking on a flat field somewhere, no problem.

A few kilo's extra up the side of a Munro in pouring rain with no path to follow, hell on earth!

Unless you plan on shooting more than one magazine (approx 5 rounds) through the barrel in one course of fire I would go with the sporter contour every time.

 

[bryn]

Which ever caliber you choose 22-250 or 222 then make sure you have a look down the bore if possible as both are very fast rounds and are known as barrel burners. I have 22-250 and love the caliber, flat shooting and very accurate.
bryn

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

Which ever caliber you choose 22-250 or 222 then make sure you have a look down the bore if possible as both are very fast rounds and are known as barrel burners. I have 22-250 and love the caliber, flat shooting and very accurate.
bryn

A 222 is a barrel burner? On what planet, burning 21 grains of powder?

 

[bryn]

A 222 is a barrel burner? On what planet, burning 21 grains of powder?

It's not just about how much powder you burn but the speed of the round.
bryn

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

It's not just about how much powder you burn but the speed of the round.
bryn

Really? 3000 - 3100 fps?

 

[vpk999]

Try the Ruger 204. That's 4000fps.

 

[User00035]

I like a varminter as long as it's a good one, properly bedded and floating. the more so as I'm not keen on mods.
Depends what you're doing. Obviously if you're poking it out of a car window it can be a pain but for walking up and shooting standing off sticks I find the extra weight is a bonus because it aids stability.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Which ever caliber you choose 22-250 or 222 then make sure you have a look down the bore if possible as both are very fast rounds and are known as barrel burners. I have 22-250 and love the caliber, flat shooting and very accurate.
bryn

Will do! Have to say I thought the .222 was on the milder side of things. Haven’t shot one but very tempted by the lower noise, short action, easy to reload and most things I shoot are sub 200yards. Certainly 250.

I may just request they change my application one I move my current gun on from .22-250 to .22CF and then you can chose a gun rather than a caliber as there isn’t a huge amount in it

 

[rem708cdl]

I have had a 222 for the last 18 years shoots as well now as when it came barrel wear is mostly caused in the throat of the barrel by the flame and intense heat when the bullet leaves the chamber worst rounds are 22 250 220 swift 243 win 17rem any case with a small tube and a large charge of powder ie any of rounds hold 38 plus grans of powder 222 has a max of 26 grains only with spherical not cylindrical powder Brain is 100%
colin

 

[Odders]

22-250 is fine for relatively light bullets (40-60gr if a 1:12 twist) at high velocity. Mine's a 1:10 & I'm hoping to get out & try it with 65-70gr bullets for longer range in the near future - got to sort out the 50-63gr stuff first though.
Unless you're firing more than 5 shots in succession, I can't see the advantage of a varmint barrel, which came about through PD shooting in the US, where hundreds of shots might be taken in a day.

 

[Miki]

So I’ve been weighing up a change of .22-250,(although very tempted by a .222) for the odd roe and occasional crow around the farm.<snip>

.22-250 is a bit overkill for crows, more of a foxer. Flat shooting and fast, blows rabbits into red mist @distances greater than I can reliably be accurate at. Noisy too.
The .222 would (I suggest) be better, a friend has one and has no problem with Roe out to 100M + it's a lot lighter and quieter too.
I presume you are in Scotland, otherwise you'll need a larger caliber for Roe (ok for Munty though).

 

[MAH]

Is the extra weight a disadvantage/advantage?

I think you need to decide what you want it for. At least the main priority. e.g.

Typically, HB 22/250's vermin rifles are just that. They are for small critters, with a flat trajectory round, holding 1/2 moa over a long range (maybe 300yrds or more). That's were the HB is an advantage. HB vermin shooter might set up in a hide, with a wide and long arc of fire, so no need to be lugging it about. So no disadvantage.

However, I've also used 22/250 for woodland Row, contact typically 50/150 yards. So 1/2 moa is just not required with a kill zone if 5" at that distance. Thus, a light sporter is perfect if your spending most of your time walking about with it and shooting Row at reasonably modest ranges.

What will you do most?

M.

 

[Heym SR20]

Varmint profile are great for if you want to shoot long shot strings - sitting on a bench clearing a field of prairie dogs is what they were designed for. Excellent for plinking gongs. But there is varmint and varmint. My remington 223 sps varmint is not bad at all to carry. With a sling its awful so I just carry it African style and then its fine.

But for a true vermin rifle, well the old rook ad rabbit rifles were nearly correct. Chamber one in .222 and pretty much perfect.

 

[3xspringer]

Varment barrel great for high seat bonnet ect but walk and stalk I found to heavy! Had .243 Sako 75 lovely wood sold to a friend, now have SAKO 75 .308 synthetic stainless much better for walk about to stalk, thinking of selling that now as have .308 blaser success thumb hole spot on. all very accurat.