varmint barrel came in mail today

[runningboard]

went to check mail after work today and was pleasantly surprised to find the barrel I ordered from Lilja's had arrived! they made me a 27" .224 1-in-8 twist for heavy for caliber bullets in the Remington varmint taper. have 2 different actions/rifles and haven't decided which to use yet. I have a short Remington 700 and was thinking 22-250 AI or I have a long Winchester model 70 with all the features of the pre-64 (it isn't) and thought of 22-6mm (.224 Texas trophy hunter)

[b23]

Nothing wrong with either of your choices and if you do a TTH, using a long action is certainly the better choice.  My dad's TTH was built on a Remy 700 SA and with the 75gr. Berger VLD's it has to be used as a single shot.

Ever thought about a 22-243?  It'll work well in either short or long action/s.  There are many different varieties of 22-243 from just the basic straight 22-243 to any of the 22-243 Improved versions.  Finding brass for a 243 is not only considerably easier than finding 6mm brass but Lapua makes 243 brass and 200rnds of Lapua 243 would probably last you the life of the barrel.

[Biggerhammer]

I would agree with B23. The 22-.243 would be well suited for your Rem700 action. It's a common sense, straight forward haste free wildcat without the extra length of the 6mm Remington case causing possible issues with cartridge over all lengths on a short action, depending on the bullet.

I would save that Model 70 long for a cartridge with a little more case capacity. Maybe a .280 AI or the likes.

[jjhunter]

I built a 22-6mm in 2005 with an 8 twist.   We shot 80 grain match-kings with spectacular results.   It was built on a VSSF action/stock.   It was definitely a single shot!

[runningboard]

thanks for the input guys, I'll look into the 22-243 option for the short action 700.

[Blacklab]

Very cool 

[b23]

thanks for the input guys, I'll look into the 22-243 option for the short action 700.

For a hot rod .22 cal varmint exterminator, IMO, 22-243 is at the top of the list. 

Make sure you get the correct set of dies that match the reamer your gunsmith uses.  Like I said before, there is a variety of different 22-243 creations out there with "improved" case designs and they are not all the same.  A straight 22-243 would probably be the easiest and if you are looking for an "improved"version" 22-243 Middlestead is probably the most popular but there isn't all that much gain in "improving" a 243 case, not enough IMO to warrant the extra work, so if it were me, I'd go with a straight 22-243 and use Lapua 243 brass. 

Not that I've ever had a coyote tell me one hurt more than the other but a 22-243 will shoot, especially the heavy for caliber bullets, quite a bit faster than a 22-250ai or 220Swift.  Best of luck with your new build.

[b23]

Also FWIW, with regard to reloading dies, since dies are sometimes a real beetch to find I don't know why you couldn't use a standard 243win. full length bushing die with the appropriate size bushing and for a bullet seating die you could get a Redding 22-250 competition seating die and have your gunsmith use the same 22-243 reamer on the sliding sleeve and presto you'd have yourself a custom made bullet seating die made with the same reamer as your chamber was cut with.  If you've never used a Redding Comp. seating die, you'll fall in love after you do, they're very nice.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'm a big fan of the Hornady bullet seating dies with the sleeve that drops down to guide the bullet into the case.  Sure saves the fingers, especially with the small .22, .20 and .17 bullets!  And you can get individual Hornady dies.   

[runningboard]

thanks for the input guys, I'll look into the 22-243 option for the short action 700.

For a hot rod .22 cal varmint exterminator, IMO, 22-243 is at the top of the list. 

Make sure you get the correct set of dies that match the reamer your gunsmith uses.  Like I said before, there is a variety of different 22-243 creations out there with "improved" case designs and they are not all the same.  A straight 22-243 would probably be the easiest and if you are looking for an "improved"version" 22-243 Middlestead is probably the most popular but there isn't all that much gain in "improving" a 243 case, not enough IMO to warrant the extra work, so if it were me, I'd go with a straight 22-243 and use Lapua 243 brass. 

Not that I've ever had a coyote tell me one hurt more than the other but a 22-243 will shoot, especially the heavy for caliber bullets, quite a bit faster than a 22-250ai or 220Swift.  Best of luck with your new build.

after reading your advice here and reading some stuff on long range forums I went with 22-243, not improved. I got the call Saturday it is done but too late in the day to get it until tomorrow. I hope to have a load ready by October 1 when I head to Wyoming for antelope, they changed the rules on antelope this year and you can use a .22 centerfire as long as bullets weigh 60 grains or more.

[b23]

Congrats on your new build and I'm sure it'll be a death ray.  Any thoughts on what bullet/s you're going to try/use??  With a 1-8 you should be able to shoot just about any of the heavy for caliber 22cal bullets and IMO that is where the extra horsepower from the bigger case really shines.  Also, I'd highly recommend using Lapua 243 brass.  It cost more up front but I believe it more than pays for itself everywhere else.