22-250 suggestions

[7mmfan]

I'm playing with the idea of buying a 22-250 for a couple of reasons.

1. I want to practice shooting a lot more than I have in the past, without shooting my 7 mag or 7mm-08. The round count on my 7 mag is getting up there, and I'd rather preserve it since it shoots so well, and my 7mm-08 is a very lightweight mountain rifle that gets hot fast, so I can't really shoot all that much with it.

2. Varmints. Never spent much time after them, but I hunted a piece of private ground this fall that was absolutely loaded with them, and the farmer expressed some interest in someone coming in and thinning them a bit. I'm happy to oblige.

3. Smaller lighter - weight gun to pack around in the woods during the off season for the opportunistic coyote, grouse, etc...

I haven't established a budget for this yet, but I'd like to keep the gun under about $600. I can get deals on scopes, so that's not a factor.

Any standouts that you guys would suggest right off the bat?

[JDHasty]

I have two and they are both 788 Remingtons.  I would NOT get one at today's prices unless one "falls into your lap" for a great bargain price.  They are getting old and finding parts is not as easy as it used to be either, but Timney triggers are still available for a buck and a quarter for them.

I use a Winchester Mod 70 Heavy Varmint in 243 and like it real well and I also shoot a Winchester Mod 70 in 300 Wby and that keeps me familiar with the model 70.

One of the best values for the money IMHO is the Howa or Howa action Vanguard

I would think a model 700 or 70 should be had in the price strata you are looking at and I have never had any trouble getting excellent accuracy out of either.   

[Reidus]

I'd reccomend a .243 over a 22-250. You can shoot 55 grainers out of a 243 faster than you can out of a 22-250 and you can shoot heavier bullets out of a .243 for deer. 22-250 might be better if you're trying to save the furs. I've ran 55gr nosler ballistic tips up over 4100fps in a 243 22" barrel savage....Flat shooting rifle out to 400yds.

I like the tikka's for an off the shelf gun. Good triggers, point nice, light and easy to pack. I have 1 in 223.  223 would also work great for what you're describing. Not going to heat up as fast as 22-250 or 243, less recoil, lots of diff ammo. You can also watch your hits with a 223 as long as your scope isn't much more than 7x-8x.

[theleo]

Tikka T3x lite for going lighter. One thing about going light with a 22-250 is that the barrel heats up pretty quick. I let my heavy barrel Remington cool after about 7 shots, could put more through it but getting heavy barrels hot means it takes them that much longer to cool down. For high volume varmints the 22-250 might not be your best friend.

[7mmfan]

Good feedback. I have no interest in another gun for deer hunting, so I'm not going to bump up to the 243. I have considered the .223, but I like the ballistics of the 22-250. I my own handloading for my other guns, and would for this one as well, so the ammo availability isn't to much of an issue. If I could be convinced that the ballistics weren't any different out to say, 300ish yards, then I might be swayed.

What I'm also hoping for is a fairly compact gun, something that is light and easy to pack around so it doesn't get in the way when I'm not really on a "hunting" trip but want to haul the gun around just in case. The Model 70 Featherweight Compact seems to fit that bill well, but is pricey. Know of any other compact versions similar to that one?

[7mmfan]

Tikka T3x lite for going lighter. One thing about going light with a 22-250 is that the barrel heats up pretty quick. I let my heavy barrel Remington cool after about 7 shots, could put more through it but getting heavy barrels hot means it takes them that much longer to cool down. For high volume varmints the 22-250 might not be your best friend.

Good to know, I wasn't sure how fast it would heat up, I have no experience with these calibers. I'll keep that in mind.

[7mmfan]

Good feedback. I have no interest in another gun for deer hunting, so I'm not going to bump up to the 243. I have considered the .223, but I like the ballistics of the 22-250. I my own handloading for my other guns, and would for this one as well, so the ammo availability isn't to much of an issue. If I could be convinced that the ballistics weren't any different out to say, 300ish yards, then I might be swayed.

What I'm also hoping for is a fairly compact gun, something that is light and easy to pack around so it doesn't get in the way when I'm not really on a "hunting" trip but want to haul the gun around just in case. The Model 70 Featherweight Compact seems to fit that bill well, but is pricey. Know of any other compact versions similar to that one?

Looks like Tikka does now that I look closer.

[nutntoit]

Personally, I like Savage rifles. I have a 111 in 30-06 and an axis II in .223. Both are extremely accurate. The 223 surprises me everytime I shoot it. It doesn't make sense that a cheap gun is that accurate. $600 would get you a nice Savage and maybe some extras. I would recommend the 110 style action. They also have plenty of varmit specific and lightweight rifles.

[theleo]

Before you completely disregard the 243 idea, note that the majority of factory 22-250 rifle have a 1 in 14" twist rate. That's fine for up to about 55 grain bullets but for better BC bullets in the 60+ grain category you'd want a quicker twist. For going long range, a 243 with a 100 grain bullet with a high BC (.536 for a 108gr eld) will create more splat than a 53gr V-max with a .290 BC. 

[cdriver]

The Howa is a great rifle that's priced well. Superb trigger, bolt action is smooth, Hogue stock makes it durable. I have been very happy with mine.

[carpsniperg2]

Tikka or Ruger predator.

[b23]

Are you set on it only being a 22-250?  Nothing wrong with it if you are, it's a great choice, but, if you are open to other options I'd take a look at the CZ 527 Varmint in 204 Ruger.  The 527's are a sweet little rifle that shoot extremely well right out of the box and even the Varmint model only weighs 7.5lbs and the trigger in these things is VERY nice.  They go for around $625

[fowl smacker]

I have a Ruger American in 22 Mag that I absolutely love. I picked it up for around $450.  This is my toss in the truck gun, accurate as heck, great trigger, and Idon't mind if it gets a few scratches.  Oh, and it's 100% American made.

[7mmfan]

I have considered other calibers. 22 mag was one of them but I'm looking for a gun that I can reload for. The 223 and 204 were considered as well, but I prefer the get up and go/downrange energy of the 22-250.

This gun will serve multiple purposes for me. My wife is interested in shooting, but my 7 mag and 7mm-08 are a little rough on her. This gun will allow for longer range shooting without the recoil. She has no intentions of hunting at this point, probably never will, so I'm not worried about this being deer legal.

I want it to be compact and light so I can pack it around for opportunistic grouse/coyote/rabbit, etc...

Down the road, I want to be able to teach little ones to shoot with it as well, hence the compact/light recoil.

I know there are other options, and ballistically I am probably splitting hairs, but this is the route I've decided to go.

[theleo]

I wouldn't say your splitting hairs ballisticly. There's a definet step up between the 22-250 and 223. There's just some caveats with the cartridge and most rifles to consider. For light, compact, low recoil, and long range the 22-250 will fit the bill, just when you look at them know that the 1 in 14" twist pretty much puts you at 55gr bullets and lighter. Mine sighted in at 200 yards means I hold high on the fur of coyote at 300 yards and put a little daylight between it's back and the cross hairs at 400 yards for solid hits. For hunting small game for the table you'll have to slow it way down. Even my basic load of 38gr of H380 will render a grouse or rabbit in edible unless you stick to head shots.