2 questions.

[bcunnin1]

These might even over lap. I would like a rifle I can really shoot to distance less for hunting. And I would also like a rifle in a varmint caliber for varmint hunting. What caliber should I look for and how much will a rifle cost. Should I go custom build it up myself or buy a stock rifle or order custom? Any advice from the experienced shooters is appreciated.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

How about a Sendero in 25-06

 

[Hammer]

25-06 gets my vote.

 

[mike243]

go to the remington ammo site & look at some balistics,compair 243,25-06 & the short mags,i think you will find it hard to beat the 243 or the 243 short mags,look at drop & energy to get a idea.let us know how it works out,mike243

 

[Model70Man]

Gotta second the 243. It's a great deer and varmint caliber. 95 grain Fusion for deer and 55 grain Ballistic Tip for varmints.

 

[bcunnin1]

I looked at that Sendero pretty sweet. I will just wait for the next Knoxville gun show and go take a look and see what I can find. Any and all advice appreciated on what to look for.

 

[rvs9]

In terms of the rifle, it's all about what you want to spend. Virtually all the manufacturers offer a model suited towards long range shooting. Handle as many as you can and go with the one that 'feels' the best to you. I don't think you'll be disappointed with whatever you choose.

No need to go custom unless you either want to do some or all of the work yourself or want a rifle that is pesonalized.

$$ wise you can range from $350 to $1,500. Just depends on what you choose.

Caliber is an open book. Run of the mill: 243, 25-06, 7mm-08, & .308 are all good choices. Thinking outside the box: 240wby & 257wby. Roy's creations outperform their cousins, but are more expensive in terms of factory ammo.

 

[firefox]

I like the .308 since more factory varmint rifles are built in that caliber. I also like that all ammo makers produce outstanding target ammunition in the .308 winchester cartridge. And even better, more scopes are built with bullet drop compensation dials tuned to the .308 at out the door prices. An excellent rifle priced around $500 is the Remington SPS Varmint. It has a good barrel and excellent trigger. It is also a cheap starter. When you start hitting distant targets in the first round you won't have much regret in upgrading a cheap rifle. Upgrading becomes very addictive. You'll want this stock and that bottom metal...its easier to chop up a less expensive quality rifle in an outstanding caliber than it is to tear into a higher dollar stick.

 

[TiminTN]

I`d go with a 6BR for the distance shooting, and a custom with a heavy Krieger, Lilja barrel, Remington/Stiller/Stolle/BAT action, Shehane/McMillan stock, 6.5-20/8.5-25 glass. I`d have the action pinned to be a switch barrel, and add a 22BR barrel for varminting use a 12 or 14" twist to shoot 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.

You will save the cost of a stock.....$400.00.........the 2nd bedding...........$200.00.............the 2nd scope..........$700.00...........2nd trigger..........$200.00

 

[megalomaniac]

I'll vote for the Sendero if you want to be cost conscious... mine has been the most accurate 'out of the box' factory rifle I've ever owned.
You just aren't going to find a caliber however that is both the ultimate varmit rifle AND ultimate long range deer rifle. It's going to have to lean more toward one or the other. That being said, I'd probably lean more toward the deer hunting aspect than varmit... I'd rather be overpowered for varmits than underpowered for deer.

A 7 mag in the sendero will be more than capable for deer out to 600-800 yards using the 160 grainers, and will absolutely explode a coyote with the 100 gr hollowpoints.

So that's my vote... a Sendero in 7mag.

 

[bcunnin1]

Mega I have a 7mm I want a rifle for varmint and target not so much deer, it would be a nice option but not really important. What about an AR platform nobody has mentioned that?

 

[megalomaniac]

In that case, I'd opt for a 22-250 or a 225 Win. Fun as heck on paper and the little critters.

 

[Tikkabuck]

I built my 7mm-08 just for this and I couldn't be happier. Now what to build next ? LOL I used a Mauser action,theres alot better out there but it works and I still had some $$$$ left for ammo.

 

[bcunnin1]

I don't hand load can I buy factory ammo in small enough loads for varmits in 7mm-08?

 

[firefox]

bcunnin1,
I've been itchin to use one of my AR's in the coyote fields and deer woods. Thing is I can't find the time. If you want to shoot a few different types of AR's and a couple different long-range type .308's drop me a PM and we'll see if we can meet up. I have plenty of ammo!!!

 

[bcunnin1]

Where are you located at firefox. I am in the same boat I want an AR just sorta to have one and my excuse is I can use it to predator hunt.

 

[Cull Buck Hunter]

I love my Bushmaster of yote hunting, but around here I usually end up in a shotgun area. I would go 243wssm in a Browning A-bolt, I had one and they shoot really good. The factory produces 55gr,95gr and 100gr loads. I used it on deer and it works good. If you reloaded I would say 243win. It's been a while, but Browning made a semi-heavy barrel in the A-bolt, almost bought one. The reason I say I had one is a friend borrowed the gun and asked what I wanted for it, I threw out a really high number and he bought it, I did'nt even want to sell it, but if you make a price your obligated to sell if the guy starts counting out $100's.

 

[bcunnin1]

I have been looking at AR's I like Rock River they also have carried a good rep from people I have talked to. Question now is should I get .223 or get a 308 they make all kinds of AR calibers should I stick traditional or get something else? Can I expect decent groups from a regular AR or would I need to look at the match grade barrels?

 

[firefox]

I hear if you can figure out how to type on the internet you can figure out how to build an AR just how you like!