Varmint Rifle for out to 600 yds

[Crow Terminator]

I doubt I can find many places to shoot out to 600 but for sure I would like to get in a sub $1000 varmint/predator gun. The biggest game I'd be shooting would be a coyote. I'm mostly wanting it for some long range target shooting but wouldn't pass up a good groundhog or yote either.

You guys got any gun model suggestions and caliber suggestions?

Was first looking at a Remington 700 SPS in 22-250. I read a few reviews on them and I think they are the cheap route into a varmint gun by what the reviews said. One said they couldn't get it under a .75 MOA at 100 until they put a HS stock on it. And that only dropped it to .50 MOA.

I'm looking for something in around a 24-26 inch medium/heavy or heavy barrel. NOT SILVER colored either. 600 yds would be my max effective range but I'd like tack driving accuracy from 100-200 yds. I know that starts getting iffy with sub $1000 guns but I'd rather not get way over my head in all of it.

 

[mr.big]

Rem 700 VLS 6mm Rem,,any factory twisted 22 will be iffy at 600,,I would look hard at the 6mm or the new Savage in 6.5-284.

I would take the 204 in front of any 22 but the way things are politically right now i would probablly settle for the PSS 223

 

[mike243]

savage 243

 

[megalomaniac]

Rem Sendero in 25-06. Just about impossible to find one not capable of 3/4 MOA right out of the box. Should be able to find one used in the $625-$650 range that will suit your definition of tack driver.

Actually, I've got a rem 700 VSSF (essentially the same as the sendero) in 22-250 for varmits. I bought it last year and haven't even shot it yet. I'm just about to start load development after deer season closes down here next month. I'm expecting 1/2 MOA after load development out to around 400. Not too sure how it'll perform past that, wind drift and energy loss will be substantial. But it may be a great 'crow terminator' at 600 yards. In any case, I'm betting it'll be a blast!

 

[vonb]

I've never owned one but people swear by Tikka for a relatively inexpensive rig that can shoot out of the box. With that said, I have a Sako .260 that promises as delivered and is as accurate as my heavy barreled tac rig. Anything in .243, .260, 7-08, .308 will have no problem getting you out to 600.

In terms of the Remington SPS route out of the box, I'd keep looking. I don't think it's going to get you there short of changing to a stock that allows for proper bedding.

 

[Hogbear]

Styer Pro Hunter in .243 is $630 + $20 shipping to your local dealer from this shop in Arkansas: http://www.hogsbreathfineguns.com/special_deals.htm

 

[TiminTN]

I have only owned a 243 Winchester in a BDL Varmint some years back, but it was the most accurate factory rifle I`ve ever shot. I shot 70 grain Ballistic Tips with IMR4320 and IMR4895.

I`m sure there are better rounds, but from my experience I`d buy another in a heartbeat.

I later bought a VLS in 243 with H4350 and Sierras 85 grain HPBT @3400 fps, it took an antelope, quite handily.

 

[Buckblaster]

.243 or 6mm rem

 

[RUGER]

7mm STW :D

 

[Whelen Man]

I bought one of the SPS tactical models with the 20 inch barrel from Benton Shooters. I've had no regrets about it. Accuracy is right at half MOA. It's going to be hard to get much better than that in a factory rifle. I wouldn't count on it for any long range shooting though with the caliber and short barrel. If I were going that route I'd go with a Sendero in either 243 or 25/06. The 25/06 could be used for a dandy long range deer rifle as well with proper bullets.

I load for a 22-250 Rem 700 ADL that likes the 40 grain bullets. It's not a lot for carrying up at long range but it sure shoots flat out to 300.

 

[8 POINTS OR BETTER]

I know you said under $1K but if I where wanting to shoot past 500 yards I would spend a little more and get a custom 6MM-284. Up to 500 yards I would get a heavy barrel Remington 700 with the H.S. stock in 220 swift.

 

[Crow Terminator]

WOW thanks guys. I had never even considered a .243 but it sure looks like it carries a big following. I just knew the .223 and 22-250 would have won out. That's surprising but that's why I asked on the forum. My dad has a Sendero .270 that is probably the best shooting gun I've ever shot. I liked it a lot better than the .308 VLS I had. But I didn't think they made the Sendero in .243? Actually I didn't even see a listing for a Sendero other than the SF version. Are the black barreled ones still available? Or would I have to track down a used one?

What model Savages do you guys like? My cousin bought a brush colored Savage a few months ago in .223 with AccuTrigger. I didn't like it AT ALL (the trigger)

 

[LCU]

for that pricerange it will be a heavy barrel gun.

 

[megalomaniac]

IIRC, the .243 was not available in the sendero. If you want to go the 25-06 route, you'll have to track down one of the used ones out there which were made in black matte. Again, should set you back around $625-$650, expect $700 if you don't have time to shop for one and wait.

What you are wanting there is not really a perfect caliber. 22-250 is the bomb under 300, but since you want to go out to 600, you'll probably need to step up a bit in power and BC. The great long range rig calibers may be a little too much on the other hand for under 200 yards on varmits.

 

[varmint1111]

If you want the most gun for the money look at savage firearms. I have a them in many calibers 22-250 thru 30-06 all will shoot 1/2 or better with my loads. Their not fancy, their working guns. As far as a great all around caliber the 300RUM is great, a 125 nosler ballistic tip @ 3800 fps is hard on yotes or deer.

 

[Kimberman]

243, 6mm, 260, or 25-06 for shots over 400. I just picked up some 87gr Vmax bullets for my .243, should make a dnady yote/groundhog bullet.

 

[rdl65]

Savage Model 12 LRPV

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Rem Sendero in 25-06. Just about impossible to find one not capable of 3/4 MOA right out of the box. Should be able to find one used in the $625-$650 range that will suit your definition of tack driver.

Actually, I've got a rem 700 VSSF (essentially the same as the sendero) in 22-250 for varmits. I bought it last year and haven't even shot it yet. I'm just about to start load development after deer season closes down here next month. I'm expecting 1/2 MOA after load development out to around 400. Not too sure how it'll perform past that, wind drift and energy loss will be substantial. But it may be a great 'crow terminator' at 600 yards. In any case, I'm betting it'll be a blast!

Yep

 

[Asaltwpn1]

Check out the 270 short mag. Great, flat shooting cal.

 

[Crow Terminator]

Would you guys change your suggestions if I were to change what I was going to be doing with it??

If I were to say mostly target shooting and occasional groundhog would it change any?

Where's a good place to look for used guns at? I thought about it today and I really do like the Sendero guns but they don't make them in a short action which are most of the calibers you guys suggested. But at the same time, if I could find a used 700 SPS for the right price, get an aftermarket aluminum bedded stock for it, would I not basically have a 22-250 or .243 short action Sendero for still under a grand?

 

[TiminTN]

Sendero is normally a long action, you want to look for the VSF, VSSF, VLS, just to name a few.

Do your search on Gunbroker.com for "Remington 700 243" and enjoy

 

[B Strong]

Go with the Savage , Get the cal you want , then buy as many barrels as you want for it . Takes about 15 min to change mine from 221 f ball , 222 rem , 25-06, 22-250 , 30 -06 . Have a 112 action ( long ) 2 bolts 1 with 222 head size and 1 with 30-06 head size . Scope mounted in weaver style mounts for each barrel . It is a great setup. and with the rifle basix 2 trigger works well.

 

[buckdead]

howa compact heavy barrel varminter. dont know about the guns long range accuracy but the .223 i shot was a half inch gun at 100 yds with me shooting it. i was impressed. I think it comes in .308 too. They make other varmint rifles that are a lil more expensive (like $800) and come in a lot more calibers (.204, .223, .22-250, .308, .243.)

 

[megalomaniac]

Would you guys change your suggestions if I were to change what I was going to be doing with it??

If I were to say mostly target shooting and occasional groundhog would it change any?

Where's a good place to look for used guns at? I thought about it today and I really do like the Sendero guns but they don't make them in a short action which are most of the calibers you guys suggested. But at the same time, if I could find a used 700 SPS for the right price, get an aftermarket aluminum bedded stock for it, would I not basically have a 22-250 or .243 short action Sendero for still under a grand?

Not a fan of the SPS... the matte finish on it will develop surface rust at the drop of a hat. Besides, if you get one for $400 (a 'good' price), you'll still be out $250 for a good HS stock, and you'll be at the same price for a lightly used Sendero (or PSS, or VLS if you want a short action). And the barrel on the SPS is of lesser quality as well.

24hr campfire has a used 25-06 Sendero SFII up for sale right now for around $850 IIRC. Of course, it's stainless with matte flutes, so it probably isn't exactly what you're looking for. Snipershide classifieds always have quite a few senderos/pss as well as longrangehunting classifieds. That's where I'd start looking.

 

[Akurn]

I see where Remington makes the Sendero in .264 Win. How does this round compare to the 25/06?

 

[Crow Terminator]

I'm not a fan of silver barrels either. The only two I had considered were the 700 SPS or 700 VSF.

The biggie was of course the stock config. Whatever I get has to be aluminum bedded. That of course puts me getting a new stock right off the bat with the SPS. I had picked out the Bell and Carlson Medalist Stock in either Black Spiderweb or Olive Green Spiderweb which runs about $240. But I thought if I could get a SPS for around $400 than that would put me under $700 for the gun the way I want it.

Now the 700 VSF is a nice gun out of the box. It would be perfect if it came in different color options. The HS stock is already aluminum bedded but it comes only in that awful desert tan color. So I would either have to get use to that color or order another stock for it. It looks like they are gonna run around the $700-$750 before stock change, which is my price range right now, and with the stock change that puts it right around $950-$1000. They'd make my life a lot easier if they juse had color options for it!!

I had a VLS in .308 but I wasn't a big fan of that thick fore end. I've not handled the VSF yet and it may be the same way...not sure. The VLS was a nice gun though but that is also a stock replacement deal with it.

I have been cruizing the websites looking at Senderos as well. I've yet to find one for under $900 (used btw) and all of them I've found have been silver fluted. Dad's .270 must have been one of the first Senderos they done cause it's black and not fluted.

 

[TiminTN]

Here is a super clean 25/06 like your Dads. Its been on there for a few days so you better hurry, Hes talking moving it to Gunbroker real soon.


http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthread ... w/1#UNREAD

 

[Physiksgeek]

Just bought this one - a Savage 12BTCSS. It's a varminter model in 223. Always had good luck myself with a Savage out of the box. 600 yards..?..be tough but I'm gonna give it every opportunity to prove to me it can. Looking for the optics now, I'll let you know what I find out. Good Luck to you!

 

[megalomaniac]

The HS stock is already aluminum bedded but it comes only in that awful desert tan color.

Actually, most come in black with grey spiderwebbing. Shouldn't be too hard to find

I had a VLS in .308 but I wasn't a big fan of that thick fore end.

Most will have the wider forearm for 2 reasons: to accomodate the heavier barrel and to sit better on bags for target shooting and varmit shooting. It won't really matter if you put a Harris bipod on the front for varmit hunting.

I have been cruizing the websites looking at Senderos as well. I've yet to find one for under $900 (used btw) and all of them I've found have been silver fluted. Dad's .270 must have been one of the first Senderos they done cause it's black and not fluted.

Actually the very first Senderos were matte black and fluted (back in '94 or '95). Next came the black matte unfluted barrels. Then the SF (stainless fluted) models came out. Last were the SFII models.

 

[Whelen Man]

My sendero was one of a limited run they did a few years back with blued metal and a laminated stock. The laminated stock isn't so wide as the current synthetic stocks and the brown color and checkering make for a good looking rifle. It's in 7mm Remington Magnum and with little 120 bullets really reaches out with a flat trajectory.

Why do you want the Aluminum bedding block? I've got both and really can't say that an aluminum block that is skim bedded is any more accurate than a properly bedded stable stock without it. That would open your choices a lot. Everybody has their preferences though so make sure if you spend this much money that you're happy. Happy Shopping!