Groundhog shoots, 600yd benchrest, and varmint rifle caliber

[Kory87]

Hello all,

I'm trying to figure out a decent caliber that can be used for the above applications. I am currently looking at the .22-243, 6mm rem AI, 6ppc (.262nk), 6br (.265nk). Im looking to be shooting a 52-105gr. varmint bullet. Am hoping to shoot P-dogs at ranges from 400 yards and up, except for the ppc which would be more of a 500 and under rifle. But just wanting to know what you guys think. I also think the 6-250 might be cool but have never seen one of these and havent found much info on them. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, along with any personal varmint rifles you have and really like, and what ranges/bullet you shoot.

Thanks,
Kory

 

[steve stanley]

6br

 

[highscore]

Kory

For what you are talking about the 8 twist 6br is hard to beat. I currently shoot 2 br's, a 6x47L, and a 223 in 500 yard groundhog shoots and the br seems to be the best. It is very easy to find a load for and it has exceptional barrel life. Give this a try and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Dick Grosbier]

6br

Yep

 

[tricrown]

my opinion

Dick I have three 22BR barrels that are all shooting a good 2 points better than either of my two 8” Krieger 6BR barrels. After talking with Rod a few times it may be just a case of some mediocre 6mm barrels like he thinks he’s also got lately or a bunch of mediocre lots of 105 bullets because of all the jacket, design, and die confusion at Berger. Whatever the reason I know that my 2 Krieger 8” and my Hart 9” 22cals are more accurate. Just like my old 8” ratcheted Shilen Select was. I’ve had 4 good 22BRs in a row now.

The only negatives I’m finding on using the 22BRs over the 6BR, other than what’s suppose to be a slight BC loss that I can’t see, are the smaller holes they make. That’ll eventually cost you some points if you’d get a 22 that is of the same or less accuracy as a 6mm. But you’d pick up Xs at St Thomas. Seeing the shots out past 300 can be a problem if you have poor-average eyes and a budget that can’t afford one of the new hi-mag March scopes.

After seeing how you shoot those 30 and 6PPC short range guns, I can see where it’d be real tough on us all to have you show up with a dedicated multi-range medium distance bench gun on a breezy day. I don’t know what kind of varmint hunting you’d like to do with the gun. But in this game with near all the clubs following Williamsport’s lead on the 17lb weight limit on light guns, there’s no advantage to getting anything but a straight barrel. I’ve also found the fast twist 22BRs make for some very explosive kills on groundhogs with the smaller bullets like 55g Blitz Kings.

Now if you’re buying all the BS I’m slinging here and you’re looking for something different, I’ve been tossing around the idea getting a 22BR Lapua short Dasher, that'd be 22BR LSD or 22Hippie for short, made up just to get the shoulder and a full case. The long throated version could be called a draft dodger and the short throat for those little bullets that’d sway in the wind would be a cum-by-yah.

Later,
Bill Slattery Jr.

Edit: Dang. I saw Dick’s name in the “last post” title and went and read Kory’s first post thinking it was Dick’s post even though Kory signed it. New format has me more confused than usual.