Just to add to the confusion, how about my personal favorite the 6mm rem. Last year I killed two yotes at 250yrds. with 75gr. v-max doing around 3400fps. dumped them in their tracks. For S---- and giggles this year I switched to 58gr V-max in front 0f 45.7gr of reloder 15 (max load), the book says this is smoking at 3800fps. I can't wait to see the results. (3/4 groups at 100 out of 700 bdl)

huntingstoneboy wrote:

Just to add to the confusion, how about my personal favorite the 6mm rem. Last year I killed two yotes at 250yrds. with 75gr. v-max doing around 3400fps. dumped them in their tracks. For S---- and giggles this year I switched to 58gr V-max in front 0f 45.7gr of reloder 15 (max load), the book says this is smoking at 3800fps. I can't wait to see the results. (3/4 groups at 100 out of 700 bdl)

The 6mm is my favorite .24 as well. I had 2 of them and gave them to my son's when they turned 12. That was about 18 & 20 years ago. They still use them for yotes and deer. The reloads that I worked up for them years ago, still perform just fine.

[quote]Would a 243 in 55gr. b-tip at 3900 or so do well over 300yds?
I get consistant groups of .75 inches or less at 100yds.[quote]

I just purchased a .243 Weatherby Vanguard to take down coyotes at long ranges. I am currently using a handload of Nosler 55gr BT with 45.1gr of Varget. The data says that this should have a mv of 3950+. I also get groups of <.75" @100yrds. If you want more accuracy, take this powder down to 43-43.5gr. It gives me groups <.6" @ 100yrds (mv is around 3600).
The only thing bad I can say about this load is that I get a very large muzzel flash the prevents me from seeing impacts at close ranges. I am planning on switching powders to eliminate this. I am also looking into using Speer Spitzer BTSP (BC of .404) to buck the wind and perhaps cause less damage to the pelts.

I don't know who this bullet would work over 300yrds; haven't had to take a shot at that distance. If I had had the money to buy a "varmint gun", I would take the Savage model 12. As I do a lot of walking, I didn't want that heavy of a gun. My Weatherby has "out of the box" accuracy that I have heard is better than a Remington 700. I haven't shot a 700 so I don't know if this is 100% true or not.

Remington has a new rifle out, you can get it in a .204, 22-250, or .223. I just bought the 250 at the bass proshop for $469.00. It's called 700 sps varmint. I love mine it shoots as good as anything that I've tried. The worst problem I've found is that Remington has redone their trigger and it's not nearly as ajustable as their old one. They went from the three screws down to two. My gun is stuck about 3.5 to 4 pounds.

tech spec man

One of the oft repeated myths about ballistics is that heavier bullets will actually shoot with less drop than lighter bullets in the same caliber, presuming the shape of the bullet is identical. No so. The lighter bullet at the higher velocity will typically continue to have less drop. This is due to time of flight and the initial velocity of the lighter bullet.

That said, lighter bullets are more effected by wind than their heavier counterparts. Lighter bullets have less residual energy when distances are extended. While those 55gr pills in 243 caliber centerfires can get some impessive velocities, their accuracy due to wind is less at extended ranges and the 55gr may become marginal energy wise in relatively shorter distances when compared with the 70 or 75 grain bullets.

I have a 22-250 model 12 Savage. I say do exactly that. I have no regrets. Shoots one big (or small) hole at 100 yards when I do my part. I liked the idea of the 204 but I did hear some opinions related to wind drift at 300+ yards. I think it is easier to find ammo and reloading components still for the 22-250 or 223. If you reload I would suggest the 22-250. If you don't then go 223. You can find some good deals (in relation) on military ammo. Or could...It is getting a little harder. Nonetheless, I love my Savage in 22-250. Can't go wrong. Not the prettiest to look at, but it sure shoots.

tech spec man

I run a 6mm Remington that gives me well over 4100FPS with the 55gr.B-Tips.

They work great out to about 325 yards. Beyond that those little guys like to dance around abit in the wind.

If I'm going somewhere I know the shots are likely to be longer I switch to the 70gr. B-Tips.

Ruger 44, you didn't mention whether or not you load your own ammo. Based on what you've said here I'd pick a .22-250 if I didn't reload and that or the Swift if I did. I say this because of availability of ammo.

Face it, anything that will reach out reliably to 300+ yards will also be loud.

Have you looked at the Burris scopes with the "Ballistic Plex"? I've got a couple and, with so far limited use, I like them.

I love my 204!! But I use it only on p-dogs. Now, my friend uses his on coyotes, and is really impressed with the new Hornady 45 Spire point. It penetrates much better on yotes than the 32 or 40 at ranges past 200 yds.

For yotes I just use my 6.5 x 55 Swede with 129 SST's at 2750 fps. (I do not save the hides).

Since you have APPROVAL to buy another gun it doesn't really matter which you buy. You already have a good one, I too have used my 30-06 on coyotes for years. I don't use the lighter bullets the 150's work just fine. I rarely shoot at 400+ yards, don't have to, they'll come closer. The 204 is a nice gun for small game and varmints, so are any of the 22's. The 6mm's will let you go up to deer sized game. Besdies in a couple of years when she gives another APPROVAL you can buy the the others anyway.

Welcome to the forums Mike!

Dimitri

I just finished a new upper for my AR for varmint hunting. I seen this post and had to let you fella's see mine. Its a DPMS flat top upper with DPMS free floating hand gaurd and I ordered a Krieger Custom barrel with a 1-12 twist, pre chambered and reciever extension installed by Krieger with a matching bolt. I also used a DPMS chrome bolt carrier. Took 3 months for the barrel to get here, I forgot I ordered it until the UPS guy dropped it off.

OH, that little upper is my home protection/ tin can hunting rifle.

That's a damn nice rifle you got there Crackshot. How much do you have into it? I like that kind of upper a lot more than the upper that is also in the picture not attached to anything.

Codybrown, The upper alone cost me almost $870.00 +/- with optics. The Custom ordered barrel cost $530.00 w/shipping. That was the most expensive single piece of the assembly. Second was the Timmney trigger group, Which was $195.00+ shipping. I love the new Timmney trigger. Breaks clean @ 2.3 Lbs. They sell them preset @ 3 & 4 lbs respectably.
That little upper is more fun than sex, I have a Ciener 22 long rifle conversion unit that I pop into it for the kids and they love it. And its light enough for them to shoot. The bull barreled option needs a benchrest or a strong adult to hold it up.

I like that AR, only thing that makes me not consider them as a possible rifle to buy is the fact they are Restricted and as such cant be used for hunting.

Crackshot, hows the bull barrel with a military type sling supporting it ??

By the way good for you getting your kids shooting!

Dimitri