Favorite Varmint Cartridge

[Jud96]

I m some what limited to prairie dog shooting but over the years have shot a few varmints common out in the western plains area. Some what the power of the scopes used matches the range , bullet path of the cartridge being used. Leupold 6.5-20 AO scopes are mounted on the 243 and 220 Swift rifles. Leupold 6-18 AO scopes are on 223 ,204 Ruger, and 17 Fireball rifles. Burris 4.5-14 AO scopes are mounted on 17 Rem, and 17 HMR rifles. A Burris 4-16 AO scope is on a 221 Fireball rifle. Leupold 4-12 AO scopes are on 17 HM2 and 17 Hornet rifles. I have a few other brand lower cost scopes Weaver, Browning, and Simmons. I got a new Nikon Monarch 4-16 AO scope to try out . Years ago I put Leupold scopes on my big game rifles , never had a problem with them so I end up using them on most of my varmint rifles. But I have not had a problem the other brands that I have. Most of the time there seams to be some wind where I shoot , I don't like missing so I don't do much shooting at prairie dogs over 400 yards even with the 220 Swift and 243 Win rifles. My favorite scope is the Leupold VX-II 6-18 X40 MM AO scope for prairie dog shooting...

I like Leupolds but they're so expensive and it seems you can get a better scope for the same price. Don't think I won't buy another Leupold, but for the money, I'm liking the Vortex scopes. I want to try out the new Vortex HS-T 6-24x50, my next light varmint rifle may have a 6.5-20x50 Vortex Viper topped on it.

 

[Jud96]

Anyone have any experience with a 6mmBR Remington or 6x45? Thought about building one of these for 0-300yd shots and shooting 75gr V-MAXs in it.

 

[tuck2]

Jud 96: What muzzle velocity will you get out of the 6MM wildcat rifles ? For years I v reloaded Hornady 75 GR HP in my accurate 243 Win rifle w/ Leupold 6.5 - 20 X AO scope. I shoot prairie dogs at 400 yards with it. The little 223 Rem -6 MM case may not give you the bullet velocity need for shooting at 300 yards but I don't know much about wild cat rounds.

 

[Jud96]

Jud 96: What muzzle velocity will you get out of the 6MM wildcat rifles ? For years I v reloaded Hornady 75 GR HP in my accurate 243 Win rifle w/ Leupold 6.5 - 20 X AO scope. I shoot prairie dogs at 400 yards with it. The little 223 Rem -6 MM case may not give you the bullet velocity need for shooting at 300 yards but I don't know much about wild cat rounds.

The 6x45 will push 75s close to 3000fps. A 6mmBR Remington will launch those 75s near 3200fps. This should be plenty for out to 300yd shots.

 

[Rem700]

Anyone have any experience with a 6mmBR Remington or 6x45? Thought about building one of these for 0-300yd shots and shooting 75gr V-MAXs in it.

I have a 6BR....i love it! It's such a sweet round. Just make sure you go with a 1:8 twist barrel. For the 6BR a 1:10 twist will shoot the 75gr but is too slow to stabilize the heavier bullets (90+) with it. And the if you're looking for splat effect, it's not really gonna happen with it the 6BR. I am gonna switch mine to 95gr Berger Hybrids When the weather breaks.gun)

 

[Jud96]

I have a 6BR....i love it! It's such a sweet round. Just make sure you go with a 1:8 twist barrel. For the 6BR a 1:10 twist will shoot the 75gr but is too slow to stabilize the heavier bullets (90+) with it. And the if you're looking for splat effect, it's not really gonna happen with it the 6BR. I am gonna switch mine to 95gr Berger Hybrids When the weather breaks.gun)

I really like this little cartridge. I honestly would make it a 1:10 twist to stabilize the 75gr V-MAXs the best and maybe some 87grainers. I would like to launch 75s at 3200fps and an 87gr at 3000fps. I may look into the little 65gr V-MAXs for the splat factor and I plan to shoot under 300yds with it so BC doesn't matter to much. If I make it strictly for 65s I will make it a 1:12 twist though.

 

[Land Rover]

I really like this little cartridge. I honestly would make it a 1:10 twist to stabilize the 75gr V-MAXs the best and maybe some 87grainers. I would like to launch 75s at 3200fps and an 87gr at 3000fps. I may look into the little 65gr V-MAXs for the splat factor and I plan to shoot under 300yds with it so BC doesn't matter to much. If I make it strictly for 65s I will make it a 1:12 twist though.

Hey Jud, I have a 1942 #4 mk1 lee enfield 303-25 that shoots 75gr V-max at 3200fps. It's a 1:12 twist and very accurate.

cheers LR

 

[Jud96]

Hey Jud, I have a 1942 #4 mk1 lee enfield 303-25 that shoots 75gr V-max at 3200fps. It's a 1:12 twist and very accurate.

cheers LR

That is very cool! We have three Lee-Enfields and a Martini-Henry all chambered in .303 British. Our Enfields are all in excellent condition and so is the Martini-Henry. They all remain in military configuration and our Enfield collection includes a 1918 Lithgow #1 Mk.3, 1921 BSA #1 Mk.3, and a 1943 #4 Mk.1! They all are deadly accurate and very neat and fun to shoot!

 

[Bob the nailer]

Really liked my 22-250 for varmint work then the throat erosion ended that fun. Now a 22-284 has replaced that barrel and Wow talk about absolutely no recoil with 75grainers!

Almost went with the .224 Vais but I found a sweet deal on the 22-284 reamer.

 

[Packrat 6]

A few of the 22-250 victims had no exit (50gr Blitzking, 3850MV). Liquified inside, but no pelt damage - good additions for my wife's groundhog coat. Can't wait to surprise her with it.

Got a question about that Groundhog coat. If I get one for my wife does that mean I won't see her every winter until February and maybe a little longer? If so, How do I get one? No Groundhogs in Arizona...........................

BTW All of you shooters know that Packrats ARE a protected species, Right? (Well, maybe except in Texas) Your favorite weapon for Packrats ought to be a 1955 Red Ryder BB gun with a broken mainspring!.....LOL

Packrat

 

[ATH]

No experience wit varmints; planning a pdog hunt next fall. Reading this thread excites me for the 243AI I am currently building. 105 amax and 87 vmax.

 

[Jud96]

No experience wit varmints; planning a pdog hunt next fall. Reading this thread excites me for the 243AI I am currently building. 105 amax and 87 vmax.

Excellent choice! If I was building a full on custom varminter it would most likely be a .243 AI. Its a very efficient cartridge and components for the parent case are everywhere. Should be able to push 87s around 3400fps and 105s at 3200fps with a 26" barrel! That's wicked on varmints haha!

 

[lewwetzel]

Got a question about that Groundhog coat. If I get one for my wife does that mean I won't see her every winter until February and maybe a little longer?

Only problem with that: she'll only want to mate once a year.

 

[Jud96]

Got a question about that Groundhog coat. If I get one for my wife does that mean I won't see her every winter until February and maybe a little longer?

Only problem with that: she'll only want to mate once a year.

Hahaha then you'll have a litter of kids!