New Varmint Build

I ended up going with a 243 AI, barrel should be in about a month. I'm just tagging along dreaming about my next laser beam.

Curious, why are you going 243 Ack Imp instead of 6-284?? The 6-284 offers a little more performance but with zero fireforming.
 
Curious, why are you going 243 Ack Imp instead of 6-284?? The 6-284 offers a little more performance but with zero fireforming.

I thought about the 6-284 and would like to have one. I'm trying to save some money on gunsmithing and bought a criterion remage barrel I can install myself. They do not offer the 6-284 as a standard chambering. I want to see how accurate these barrels are because I can use them on future projects.
 
I have a 20 practical lefty built on a Savage 10..The barrel is Shilen match grade. Twist 1-10. It shoots .5 inch groups at 100. 2 inch at 425 yds. The bottom is CDI so I have ten round magazines for prarie dogs. Easy to see the hits as there is no recoil to mention.
My load is 40 grain vmax chronied at 3700 fps.
 
I have a 20 practical lefty built on a Savage 10..The barrel is Shilen match grade. Twist 1-10. It shoots .5 inch groups at 100. 2 inch at 425 yds. The bottom is CDI so I have ten round magazines for prarie dogs. Easy to see the hits as there is no recoil to mention.

I'm thinking 20 practical might be my next PD rig. I like the idea of a 10 round mag. I've already got a thumb-hole stock. Now if I could just find a left handed 223 action.
 
I'm thinking 20 practical might be my next PD rig. I like the idea of a 10 round mag. I've already got a thumb-hole stock. Now if I could just find a left handed 223 action.

That's my current build! Oh, resizing from .223 to .20 Practical is so very easy and LC brass is kinda plentiful, I think...LOL
 
I've got 5 Swift's & have had many more. If you ever get/own a Swift, you'll forget about all the wildcat's you have to fire form for & this & that. Been shooting Swift's since the early 80's and it's the finest caliber I've ever shot. At one time or another I've had bunches of different caliber rifles from 17's to 243's but IMO nothing beats my Swifts. On days wind is a concern I go to my Cooper 243 with 70-80 grain bullets. Stepping down sometimes, I go for my 221 Fireball.
You mentioned twist. My 1-14 Swift's will stabilize the 60 Sierra HP if I push it fast enough but most all love 52 Berger's with RL15 or IMR4064.
Try a Swift someday, you won't regret it.

JD222
 
Gents,

I'm wanting to build a new varmint gun mostly for prairie dogs, a yote or 2 and shooting steel. I've always wanted a .220 swift that that's what I'm thinking (I already have a 22-250 so drop it). I want something very flat and fast so I'm thinking 1-14" or 1-12" twist to shoot little bullets fast. I'm not planning on using turrets, just hold over. Most of the varmint shooting I do is 400 yds or closer. I'm a lefty so I'm looking for suggestions on an action (I want a SS remington 700 but can't find a left hand). Also any reason I would need a different chambering or a long aciton?

Thanks,

Hey Blue,
How about a 22 WSSM! They were available in left-hand from both Winchester and Browning, and they can be found CHEAP on auction houses! I have had several and they are great firearms and very accurate...I had a preference for the 243 WSSM, not quite the heat on the barrel as the 22. If speed is what you are looking for in a left-handed .224 caliber rifle, don't think you could beat what you get in the Browning/Winchester WSSM offering.
JMHO,
Lichen Slayer
 
morning, the best of the varmint calibers has spoken. really surprised
at the # of 243 shooters. I saw a varmint hunter on video shoot a dog at
800-900yrs with a 243AI. pretty shot.
Randy Anderson video. TUM
 
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