Not sure what to go with

[car]

Hi guys. I'm going to put this question out there to see what you would do.

I will be moving from Ohio to the eastern part of Wyoming in 3 years. I plan on doing alot of shooting, prairie dogs coyotes, antelope and mule deer with the gun I 'm looking for.

I now have a older Rem 700 in 222 that shoot real good. A Rem 788 in 243 that is ok and a Rem 700 7RM I use for mostly big game.

What I am looking for is something to fill the gap between the 222 and the 7mm.

I was thinking I would use the 222 for shots out to 500 yards on dogs and coyotes. I know I can't use the 222 on antelope and deer so I was looking for something to reach out a little farther on varmint and be able to use this rifle on deer and antelope, thinking along the line of a 25-06. I will be reloading too.

I would like to keep the total price under $700 to $800 with a good scope. I hope I'm not asking for too much for the money.

Thanks for your help. car

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Tikka T-3 in 6.5x55 or .270 and a Leupold vxII.

Steve

 

[snowpro440]

filling the gap huh? I know the 243 will go to 1k yards with no problem . That 243 is the gap between the 222 an 7mag . The 243 is a very capable round too.It comes in a nice light-weight form for walking all day an shooting or hiking those hills . I would think twice before I bought something else and if all else ..buy another 243...just my opinion ever check out the savage rifle an scope combo's?

 

[acloco]

Probably could not go wrong with a 30 caliber...as in a 308 or 30/06. Even a 270 would be about right. In fact, the 270 would be my choice with 130 gr bullets.

 

[liltank]

260 Rem, 6.5x47 Lapua, 243 Win., 257 Roberts, 25-06, 6.5-06, 308, 7mm-08, 270 Win, 270WSM, 6.5x284 Norma, 284 Win, all very good choices.

Of the ones listed above, 270 Win, 7mm-08, 260, 284 Win, 6.5x284. All handle the heavier bullets well for bucking the winds and effective to 800 yards for deer and antelope. IMHO. The 7mmRM that you already have will get you farther.

Because you already use 7mm bullets, the 284 and the 7mm-08 would allow you to dip into your current stock of bullets.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FXP3

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11FYXP3

If you could afford to do it, sell the scope that comes with the rifle and get a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 or the Bushnell Elite 3200. Vortex has a
nice scope that would work well: http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-crossfire-8-32x50-ao-riflescope-fine-v-plex-wide-reticle

Tank

 

[roninflag]

the 7mm mag is an excellent antelope gun. i load 120 grain bullets and is is great; biggest deer i ever shot was with a 120 7mm. if you don't handload i would invest in that. for me the gap you are talking about is either a 243 or a 22-250. tikka heavy barrel

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I have a 25-06 and just love it. For a factory rifle, I would look at the SS Sub MOA Vanguards (just over $800 on gunbroker). 25-06 and 270 WSM are great cartridges. The 270 WSM is very close to the 7 mag. The 25-06 would be more of a "gap filler". The 6.5 cartridges are nice but not many factory offerings other than the 264 WM.

Check out the new Vortex Vipers with MOA reticles unless a NF is in your budget

Mark

 

[car]

I don't want to go any larger than I have to because of the recoil. Plan on shooting alot of prairie dogs lol

 

[Chas1]

I agree with snowpro440 on the 243 filling the gap for the most part but, I wouldn't be using at it out to 1000 yards. IMHO I'd say the 222 for varmints out to 500 and 7mm RM on varmints past 500 and on deer and antelope from 0-800 yards with good shot placement. Thus I don't see a gap. Doesn't sound like your too crazy about the 243's accuracy so you could sell it and take the money and upgrade some component/s on the 7rum...like a new scope if you'd like one or something. There are some good varmint bullets out there for 7mm RM.

 

[car]

About my 243, with it being the Rem 788 I never figured it would be as accurate as the Rem 700s are. I never shot it that much. Hunting groundhogs with the 222 I could smoke them out to 500 yards with a 53gr match. That was several years ago. Now it is hard to find a safe place to get a 500 yard shot.

I agree with snowpro440 on the 243 filling the gap for the most part but, I wouldn't be using at it out to 1000 yards. IMHO I'd say the 222 for varmints out to 500 and 7mm RM on varmints past 500 and on deer and antelope from 0-800 yards with good shot placement. Thus I don't see a gap. Doesn't sound like your too crazy about the 243's accuracy so you could sell it and take the money and upgrade some component/s on the 7rum...like a new scope if you'd like one or something. There are some good varmint bullets out there for 7mm RM.