Help me build a varmint gun

[ibboatin28]

So I need to build a gun for a good friend of mine who is not really sure of what to buy. He's given me the money (1K) to set one up for him. This will be used strictly for fox, coyote and groundhogs. I'm saying a bolt gun in 22-250 with a heavy barrel His only demand is blued and walnut not laminate. I'm not seeing any guns on the website that fits the bill. Any suggestions? I'd like to stay with Ruger obviously. The Hawkeye looks close but the barrel seems to be sporter weight.

 

[Bucks Owin]

.22/250 or .243 Win both have a proven varmit vaporizin' record..
The .243 is more versatile and has the varmit range of a Swift IMO...(Helped kill the fine .220 in fact.. )

Is he a handloader? :?

(BTW, this really belongs in the rifle section.. :wink

 

[ibboatin28]

he probably will hand load before long. I'll start him out on store bought loads at first....

 

[contender]

I have to agree that the 22-250 would be an ideal caliber for his uses.
As to what to get,, well, there are a lot of options,,,!

 

[nvbirdman]

Why not talk him into a Ruger #1-v ?

 

[ibboatin28]

That would probably stretch the budget as I need to get a scope in on that money too. I've always wanted to mess with one of those though... I might consider that...

How is the accuracy on them? Are they as good as a bolt gun?

 

[CraigC]

First suggestion might be to post this in the rifle forum.

 

[ibboatin28]

My bad. I thought it was...

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I am hard headed but have used a 22-250 for years. A fine rifle if the wind isn't blowing. The wind affects the bullets bad on a 22-250 I switched to a 243 using the 55 gr bullets and it does a lot better in the wind. So my suggestion would be a 243 instead of a 22-250. I also have a suggestion on the rifle to get. These aren't heavy barrels but are great shooters. I like them so much I bought 2 and both are super accurate little rifles. The gun I'm talking about is the remington youth model 700. They have short barrels but shoot amazing groups. I have 2 one a 308 and the other a 243. I replaced the youth stock on both rifles with full sized stocks. I have deer hunted for the last few years with the 308 and killed 5 deer with it all I head shot. The short rifle handles like a dream and both of mine shoot like varmit rifles for accuracy. I also have a winchester 243 varmit rifle but the little youth rifle shoots just as good and is a lot lighter and shorter. They handle a lot better than a full sized rifle and have become my favorite rifles because of their accuracy and easy handling

 

[Uncle Howie]

As much as I like heavy barrels... you might want to make sure you are on the same page as your buddy, regarding hunting styles.

I've got a heavy barrel Remington 700 in .223. It's great for prairie dogs, and calling predators from a fixed location, but it's NOT much of a "walking around" or "spot and stalk" gun.

Just make sure you put together something that will fit into his plans...

Good luck!

 

[CLAYPOOL]

The long barrels are not very good on the back of a 4 wheeler cased either, as they "Stick" out and catch on things...it can get expensive if you contact something at speed...had a frend bend a Itica(sp) model 37 shotgun barrel turkey hunting one morning..never did try it to see if we could shoot around corners..

 

[ibboatin28]

So what does everyone think of the No#1? Are they accurate?

 

[ibboatin28]

Thats the kind of info I'm hunting for...

Thanks..

 

[Major T]

Be sure to follow Uncle Howie's advice. See what your friend calls a varmint rifle. Example: I have five .22 center fires and a .243 that I use for varmints and NONE of them have a heavy barrel. one might go into a heavy sporter category. I only occasionally shoot prairie dogs to keep a town population in check and ground squirrels only get the .22 LR treatment. best wishes, jack

 

[ibboatin28]

Thanks for all the replies.