What would be suitable rifle to use on jackal and baboon over long distances (200m). The ammo needs to be cheapish and easily available. The rifle needs a high degree of accuracy. Any ideas chaps ? .222 or .223 etc

Military surplus rounds or black market have to be cheaper than anything else, and probably more available. What's commonly used where you live?

.223 has got to be more available than .222 and has got to be be cheaper, too. 7.62X39 (AK round) or the .308 (7.62 NATO)--any of these should take care of a baboon, I would think. 7.62 NATO is a little overkill for jackal but will certainly do the job.

Let us know what kinds of rounds you can find there, OK?
Shotgun

I'm pretty much in agreement with shotgun.

About the least expensive and most common ammunition to loacte is probably gonna be Military 5.56mm. Military surplus ammo is supposedly NOT to be fired in SAAMI or civilian chambered .223 Rem. rifles though; apparently there is a difference although the considerbale amount I've poked through my vintage Heym Model 40 L/H hasn't led me to belived I'm flirting with distaster. Would be more than adequate for Jackals out to about as far as you can engadge them.

If I was gonna do the Baboons though I'd opt for the .308 Winchester; 7.62 NATO Military surplus ammo may also be available and Mexican Match wouldn't be out fo the question either if was required - so the Jackals get a bit of overkill.....?

.223,.308,7x57 are all readily available but in my opinion the 7x57 and .308 are a bit of an over kill. you could easily kill both at close range with a 22hornet or even a .22 , but i think the best choice would be the .223

The problem with 5.56 in 223 chambers is that the NATO ammo is loaded to pressure using a longer leade (like a Weatherby).

Here's a pictue for comparison:

.223 ought to do it.

George

I see that the initial question was "what rifle". Now you may be asking about caliber, I'm going to continue to suggest any of the 3 military calibers above and that you consider either a good bolt action, or a high quality automatic like the AR15 with a scope sight. Lots of bolt actions around in .223 & 308 and easily will mount a scope. I wouldn't worry a whole lot about using 5.56MM military spec in a .223 from a mauser-type bolt action. Some bolt actions are chambered in the 7.62X39 AK round and that would be much more accurate than you would find in an AK-47. Semiautomatics that can be easily scoped include the AR-15 or it's clones DPMS or Bushmaster; all make .223's and DPMS makes a .308--all are superbly accurate. I think all would kill a baboon reliably, with a center of chest shot. JMHO.
Shotgun