Was interested in gettting a rifle specifically for varmints. wanted to shoot out to around 400yards on a good day. Weight isnt a huge issue but dont want something thats 20pounds either, spotting my own shots would be an advantage.

Was thinking of a 25-06 but i dont know if i would be able to spot my own shots?

what do you think?

How often do you think you will shoot 400yds? If it's hardly ever then 22-250 is my fav. If 400yds is the norm or you will shoot to 400 and maybe even 400+ 6mm would be my choice.

Don't overlook a 22-250 and 243 Winchester when making your selection. Both are mucho good!!!

Don

To spot your own shots a 223 would be much better.
It is much cheaper to operate, wether you reload or not.
Get one in a fast twist from savage or stevens (one in nine)and it would be a very economical first rifle, if you don't like it you can sell it the next day!
Before the 22-250 guys jump on me, remember, a 223 shooting a long bullet(65 to 75 grains) will have a LOT more wallop left at 400 yards than a slow twist 22-250.
Just my thoughts,
Cdog.

You didn't say what size varmints...
p/dogs....coyotes/fox...crows ??
Handload or factory ammo ??
The 223 is very hard to beat....ammo/components are much cheaper...reloading components are very available...recoil is not a factor...spotting your hits from a 25-06 burning 57 grains of powder isn't going to happen...20 rapid fire shots in mid July in a p/dog field will have your barrel steaming hot..not fun..another negative is the muzzle blast...the 25-06 has its place...but for a one gun varmint rig...think 223..222..221...204...you'll be much happier...rifle selection ?? My factory choices would be Savage..Tikka or CZ...all very accurate rifles right out of the box..The CZ has alot of options..laminate stocks...smaller calibers...221..222..223 for example..along with the wonderful single set trigger...usually very nice wood...Savage or Tikka offer a good selection also...

As much as I love 22-250, I'd give serious thought to the fast twist 223 also. You'll save a few cents on brass & powder, but you will save a bunch on barrel heat allowing much more shooting at any one time.

If you like the velocity game, then the 22-250 or 220 Swift should be your choice. There is nothing like watching a rabbit sized target do a full reverse gainer w/layout! As stated by others above, don't overlook the 6m/m family either as heavier bullets will always do better in the wind.

Unless it weighs close to 20 pounds you'll have a very difficult time spotting your own shots with a 25-06. For any kind of volume shooting the recoil will quickly become tiring. For a rifle, take a good long look at the Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter. It is available in 22-250, 223 (either standard or fast twist barrel), and 204 Ruger. The 204 gives high velocity, low powder consumption and recoil, and would be my recommendation.

it will be used on crow sized animals, rabbits and hares too if you know what size they are.

Im currently using a 280imp for it and it seems a little over kill to me.
I know if i had a 25-06 i deffinately wouldnt be spotting my own shots!

I had considered a 223..hmmm more thought is needed on the subject.

oh the 280 is all i own too.

Gidday Paul,
Checkout Trademe, There are a coupe of HB 243s and a Sako HB 243 varminter there at the mo.

Using a mates BSA HB in 243 I can watch head shots on hares and bunnies through the 12 power scope he has because if the weight. The results are spectacular especially when using those speer 70gr TNTs on magpies. Instant feather duster.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

Put a good brake on a 25-06 and recoil will be closer to the 22-250, plus you will be able to spot shots.

depending on the varmit - 2506 is to much gun for high volume PD shooting.

Going by your description a 204 ruger will fill the bill nicely.

Hey Mate ; My $.0025 worth of input , 22-250 or .223 depending on your preference .

For Dingo and down sized animals either one is more than capable slight advantage goes to 22-250 slightly more range and a little more power , but not so what ever your shooting is going to know the difference .

What ever you decide on getting ? get a Quality Rifle and ditto with the scope !.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Have both a 223 and a 243 and thinking of adding a 26-06
for the really tough shots in the wind here in the desert Southwest...the 223 is my ranch rifle that goes along in the truck with a 3-9 Monarch scope on it..oh, its a AR-15 variety for running coyotes...and jacks...then the 243 wears a 4-16 scope and is for longer shots...would probably put same scope on 26-06 as well...

Then again, no one has mentioned my favorite,,,220 Swift. Reach out and touch them.
Watch them explode too.

223 gets my vote, check out my CZ pics on here. PS I also have a 25-06AI Cooper which is my looong range yote rifle, would never use it for pdogs, it might see 2 or 3 shots where as the 223 you can blast all day with appropriate cooling periods.

quote:

Originally posted by lofter:
Going by your description a 204 ruger will fill the bill nicely.

Without question!

Three years ago I had a similar need. I bought a Savage 12FV in 223. Its heavy barrel takes a long time to heat up, I shoot it between my bigger rifles. It is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. It is known at camp as the Self Esteem Gun! Ammo and components are easy to find.

I got bored with it and lent it to a friend, but I will get it back.

I'ver got a Ruger .243 that just loves 65 gr V-max bullets. It will outperform my .223 Stevens at long ranges all day long. But not all .243s will shoot the light bullets well. Mine does.

quote:

Originally posted by bja105:
Three years ago I had a similar need. I bought a Savage 12FV in 223. Its heavy barrel takes a long time to heat up, I shoot it between my bigger rifles. It is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. It is known at camp as the Self Esteem Gun! Ammo and components are easy to find.

I got bored with it and lent it to a friend, but I will get it back.

im looking into, i like the sound of savage have heard alot good about them! looks about ideal. if i were going this route, 12fv or 12fvss? i like stainless but dont know about those flutes

For a pure varmint rig I'd go 22-250. Fantastic cartridge. I have a three friends who went 22-250 for their rigs and all shoot in the 3/4" range from the bench.

Me personally, I'm working up an AR15 in .223. Why? Because I live in Cali and since I can, I'm doing it! The .223 is plenty good out to 300 yards and the areas I hunt are all pretty much 300 yard MAX areas. Not much need for me to go with more gun.

Unfortunately I'm still working on my AR teething problems (learning the rifle, etc.) - but I'm very confident that it should shoot sub moa in no time!

I like the 6x45 and you can spot your own shots with it, and it works very well at 400 yards. I like the 60 gr. Sierra at about 3200 FPS for the smaller varmints, it mist them...

I've used the following varmint rifles:
.222
.223
.22-250
.225 Win
.220 Swift
.243
6mm Rem
6X45
.243 SRC
.257 Roberts
.25-06
.257 weatherby

My favorite (by far) is .223 Rem for shots to 300 yards and if I wanted to stretch it to 400 I like the 6mm Rem.

In a relatively calm day the .22-250 will do both!

For the critter sizes that you described, the 204 would be my favorite choice.

quote:

Going by your description a 204 ruger will fill the bill nicely

Yep, if by spotting your shots, you mean watch the hits through the scope, then the 204 ruger is your only choice. Even with a 223 there is enough recoil to put the scope off target. With a mates 204, no such problem though.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul from nz:
Was interested in getting a rifle specifically for varmints... wanted to shoot out to around 400yards on a good day... spotting my own shots would be an advantage.


what do you think?

If you are somewhere you can get the ammo, or you load your own, 204 Ruger.
JMHO.

Not to be a smart ass , but in New Zealand, how big is this "varmint", of which you speak? Down under a roo is a varmint!

243. IMO, the 25-06 is too much for a hugh volume, dedicated varmint rifle. If most shots will be under 300 yds I would chose the 223. Lou

Unless you are doing something like prarie dog hunting, I think the 25-06 is about as good as it gets. I hunted with 223 and 243 for groundhogs for a long time. Used sandbags and all that jazz. I really enjoy using a 25-06 and shooting from the prone position. Think it has made a better overall shot.

buy a savage varmint rifle with their ACCUTRIGGER.
flip a coin Paul,on the 223 remington,or the 22-250 remington. you win eather way!

the 25-06 is one heck of a flat shooting round but to much recoil to sea your hits,........it would have to weigh 16 pounds for you to sea your hits. i own a normal weight 25-06 with a brake and cant sea my hits during recoil.

i'm bias my custom 223 varmint has me Spoiled,
cheers & beers keep us posted,regards

.204 or a tact 20

I just love my Ruger M77 .243 I don't know if all .243s shoot such a wide range of bullets so well, but mine handles the 55 gr through the 85 grains with extreme accuracy and it shoots the 90-100 grs with better than needed deer accuracy. It particularly loves the 65 gr V-max with Varget powder. This is my varmint load for 400+ yds. I use 80 gr Speer Hotcor for deer--kills them dead every time. The recoil is mild. Reloading components are abundant. The variety of loads possible exceeds most everything else in this size range.