opinions on a remmy 700 VTR 223 as a 500+ gun

[GoodOlBoy]

Wondering if anybody had an opinion (or several opinions) about using a remmy model 700 VTR 223 for 500+ (both paper and for yotes). 22" triangular ported barrel 1 in 9 twist.

I am saving my pennies for mine right now.

GoodOlBoy

[Jack]

To me, any of the .224 cartridges that shoot conventional weight bullets (50-55 gr) are 400 yard rifles, at best.
Why? Try seeing a 55 grainer bullet strike in an alfalfa field at 500+.. .
Maybe you never miss, but I do, and seeing the bullet strike is the indicator you need to be able to correct and have the 2nd shot hit.
IME, when you get to 400 yards, or even a bit before, you need an 80 grain bullet or more to make enough fuss when it hits the ground to be able to see it.
If that rifle is set up for 80 grainers, and that's what you intend to use, it should work.
I own and use a 22-250 with 55's, but not at ranges of 400 or more. I use a 243 with 87 Hornady V Max bullets when the range exceeds 400.

[petey]

Jack said it in a nutshell. Longest ghog I killed with a .223 was at 502 or 506 yards (can't rightly recall), BUT it took me 6 shots and that's b/c i couldn't see where the bullet was hitting. I assumed high as the hog never moved. I kept dropping clicks until she hit her mark, 5 shots later.

I like the big bores sluggin like 180 grains of lead. You have no problem seeing where you hit out past a 1000 yards.

Like Jack said, around 80 - 100 grains you can actually see where the bullet hits. That's typical of PA hunting grassy fields, but it may not be an issue in TX dirt though. The .223 is a good choice on Coyotes though, as it's the round I always seem to use when I'm shooting at those critters.

[GoodOlBoy]

Dunno where I am gonna find Texas Dirt unless I dig up my yard or I go to far WEST Texas. Understand that around here unless you are hunting a cow pasture or hay field alot of places are upland, or lowland mixed hardwoods and pine. And much of that is more dense than jungle scenes from war movies.

Alot of ranchers around here have yote problems, and I think its about time I take advantage of those opportunities. Out towards west Texas there are some counties that offer bounties. Once I get my calling and tactics down here think I will see about heading out there and collecting some coin.

Headed to the lonestar convention center in Conroe this weekend to the Saxet gunshow. Gonna see if I can't get me a VTR for half of MSRP.



GoodOlBoy

[Skinny Shooter]

I got to fondle one of them two nights ago.
Interesting gun.
This may sound strange coming from me but have you considered Savage? http://www.savagearms.com/12Varminter.htm
At least their bolt handles won't fall off.

The VLP 223 comes in 1in9 and 1in7.
Or you could get a 243. Load heavy for the long shots and load 55gr screamers for close.
I have the 243 VLP and love it.

[bulletpusher]

I've been trying to tell him, but then I'm his father and we all know how that works.

All kidding aside, at 300-400 yrds the .223 should be just the bees nees for a yote rifle. I'm the one going with him to the gun show since it may be one of the last for a long time to come with the new adm. in office soon.

Got a Savage Model 10 Predator picked out if I can find one with the right price.

Bulletpusher

[Catfish]

I have 2 coyote gun that I use most of the time. My AR in .223 which I refer to as my up close and personal gun. It shoots point blank to abt 260 yrds. and by holding over I can do reasonably good to 300 or so. My other is a .22-6mm. I call it my reach out and touch them gun. I have a drop chart out to 1,000 yrds. on the stock and with no wind should do reasonably well out there. 500 to 600 yrds. in a 10 mph. wind is do able. I`m pushing an 80 gn. .22 cal. Bullet at 3,350 fps. I can get a couple hunderd fps. more but accuracy drops of.
If I were going to try a .223 for 500 + I would go with an 8 twist and run 75 or 80 gn. bullets. You will need a good drop chart because if you zero at 400 yrds. you be around 21 in. low at 500 yrds.
If you really want to get serious about 500 + you need a high bc bullet and the faster you push it the better. I`ve got a friend that uses a 7mm mag. and a .300 Win. short mag. for out there for coyotes.

[Mike Moss]

The .223 is too small of a cartridge for shooting at an animal like a coyote at that long range. Get a bigger cartridge.

[FIJI]

I've been looking for a yote/dog gun and have been led toward the 22-250 (Savage ?)

My opportunites to hunt out west are somewhat limited and I'm looking for something out to about 400yds.... shooting strictly factory ammo


suggestions ?

mahalo

[Larryjk]

I read recently the Marine Corps is looking for M14s to use in Iraq. They want a rifle capable of hitting a man size target up to 800 yds. and neutralizing it (as in kill). The problem; a president called Clinton made sure most of the M14s went under the torch when they were taken out of service. (He and the little lady didn't like Marines, if you remember). It sounds like they finally realize a .224 bullet may be fine for short range, jungle warfare but not suited to long range, open terrain shooting. (I'm not blaming this lack of foresight on the Marines, but on higher brass).
So, is the .223 Rem a long range caliber? I don't think so!

[Catfish]

Fiji,
You can`t go wrong with a Savage. Caliber? The .22-250 or the .243 would both do well at 400 yrds., you will need a range finder and a drop chart even if your going to just hold over. You will also start to have some wind drift issues, but nothing you can`t handle.

[FIJI]

which would give me more factory ammo options ?

is one significantly more $$ to shoot than the other - or basically a wash?

[Larryjk]

The .223 is a poor cartridge for any kind of killing at 500+ yards, no matter what rifle it is being fired in. The 22-250 will reach out much better, depending on what you want to shoot. I have never shot an eastern coyote, but a western desert coyote is a tough bird. I would want a .243 with an 80 grain bullet if you are going to stay with factory ammo. 500 yards is a long way, and you don't want those dogs flopping down, only to jump up and run away when you get about 50 yards downrange from your shooting point. They try it all the time around here. Most of our federal predatory animal personnel use either a 22-250 or a 243.

[GoodOlBoy]

Well the gun show didn't have it. 4 pawn shops didn't have it. 5 gunshops/sporting good stores didn't have it. And the four that could and WOULD order it can't get it because their suppliers are sold out. . . . . CRUD

GoodOlBoy

[Evan03]

i agree with jack.

22s realy need 1/8 or 1/7 barrel and 80 or 90gr berger vlds