Author Topic: What is your favorite small bore rifle? (Read 5061 times)

bigjeepman · « **on:** March 06, 2005, 03:48:15 PM »

I know a lot of you have several small bore rifles including myself. Which one is your favorite and why? Which one could you "not" do without? Are our favorites going to tend to be our most "accurate" small bores or are there some having sentimental values that exceed the need to be the best?

My favorite up until 3 weeks ago was my Ruger .243. This is one tack driving rifle that still boasts of my smallest 3 shot group ever of .147" @ 100 yards. That group was with factory Federal 70 gr ballistic tips that I have never been able to duplicate or exceed with my reloads. My favorite small bore now (at least until my next purchase) is my Savage 10 FP in .223 Remington. Oh my ... can this rifle group 55 gr Noslers ... oh yeah. I put a B&C desert tan stock on it and it is an absolute pleasure to shoot and reload for. I also have my best scope on this rifle ...a Bushnell Elite 4200 in 6-24x40.

Okay ... let the games begin ... what do you guys like best?

sprest22 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2005, 03:11:05 AM »

Gotta go with my Win 70 in 25-06 and the Leupold 2-7x33,I think it is a great set up and great all around hunting gun.Oh yeah,it shoots pretty good too. :grin:

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2005, 04:38:56 AM »

CZ 527 American. Definatly not my most accurate. That honor falls on my Remington VS, a cold ugly rifle if ever there was one, just a mean shooting machine. But the CZ, now there is a beautiful, well finished little gun, and a joy to carry and shoot.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:09:32 AM »

My favorite is my Ruger M77V, older tang safety Centennial model, in .25-06. Topped with a Burris 6-24x 44mm scope this is the most accurate .25-06 of the three I own. Lawdog

IowaBuckHunter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:36:37 AM »

hey jeepman- the proper way to measure a group is from outside edge to outside edge, .147 is impossible to get with a .24 cal bullet.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2005, 11:17:34 AM »

IowaBuckHunter...

I was taught to measure outside to outside and then subtract the diameter of the bullet. The other method is measuring center to center of the two fartherest holes. Two shooting buddies are here with me now and they measure the same as I do. I stand to be corrected but I have been using these methods for a long time. This also the way everyone at the local range measures their groups. Am I missing something here?

Ramrod · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:19:16 PM »

The common and proper way to measure a group is center to center. All the gun rags do it this way, and it has been the N.R.A. approved method for about 100 years. Since it is impossible to determine the center, it is done exactly as bigjeepman has described. Subtracting the bullet diameter allows for half the distance from center on each side of the group, and gets the measurement you are after.
Oh, and did I mention that I love my little CZ? And the groups are twice as large as my Remington.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:53:07 PM »

Ramrod ...

Thanks for your reply ... there for a second, I thought I was really missing out on something. No offense intended to anyone.

By the way, I did forget to mention I bought my son a CZ 452 in 17HMR for Christmas in 2002. People around here thought I was crazy getting a CZ rifle that no one had hardly even heard of. Well, I thought it was a very well built rifle besides the fact I think it is the most beautiful rifle I have ever seen. Want to take a guess how it shoots? Oh my! I have a Marlin 17V 17HMR of my own that I think is a pretty good shooter but the CZ puts it to shame. They are definately fine firearms.

Catfish · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2005, 02:31:18 PM »

I`ve got a .17 AH Contender with a Bullberry barrel. Best carry gun I ever had. Very lite, 1/4 moa groups not uncommon and point blank to abt. 290 yrds. with the 19 grn. Calhoon bullet and 10.4 grns. of H-4227. If I want to shoot on out to 400 yrds. or so I`ll get out a .204 or a .22-250, but if I`m going for a walk I`ll grab that little .17 AH 95% of the time.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2005, 01:42:25 AM »

I would have to go with my Browning A-bolt in .243.

gewehrfreund · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2005, 02:37:24 AM »

but right now it has to be my Ruger #1S in 218 Bee. This is about as much fun as most people should be allowed to have legally :grin: I haven't had much chance to work with a rechambered #1 in 222 Rem., and when I do, this may take over as the new favorite.

IowaBuckHunter · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2005, 10:41:26 AM »

I guess everyone has their own way of doing things, and they all work. turns out we just learn ways differently.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2005, 11:53:29 AM »

My sporterised Short Lee Enfield 25/303.
It ain't pretty, more of a beater actually.
It was my first centrefire and is still my main centrefire(only have 2).
Got it for $50 and spent about another $70 scoping it with an old Bisley Deluxe 3-9x40 a mate gave me for free.
It's just adequate on paper, at least for a .25 cal, but when I raise it to my shoulder and dab the crosshairs on a roo or goat the fat lady's already sung for that animal.
Strangely, some of my most dependable shooting with it has been done offhand, often from the back of a truck.
With a Sierra GameKing 90gn BTHP humming along at about 2700fps it's real happy.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2005, 04:39:58 PM »

Right now, my favorite is a model 7 in 7-08 with a vintage weaver K3 on it. However, I had a model 788 rebarrelled to .260 with a vintage weaver 2x7 that is closing fast.

Alaninga · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2005, 02:37:29 AM »

a Ruger 77 Mark II that I barrelled to .250 Savage Improved,,and especially my CZ 527 that was a hornet and has been a 17 Ackley Hornet for several years now. GREATEST varmint round I"ve ever shot, and I've shot a bunch of them.
Alan in GA.

akpls · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2005, 05:23:29 AM »

It's been a Remington 722 in .257 Roberts, but the Ruger 77 in .204 is catching up fast. :grin:

victorcharlie · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2005, 07:06:38 AM »

I've always liked the Ruger M77 heavy barrel .243......Alan....that .17 Ackley hornet has my attention! Would you please tell me more about it? I've been toying with the idea of a .17 centerfire after getting a .17 HMR......that hornet might just be the ticket.......why is it the greatest varmit round you've ever shot?

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2005, 07:53:38 AM »

My favorite and most fun is a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62X39, it's a great little rifle.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2005, 11:01:53 AM »

I'm not being picky, Dwarren and Beeman, but aren't 7.62, 7mm and .260 cal regarded as medium bores, at least on these forums?
Is there a cartridge/rifle you love for varminting?
7-08 and 2.60 Rem at least are capable medium to big game.

buffalobob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2005, 01:44:58 PM »

Rem 700 BDL in 17 Rem. Bought new 32 years ago. Still shoots 0.3 with no mods. Has no recoil, produces spectacular hits. Head shoot a squirrel and watch it swap ends as it flies out of the tree. Converts a crow into instant feathers. Actually fun to reload the little shells.

Coalminer7 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2005, 05:21:38 AM »

Got to go with a Rem .222 Classic with a 6.5 x 20 leopold on it. Was
thinking of selling for a .204, but have since seen the light. This gal
doesn't ask for much and have yet to miss anything I pointed it at.

JohnClif · « **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:37:07 PM »

Hmmm... I like my Kimber of Oregon 84 Ultra Varminter in .223 because it's incredibly accurate, not too heavy, is great for walking around, and it's really nice to look at when the coyotes won't cooperate. It also does a JOB on magpies... in the act of depredation, of course.

I also like my Browning Low Wall in .22 Hornet. This is the most accurate .22 Hornet I own and shoots 1/2" groups with the Hornady 35gr V-Max factory load (haven't had the time to work up a handload for it). What a beautiful, lighweight, accurate rifle.

The .19 Calhoon looks really interesting. I have a brand-new Browning Micro A-Bolt II in .22 Hornet that I haven't fired, and I'm thinking of getting it rebarrelled with a 24" stainless .19 Calhoon barrel. That should be the ultimate walking around rifle -- good out to at least 300 yards, and, boy, it's light!

I have a Ruger 77 Mk II stainless (first version w/o controlled round feed) that I 'replaced' with a Winchester 70 Classic Stainless... but the darn thing shoots 1/2 MOA with factory 100gr hunting bullets so I haven't had the heart to sell it. The Winchester is also damn accurate. I did sell my Ruger 77 Ultralite (original 77) because although it was gorgeous it gave me 1.5" groups at best at 100 yards. It was kind of like the beautiful girlfriend who hits on your buddies... you don't want to send her on her way but you know that unless you do you'll be in for nothing but heartbreak.

I guess the nod goes to the Kimber with the Low Wall being a close second. If I could find two women with the same qualities of attractiveness and performance who would want to be stuck with me, I'd consider moving to Utah!

jro45 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2005, 05:46:58 AM »

Wby 257 mag shoots tight groups. The other one is my Rem 700 22-250 can put 3 bullets inside a 1/2" circle at 200 yds.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2005, 03:18:38 PM »

Believe my favorite is a:

Marlin 17VSS HMR
Tac20 VVCG Encore barrel
Rem 788 22-250
Rem 700BDL 25-06 (woe the day I stupidly sold it!)

But then, I would probably like ANY accurate .25 & under, maybe even an
accurate .270!!!

Did I say "a"??

Don Fischer · « **Reply #24 on:** March 31, 2005, 03:05:10 PM »

I would have to say my 700 ADL in 25-06. But year's ago I had an L461 Sako in 222 that was a peach. One of the one's you hate yourself for letting go 3 sec. after the deal!

cal sibley · « **Reply #25 on:** July 07, 2005, 08:28:48 AM »

For pure enjoyment there's nothing that gives me the pleasure of my .222Rems. I have a Sako Varminter and a Rem. 40XBBR and both are top notch, delightful to shoot. There are times when the odd shot may be a little beyond reach, but that's not too often. That woodchuck gets to live until another day. Maybe on that day I'll have the .22-250 with me so his lifespan won't increase by much. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Lawdog · « **Reply #26 on:** July 07, 2005, 09:19:54 AM »

Cal,

Quote

That woodchuck gets to live until another day. Maybe on that day I'll have the .22-250 with me so his lifespan won't increase by much. Best wishes.

Excellent way of putting it and so very true. Lawdog

Atomic Chicken · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2005, 10:45:24 PM »

Greetings!

Hmmm.... My favorite small bore rifle is a Ruger 77 All Weather .243 Win. with Bushnell 3200 Mil-Dot 10x Scope. It just works... and works well. Love the caliber too... truly exceptional performance and accuracy, and the flattest shooting cartridge I've ever used.

Best wishes,
Bawko

Lone Star · « **Reply #28 on:** July 08, 2005, 02:07:37 AM »

My favorite small bore? My Ruger #1 with 26" Jarrett barrel chambered to .257 Weatherby, 3-9x Burris and B&C stock. It isn't pretty by any means but shoots into 1/2 moa, is 100% dependable and is easy to carry in the field without worring about getting it dirty. For show my favorite is the MkV in .257 with Leupold 4.5x14. Doesn't shoot quite as tight but is still very satisfying.

BTW, BR shooter fire groups smaller than 0.22 inches all the time with .243" bullets. The convention is to measure center-to-center of the widest shots. This is far better than the old "string" method used by the NRA and many other associations in the 19th century. Talk about complex!

Little Magnum · « **Reply #29 on:** July 10, 2005, 06:08:31 PM »

Rem 788 222 rem with a BL 3000 4-12x, that shoots in .2's