long range varmint rifle

[bigandrich44]

I say a .243 Remington 700. I got one, and lemme tell you, you hit a yote or prarie dog at 300 yards, and he'll go *POOF*. Gone, Plus It can double as a deer cartridge, and will do heavy duty on coyotes. I would get the best glass you can afford, free float the action, glass bed it, then stick a Macmillian Tact. Stock on it. Put a Harris Bipod on it, and your set.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by mosin_sniper

hey guys. since you guys have been so helpful with some of my other questions, i thought i might ask you for your opinions on a project i am thinking about undertaking over the next year. i had been thinking about setting up a long range target/varmint rifle. now i know that there are plenty of such quality rifles to be bought on the market already, but i thought that building up the system myself would give it the personal value that you can only get when you do something yourself.

here's what i'm thinking so far:

1. i'd like the base to be modifiable from the beginning

2. the caliber i choose needs to be able to be effective against small vermin (woodchuck, hare, squirrel) and still be able to produce effective results to larger predators (coyotes, ferel dogs, the IRS guys...just kidding)

3. maximum effective range should be at least 400 yards

As of right now, those are some things i am considering for this project. if you have any input, i would certainly appriciate it.

I just bought a Bushmaster "Varminter"

It is a .223 Caliber with a pretty good range up to 800 yards. Probably more if you are a really skilled shooter... You can also use the military 5.56mm NATO rounds, which pack more powder, FPS and punch...

This rifle is modifiable from the 2-stage, adjustable, competition trigger to the lower-receiver to the barrel. So, it should fit your bill of being modifiable. You can order all the parts from Bushmaster Firearms,Rifles, AR15, AR-15,Rifles, Guns, AK47, SKS, MINI14,MINI30, .22CAL, .223 CAL, SHOTGUN, ASSAULT RIFLE, COPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT,MILITARY RIFLES, M16, FULL AUTO, AUTO SEAR, UPPER RECEIVER,TRIGGER directly if you want to build it yourself. You will need an FFL dealer to order the Lower-Reciever for you, however, or find one that has it in stock. But, if you ever decide you want a carbine, you can swich out the stock, the bolt assembly and barrel and have yourself a carbine. Very modifiable...

Check out a really good review here:

Bushmaster's New "Varminter" Rifle

This rifle is used by Sniper units within some of the SWAT teams around the country.

It is probably a bad way to promote this rifle, but this is also the rifle which was used by the "DC Snipers" in Virginia and...hmm, was it one of the Carolinas...?

This is also semi-automatic, so if you don't hit on the first shot, the next round is ready for immediate fire. Most states/counties allow up to 20-round magazine. Others will allow up to 30-rounds. Members of the Military and Police can buy a 50, 60 and 90 round magazine. I have found that, when scoping from prone or bench position and using a bipod, that the 20-round scope offers the necessary space beneath the rifle to effectively find the target. Anything larger often scrapes the ground or table when using a bipod and can disadvantage your scoping of the target.

This rifle isn't cheap, however, at around $1000. And, it is sometimes hard to come by because of the War in the Middle-East, due to Bushmaster supplying some of Special-Ops troops with the AR15-style carbines.

It was the only one available in gun shops in my area, but it can be ordered by your vendor through Bushmaster directly, if they deal in Bushmaster arms and if Bushmaster has them readily available.

Hope this helps.

[frozentorso]

I bought a Bushmaster Predator and love it. It has a 1/8 twist for the heavier bullets. I use 75 gr. Hornady Match. I've only shot it on a 100 yard range and have it zeroed 2" high at 100. Last weekend I took it to the ranch and paced off 200 yards and left a small Gatorade bottle with a couple of inches of liquid left in it to keep it standing for a target. I shot about 12 rounds at it over the hood of my truck and thought I missed because it never moved. When I picked it up, Gatorade dripped all over me from the 8 hole's it had in it. I am impressed.

[lefty o]

ive also got the varminter, and if i were to do it again i would get something with a 1-8 twist barrel. out past 500yds the wind really affects the lighter bullets that the 1-9 twist barrel prefers. the lighter bullets are heck on prarie dogs out to 500 though.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by lefty o

ive also got the varminter, and if i were to do it again i would get something with a 1-8 twist barrel. out past 500yds the wind really affects the lighter bullets that the 1-9 twist barrel prefers. the lighter bullets are heck on prarie dogs out to 500 though.

You can have a local FFL order a blank varminter barrel from Bushmaster and have them custom turn it to 1:8

[lefty o]

i can get a blank from shilen or lilja too. it will wait for a few thousand more rounds.

[frozentorso]

Just buy the Bushmaster Predator upper. It's 1/8.

[lefty o]

cheaper to rebarrel it myself. when the time comes.

[frozentorso]

Really? I've got some learnin' to do.