Second Heavy Varmint rifle 22-250 or 6.5mm

[TD-Max]

I latched onto a NIB Sako Varmint Lam SS 22-250 to match my .204. In chatting with Rick in Oregon I kind of determined that a 6.5mm would be a good choice to have for breezy conditions. My trouble now is do I rebarrel immediately and save or sell the new old tube or keep it and put it away?

My present lineup is:

Light caliber heavy gun: Sako Varm Lam SS set trigger .204
Light caliber light gun: Rem LVSF .204

I haven't done extensive testing with the LVSF, but what I have seen so far tells me it can shoot the same loads as the Sako with very good accuracy. Some day I may cut back the chamber and re-ream both so magazine loads can get to the lands, but for now they both shoot awesome.


Med caliber light gun: Sako Synth SS in .260 Rem w/Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 My Deer rifle and walking varminter.
Med caliber heavy gun: Sako Varm Lam SS set trigger 260 rem?


Thought here was to potentially rechamber to 260AI and maybe find some loads that work in both. Problem is, the SS unit already shot a sub 1/2" group with Nosler factory loads off of a BR pivot bench. Not sure I want to mess with success here. This would mean I would likely forgo the AI modas I don't want to have issues with crossing up brass.

Worst part about this is that Sako makes the gun I want in .260 but Beretta doesn't import this one...

[Mike]

If it were me, I'd focus on my shooting needs first and not let the superb accuracy of the new Sako cloud my judgement.

Does a .22-250 really add anything to your arsenal? Is it going to help you in the breeze more than your .204? From my limited experience shooting a .22-250, I would say no.

It seems like you really want a 6.5mm and the only reason you're torn is because of the accuracy of the .22-250. Knowing that, it really comes down to whether you want to keep the .22-250 and then add a 6.5mm to the stable or sell the .22-250 to fund a 6.5mm.

[TD-Max]

What I am contemplating is whether to leave as a 22-250 and shoot it for a while then rebarrel OR rebarrel right away. Then do I sell the 22-250 barrel or keep it? The newly acquired Sako 22-250 (unfired except for factory testing) would be the foundation for the project.

I do have a lot of 22-250 brass/bullets and some hand loads left over from a Howa that I sold. Maybe I should try to find another Sako like this in 243 or 308 and rebarrel it keeping the '250 provided it shoots well.

On the other hand I guess I could just roll the dice on a Kimber...

[iKonic Status]

Hi TD-Max

Personally I would go with the 6.5mm for the windy conditions and long-range shots...you can have some fun wacking those little rat buggers all the way out to 1000yards (if you can still see them at that distance ).

Sako do the Sako 75 Synthetic Stainless in 6.5x55 swede. If Beretta won't import the Varmint Laminated Stainless in .260rem I would get the swede. Lovely cartridge, mild recoil and damm accurate!!!

Regards

Kon

[TONK]

I built one of those 6.5/06's after having so much good fortune with a .338/06 rifle I put together prior. I can always get plenty of 06 cases at our gunclub and the price is dirt cheap....2 Beers!

I like the idea of having a dual purpose long range predator rifle for coyotes and still be able to hunt whitetail deer or mule deer with the rifle out West. I was also told that using those 160 grain bullets in the dark timber would make it a great canidate for elk as well but school is still out on that idea. I do have the .338-06 and that just seems to be a much better road to follow for elk in my eyes.

I have yet to do any real long range shooting with the rifle, October was like a our rainy season here in my state and then the bird season came up on us so quick and that takes much more of my time away from other want to do projects. I am hoping that this rifle does well far down range with my handloads. Cheer's

[TD-Max]

Looks like time is going to force my decision. Not a lot of time to get a new rig rebarreled so I'll likely leave as a 22-250 and pick up the 260 quest later. Maybe a different platform altogether like a Kimber.

Figure if it gets windy I could snap off a few with my deer rifle just to prove a point...

[Captqc]

TD, I've found that when the wind is up I let my .204 rest and bring out the 22-250. The heaiver pill will drop more than the .204 but it will also buck the wind. I do agree that the 6.5mm will out perform the 22-250 but as they say, use what you've got! Gary

[giterdone]

Gary....I use the 60 grain Sierra in my (Win. 1885 Highwall 28"bbl.) .22-250 and it put 4 shots into .75" at 300 yards today (Nosler Brass) so I think I am ready for my N.Y. state groundhog shooting trip comming up in three weeks. I prefer the heavier (60gr.) bullet on ground hogs if you are shooting at 300yds of more. The .204's are being saved for sod poodles in Kansas this year.

[Ray P]

Here I go again putting in my .02 Heaviest good match bullet per caliber! If your going to varmint hunt on the othe side of 500 yards. Sako is what your after go with the 6.5 Swede. If your going to re-barrel.......I opt for for 6.5-06
Again just my .02
Good luck on your choice.
Later
Ray P

[Rick in Oregon]

Ray: Don't think the 6.5-06 would fit in a AII Sako receiver (22-250 size)....would that not take the long action? (AIII). Excellent LR caliber though.

[TD-Max]

So what is the go-to bullet for the 22-250 with a 1:14 twist? My Howa never shot all that well. Likely the gun, but could also be related to die issues that I have had.

I've had such darn good luck with the Sierra BK in the 204, but does that hold true to the '250? Can I get away with a 60gr in the 1:14 twist?

[giterdone]

Yes...You can use the Sierra 60gr. Varminter bullet in a 1-14 twist in the .22-250. Load it to 3500-3600 fps. Ballistic Coefficient is .271..... zero in your rifle @ 300yds.

[TD-Max]

Scratching my head over 6.5mm bullet selections for varmints I have to ask myself why I ended up thinking the 6.5mm for varmints? Looks like I should be doing something like a 6mm Rem AI.

And of course I'll keep the 22-250 set up as is. Just not enough time any more to mess with it.

I have 40, 50, and 55BK's here. I'll have to look at ordering some 60's.

[Captqc]

TD, I have the prefect solution for you! Just box up that nasty Sako and send her to me! I'll put some serious loving on her! Gary

[Rick in Oregon]

TD: I warned you about this guy! See now why I hide my rifles at night while we're all sleeping during a rat shoot? Imagine dried drool all over your rifle in the morning, and it's not even YOUR drool!

(I'm glad he's got a new Cooper of his own on this trip! I'll let you know how it all works out....... )