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I'm loooking at hnr's varmint rifles, I cant decide on the caliber. I inherited a case of 222 handloads so that was my first choice. However the 22-250 , 223 and the 243 still interest me witha lil more versatility and more power. Is a case of handloads reason enuff to buy a new caliber?
For me, a box of empty brass is enough to try a new cartridge, as long as I can find dies for it. I am definitely not a HandiRifle fan, though even I will readily admit that they are generally pretty accurate if you can live with their horrible triggers and are lucky enough to get one that doesn't shoot itself loose within a hundred rounds.
I just picked up a CVA Optima single shot in .243 for the purpose of bustin coyotes. I have already installed a Millet 4-16x56 mildot sight on it. I have yet to fire it, waiting on the weather to warm up a bit. I did considerable reading, and in my opinion this is a great way to go. You can load all the way down to a 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and shoot really flat past what a 223 or 22-250 can do. Or, you can load up to around 105 grain bullet and still have enough power for deer or elk. Just my 2 cents, but best of luck on whatever your choice may be.
I own a h and r varmint rifle in 223, this rifle with handloads will shoot under an inch at 300 yards, no problems with it. I am shooting gophers at 387 yards with it, it is a great rifle for $300
Have one in 25 06 and it is very accurate.
Doubt if youare going to find a cheap 222 in this day and age to shoot up your case of inherited ammo.....Just how much is your case 500 rds. or more??Your search might go on quite awhile before you find a 222 rifle you can afford. In the mean time there are some low end 223's that shoot pretty good. I have my clunker 788 Rem. that nobody thought much of when they were produced. Now they are desireable and just as expensive as a new 700 or 110 Sav.If you had time to burn you can make 222 cases from 223 milt. brass if you can find an endless source.....But I think the 223 in a 200 Stevens would be the way to go both $$ and cents wise. I understand they heat up and tend to wander abit but for a repeating coyote type rifle they would be cheap to shoot and perform well. I see all the TV coyote hunters prefer the 6mm for windy long range conditions. I do shoot a Ruger #3 for deer hunting on occasion in 4570 and find I can shoot a 2nd shot pretty quick if need be (usually not necessary)....just my HO..afish4570:animal29::animal29:
Here back east for chuck hunting 39 yrs. or so ago, I decided I had to have a 22-250....Well the law physics burning 21 or so grs. of powder in a 222 compared to 38 grs. in a 22-250 produces alot more NOISE. So I came back from behind the barn and my ex father in law said,What in creation were you shooting????It making the cow lay down too low, use your little gun thats not to bad. Shortly he too had a 22-250, which we didn't shoot around the cows....HA!!HA !! Which brings to mind why I always wanted a SS, H&R type gun in 22 Hornet if you can live with the reduced power for your needs. For a gun requiring only 7 or 8gr of powder it is very efficient and cheap to shoot, quiet--for the neighbors too. Range might not be good enough for you though. Food for thought.afish4570:animal38::animal38:
I still see some CZ 527's out there occasionally. Also occasionally see a Remington 788 in .222 Rem. I think either would make a great team with your inherited ammo. and yes, a case of inherited ammo is good enough reason to get a rifle to go with it.
EJ