Just itching to get a new rifle & caliber.

[Bullcat]

OK guys, I own a .17hmr and a .223. I`m looking at replacing the HMR with either the new .17 hornet or the .17 wsm for rabbits, hares and foxes. Which would be the better caliber?

I`d like to keep the .223 or either replace it with a 22/250. Whats your thoughts on this.

If I kept the .223 and got a bigger caliber for fallow deer and roos, would you recomend a 270 or a 25-06?

I dont reload as I dont shoot often enough and cost of ammo is not an issue.

One more question... What cheap rifle under the $700 mark would you go for in the centre fire. I was looking at the Savage Axis.

[adamjp]

17 Hornet and 17 WSM are the same caliber (17 cal) but are very different cartridges.

As for the rest, I'd keep your 223 and option up with something like a 243, 25/06 or 260Rem / 6.5x55. Plenty of power for Fallow out to 300m with any of those rifles.

For $700 (rifle only) I'd suggest a Howa or Ruger American, but even more I suggest a better quality used rifle.

[Camel]

Yeah, bugger getting rid of the hummer, get another rifle, as Adam said any of the mid calibers will do the job on our ferals, they arent that tough if you hit em in the right bit. Check out a 25 Super, 308 necked down to 25 cal, I always reckoned they would be a pretty god cartridge for this country.

[Chrispy]

Still a few Stevens 200's around NIB for 350-500. Can't do better than an old model Savage that came out the side door.

Chrispy

[Con]

Your in Vic, so go 270Win to cover all deer species. There's a Stevens 200 for under $400 that someone should buy off Usedguns before I do something silly.

As for varmint guns, feed the 223Rem 40gr pills or 35gr non-lead and you wont need a 22/250.
Cheers...
Con

[Bullcat]

Your in Vic, so go 270Win to cover all deer species. There's a Stevens 200 for under $400 that someone should buy off Usedguns before I do something silly.

As for varmint guns, feed the 223Rem 40gr pills or 35gr non-lead and you wont need a 22/250.
Cheers...
Con

Any ideas on how a .223 will perform with a 35g or 40g pill i.e. what would I need to sight it in at? What would it MPBR be? Would it be good for foxes and roos?

[Brad Y]

I would keep the 17HMR and 223 if your happy with how they shoot, get a 270 for your deer shooting and maybe a 22lr for some fun. Everyone needs a 22 for cheap plinking fun and they are still the biggest bunny killer across OZ I reckon. Keep your 223 with 40 or 50gr bullets, dont go the 35's they drop and drift too much at longer range as most of them are designed with dumpy profiles for the hornet and bee cases. A 40 or 50gr nosler BT out of a 223 will do well on longer rabbits, foxes, cats etc, kangaroos if you have a permit of course. Plus if you ever got into goat country the 55gr sierra super roo is a cheap and a good bullet for them.

[Con]

Have a look at the Nosler 35gr non-lead BT, and Hornady's equivalent. Nothing short nor dumpy about them, and loaded appropriately I bet its damn close to original 220Swift speeds with a projectile of equivalent BC to the original Swift 46gr load.

I'd happily run nothing but 40gr BTs through a 223Rem for foxes and varmints.
Cheers...
Con

[stinkitup]

Others have said most of it. I shoot a 222 rimmed martini that only likes the lighter pills. 40gr nosler bt's will flatten a fox,cat and your 223 should have another 200fps than my loads. I haven't hit a dog with em but good placement would do the trick. I am organising some 45grain barnes tsx's to try as these should do the job on dogs, goats small pigs. If your 223 will shoot 50gr nosler ballistic tips or 53gr vmax they will stop most things.

270 win or 308 win especially if your buying ammo, lots of choices in 308 from ballistic tips to woodleighs.

Ryan

[Bullcat]

Thanks guys...