looking for a good varment rifle/ long range rifle looking for some imput i like the 17hmr but was also told the 308 varmint rounds are good
IMHO a .223 with 18"-20" HBAR will do you just fine. Bolt or Semi you can't go wrong.:thumb:
A 1/7 twist with 52gr or 55gr should be a good match but even a 1/8 or 1/9 will still work great.
The .223 is a very good, accurate round with plenty of takedown power @ 200yds +, LOTS of options/upgrades and you can build it yourself to make it exactly what you want.
That being said I am pretty partial to the .223/5.56
I love both of mine! My 16" NATO does just fine hitting a 5x5 plate @ 250 yds with crap ammo.
Sometime when funds allow I want either have a .300 wsm built or a 7mm wsm built.
Why the WSM stuff? Why not just stick with the "traditional" cases? IMO, the WSM cases are a "solution" to a non-problem... JMO. I have a Browning BAR-II in 7mm Mag with a BOSS on it and it shoots like a dream. With handloads, I was able to get about a 3/8" group @ 100yd.
I have not tested it personally, but isn't a 1/7" twist ideal for heavier bullets (77gr-ish)? Not that it shouldn't perform just fine with 55gr-ish bullets. Never heard anybody recommend a 1/7" for lighter bullets and say a 1/8" or 1/9" "will still work great." That seems backwards.